A life-long love of horses and a dedication to teamwork has earned Lee McKeever his place alongside McLain Ward — and in the hearts of everyone in the sport.
By any standard, 2018 was a good year for Lee McKeever, who has served as three-time Olympic medalist McLain Ward’s groom and barn manager for over 30 years.
He was over the moon to see the Team take Gold and McLain take Individual Fourth in show jumping at last year’s World Equestrian Games. “That was huge,” says Lee. And then, at year’s end, came an honor Lee never expected: He was voted FEI Best Groom.
It’s a rare moment in the limelight for a man who spends most of his time behind the scenes, caring for McLain Ward’s prized equestrian partners.
And, it was especially meaningful to Lee because the award was based on votes. “After working all your life, to get an award like that … that was voted on by everybody, it was just huge. It was a real honor.”
Lee is excessively humble. And, arguably, it’s one of the keys to his success all these years. It’s just never been about him. “For me, it’s never been a job. It’s just a way of life,” says Lee, adding “Love plays a big part.”
For Lee, the horses always come first. Because, to him, “they’re not just horses. They have likes, dislikes, distinct personalities … and you [the groom] have to be able to pick up on that. Really, they’re just like people.”
Lee was born in Ireland. He started riding lessons at age 10. Eventually, he left school and started grooming in Ireland. “I was going to go to Switzerland, but my friend Jimmy Doyle told me to come to America—and I never left,” chuckles Lee. Lee’s first job when he arrived at age 18 was for McLain’s father, Barney.
Lee McKeever, with one of his many “favorites,” McLain Ward’s show jumping superstar, Clinta.
And today, he says, it’s a great honor to work with McLain: “He’s a great horseman. We work well together. We communicate well. We’re both on the same page, have the same goals. It plays a big part. I think it’s why we’ve worked together so long.”
But for Lee, the greatest joy for him all these years has been watching the horses grow and develop, seeing them get to the top of the sport. He’s especially excited to see HH Azur (Annie) back on the scene after a muscle injury last year in Aachen: “Hopefully we’re going to move forward and get back to competing at the level we were at before.”
And no one is more of a team player than Lee McKeever, who downplays his own (important) role at every turn. “I think people would be surprised how much really goes into it, how much everybody puts into it on a whole team level behind the scenes. Getting into the ring is probably the easiest part … it’s getting to that point, that’s where the real work is.”
And Lee’s right, it takes a whole team — from the rider and horse, to grooms like him, to those like you, who help support it all through the United States Equestrian Team Foundation.
“It’s like if you’re a race car driver,” says Lee. “To be successful, you have to have a good pit crew.”
Outside of horses, Lee enjoys working out and spending time with this family. Though, in truth, that usually involves horses, too. His wife is in the business, and his daughter, Baylee, also rides. She recently got her first junior hunter and equitation horses. Lee says his wife grooms for her, and someone else coaches. Lee just watches. “It’s easier that way,” he says with a smile.
At shows Lee is famous for pacing the sidelines, taking each jump with McLain. He starts a show with one ringtone, and if things don’t go well — he changes it. Same with clothes. He takes time finding the lucky spot to watch from. At the heart of his superstition is that he wants it all to go well … for the horses, for the team, for everybody.
