Crossword Genius

Groom on time in equestrian event (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dressage

'equestrian event' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'groom on time' is the wordplay.
'groom' becomes 'dress' (dressing is a kind of grooming).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'dress'+'age'='DRESSAGE'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for dressage that I've seen before include "equestrian routine" , "Equestrian sport of manoeuvring" , "Olympic event" , "Training for competition" , "Art of training horses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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