Ramos and Lopez Shine in $5,000 EAF Grooms Classic Presented by Shapley’s

Winning jumper groom Nelson Ramos with Sally Stith-Burdette of Shapley's (left) and EAF Board member and class organizer Missy Luczak-Smith (center). Photo by ShowFolio/Cathrin Cammett

 

Jul. 30, 2025– Blowing Rock, NC – Nelson Ramos and Nicolas Lopez topped a field of 21 entries to win their respective divisions in the $5,000 Equestrian Aid Foundation Hunter-Jumper Grooms Classic at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show on Sunday. Ramos won the class’s jumper division with Zara HBZ Z, a 2018 Zangherseide mare owned by Kalli Core. Lopez won hunter honors with Whit’s End, a 2012 Welsh Pony owned by Elizabeth Petrilli.

 

Winning hunter groom Nicolas Lopez with Sally Stith-Burdette of Shapley's (left) and EAF Board member and class organizer Missy Luczak-Smith (center). Photo by ShowFolio/Cathrin Cammett

The class was presented by Shapley’s, with generous underwriting support from Ellen Weaver and EAF Board member Missy Luczak-Smith. An avid amateur hunter rider, Luczak-Smith has organized and sponsored the annual EAF grooms class at Blowing Rock for 13 years. “More often than not, the pride and professionalism of our industry’s grooms is completely behind the scenes,” said Luczak-Smith. “The grooms class is a wonderful way to honor the wealth of knowledge, skill, and dedication these men and women bring to our sport. They deserve their day in the ring.”

 Left to right: Walter Gonzalez and Commander in Chief; judge John French; and Victor Ramirez and Viva Mas. Photo by Luczak-Smith

Walter Gonzalez, a groom at Mike Rosser’s Reynard’s Ridge, echoed Luczak-Smith’s sentiment. “I like thegrooms class because someone recognizes what we do for the horses,” he said. Gonzalez placed second in Sunday’s class. In addition to cash prizes awarded to all class participants, champions in each category received a custom raincoat from The Clothes Horse and a commemorative framed photo by show photographer Cathrin Cammett. Each participating groom also received a generous supply of Shapley’s grooming products.

Full Class results are published below, and further class details are available at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show website.