Page 45 - November 2015

Reid has adapted Elite Program classes to include both classroom and hands-on learning custom-tailored for various situations
Following completion of an Elite module, students are better equipped to handle the requirements of their chosen equine activity or profession. “The course is informationally dense,” says Jon. “Students frequently go into the program somewhat naïve about what the skill sets are and when they come out the other side, especially if they go the full gamut of the program, they’ve learned a huge skill set. They’ve put in a lot of hours and dedicated a lot of time during their regimen of a full-time schedule in order to succeed. And, the more they’ve learned, the better they feel about themselves and the less apprehension they feel. It’s an amazing thing to see.”
Reid counts his biggest success as the continued operation of the Elite Program. “I’ve had the support of the local and national HBPAs to establish and continue the program and decide it’s something that should be in the horse racing industry,” he says. “We want to ensure that long after I’m gone, there will be opportunities for grooms and others to take better care of the horses they work with — to give them a better quality of life and a better chance to win races. And, we want to provide life-changing experiences for these grooms
and inmates and others. Teaching the material isn’t what does it. It’s applying it in a practical situation and it’s the horses that are changing their lives.”
His Personal Life
In between teaching, fund raising and winning over professional horsemen who may not want their grooms learning things other than the way they want them taught, Reid manages to find a bit of time to spend at home with his wife, Audrey, an equine photographer. They enjoy watching football, taking care of their horses, visiting Reid’s mom and children (accountant Noelle, certified financial planner Reid B., and racehorse assistant trainer Brett) and five grandchildren, and binge-watching their favorite TV shows, which Audrey records while Reid’s on the road. They also plan to close on a house and five acres in Stanford, Kentucky, in late 2015, where Reid looks forward to spending time.
But even at home, Reid stays involved in teaching. “If I have a question, I can e-mail him anytime and he’ll get back to me,” says Chris. As he has for the past 35 years or more, Reid McLellan keeps tapping his knowledge bank to fill a need.
For more information about the Elite Program, visit www.groomelite.com/groom. shtml.
The Gulfstream Park 2013 Groom Elite 201 graduating class with Dr. Reid McLellan (left) and Chris Rohrbach (right).
Above: Reid (center) with his five grandchildren (from left) Carson Reid, Charlotte, Alex, Audrey Leigh and Georgia.
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