What makes Spruce Meadows such a special venue for you, and why do you continue to return year after year?

LD: I love being at Spruce Meadows. Simply being here and thinking about the history behind the venue gives me goosebumps.

Every time I have competed here, I have also enjoyed a special result. On my first visit, I won a class with Fit For Fun and then finished second in the Grand Prix. When I returned the following year, I won a class with her son, Camargo, and we also finished fourth in the Grand Prix.

There is such a warm atmosphere, and we are always made to feel incredibly welcome. It is also a very horse-friendly venue. The International Ring is beautiful and everything about Spruce Meadows feels special. I love attending this Major, and I am very happy to be here again this year. I have brought two new mares with me to prepare them for the future, and I hope that one day I can win the CPKC International ‘Grand Prix’, presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows with one of them.

The International Ring presents one of the greatest tests in the sport. What does a horse need to perform confidently and successfully in this arena?

LD: When you come to Spruce Meadows, you must be prepared for everything. For me, it is the most difficult show in the world. Shows like CHIO Aachen and or Dinard are also very special and demanding venues, but Spruce Meadows presents an even greater challenge for both horse and rider. The fences are enormous and wide, and the horses encounter every type of obstacle, including walls and planks. Anything you can imagine, you will find here.

I remember when I first said that I wanted to bring Fit For Fun here. People told me I was crazy as she was a small, light horse, almost like a Thoroughbred, and everyone believed that she would not cope with the scale of the venue.

Initially, I agreed. I was invited to Spruce Meadows but said that I would not come because I thought it would be too big for her. Then, while competing at the European Championships in Denmark, we had a fence down on the first day and did not proceed in the team competition. So suddenly, I thought: “Perhaps I should go to Spruce Meadows.”

The four Rolex Grand Slam Majors each possess a unique identity. What distinguishes these exceptional venues from one another?

LD: I love the concept of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. When it was first introduced, I immediately thought it was a fantastic idea and that Rolex had created something truly special for our sport. It began with three Majors before developing to include four, and each Major has something unique to offer.

CHIO Aachen is incredibly special because of its extraordinary tradition. I have lived close to Aachen for many years, so I consider it my second home. When I enter that arena, I feel that the spectators are supporting me as well as the German riders. The venue, the atmosphere and the public make it an exceptional experience. Aachen’s identity is rooted in its tradition and Germany’s position as one of the world’s great equestrian nations.

Spruce Meadows offers something completely different. For me, what makes it so special is the family behind its story. The Southern family built this venue with a clear goal and purpose, and it is beautiful to see how the family continues to stand together behind such an extraordinary project. That family story distinguishes Spruce Meadows.

The Dutch Masters offers another experience because it is an indoor event in the Netherlands, another country with an exceptional equestrian heritage.

Then there is CHI Geneva. Although it is held indoors, the arena makes you feel as though you are riding outside. For me, it is the best indoor show in the world and thoroughly deserves its place within the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. I love competing there, have won classes at the show and have also performed well in the Rolex Grand Prix. I have many wonderful memories from Geneva.

What advice would you give to a young rider aspiring to reach the highest level of the sport?

LD: The best advice I can give to any rider who wants to progress to the highest level is to follow your dreams, trust yourself and trust your intuition.

You must also build a strong team around you because that makes all the difference. You need the right horses and must become one with them, but the people behind the scenes are equally important. Your grooms, trainers, owners and family all contribute to your success.

Building that strong foundation is essential. For me, it is the key to achieving anything in life. It is also why I am developing a new application ‘Equestrian Match’ designed to help us create better connections with our horses and with the teams supporting us. Those relationships form the foundation upon which success is built.

You are renowned for the close emotional connection you share with your horses. How did that philosophy develop, and how does it influence your performance in the ring?

LD: My understanding of that connection began at the Olympic Games in Athens. My uncle who had cancer at the time was watching me on television, and afterwards he called and said: “Luciana, you were not smiling. There was no joy. You were at the Olympic Games, so you should have been happy and grateful.”

I realised that he was right. I had been riding, but I was not truly connected with my horse or with the occasion. From that moment, something changed within me. I decided that whenever I sat on a horse or entered an arena, I wanted to ride with joy.

My goal is to become one with my horse, but also with the arena and the place in which I am competing. When I enter the ring, the first thing I do is say: “Thank you for allowing me to be here. Thank you for my horse. We are going to have a wonderful round today.” When I halt to salute the judges, I speak to my horse again and tell them that we are going to have a good round.

I love talking to my horses because I can see that they hear me. I watch their ears and know that they are paying attention and understand that I am there.

Horses feel our energy. That is why I speak to them and try to bring positive energy into the partnership, but they also give that energy back to us. It is a two-way relationship in which we both feel good and give something to one another. For me, that is the secret of our sport.

Every rider has a different way of connecting with their horses, but when you see the greatest partnerships winning, they are always truly connected. Our purpose is to connect with the horse, the moment and the environment, and then give our best together.