Logic dictates that knowing a horse on the ground would help riding the horse, no? However, there are certainly elite grooms who do not ride at the level of their uber-talented charges. Also, a rider can compete successfully out of a valet-service barn, without having the slightest clue of what happens under the hood. I read about a Big Name Horse whose rider described him one way, yet his groom described a completely different horse.
In my own life, I successfully groomed Crazy Jumper Mare for years before I was able to pilot her. With Previous Horse, I was sufficiently assertive on the ground but melted into a push-over in the saddle.
Still, it can’t hurt.
The biggest problem? Having “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets … ” from Damn Yankees and “Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl …” from Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” cavorting in my head as dueling earworms.
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Virtual Brush Box 
Couple of thoughts: Tory wasn’t really crazy, just opinionated. And you’re missing the best trot-rhythm “Lola” song – the one by the Kinks (I think it was the Kinks) from the 80s called “Lola”. I don’t remember the exact reference, but one of the early phrases was “where the champagne tastes like cherry cola”. Good 2/4 tempo and on topic.
Doh!
Was it the Kinks?
Yup.