Susan O’Hara stepped down from the office of president of the Groom Elite horsemen’s education training program on Wednesday.

O’Hara will remain on the group’s board of directors as secretary/treasurer while former secretary/treasurer Tommy Azopardi will succeed O’Hara as president.

The Groom Elite Program is a ten-week training program operated by the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership that certifies stable employees in horse handling skills and equine care.

O’Hara founded Groom Elite in 2001 during her tenure as a director of the Texas Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. The program has been conducted in 15 different states and has certified over 700 grooms.

“The Elite Program has moved faster and farther than anyone could have ever expected,” said O’Hara. “With this forward momentum, I felt that even more new ideas could evolve from new leadership. Tommy Azopardi has been active from the inception and was the natural replacement.”

Frank Petralmo, Virginia HBPA Executive Director, will serve as Groom Elite’s new vice president.