What inspired you to take on the role of Sports Director at The Dutch Masters, and what are your main objectives?

This will be my first year as Sports Director at The Dutch Masters, so there will be some new aspects for me to navigate. However, I have been familiar with the event for a long time and understand how it is run. The Dutch Masters already has a strong foundation, which makes the transition into my role relatively seamless.

Of course, every individual tries to bring their own perspective and approach to a position, as do I. We have made a few adjustments to the programme, including some refinements to the schedule and the introduction of a new class – the HeadFirst Group Prize-Best of Champions.

Overall, my primary responsibility as Sports Director is to oversee the sporting programme and competition schedule. Additionally, I will liaise between the riders and the event organizers, to address any questions or concerns, and essentially ensure smooth communication between all parties involved.  

How do you plan to use your experience as an elite rider to enhance the event for both competitors and spectators?

I will draw on my experience as a rider, and having competed at many top competitions, to understand what works best for both riders and the organizers, as well as what engages spectators. One of my goals is to incorporate these insights in the best possible way.

Since this is my first year in the role, everything will be a little new for me. It will be an opportunity for me to observe, ask questions, and gain valuable insights from those who have been part of The Dutch Masters for a longer period time. I am very excited about this new challenge, and I hope my experience will be a valuable addition to the event as a whole.

The Dutch Masters has new class this year – the HeadFirst Group Prize-Best of Champions– what inspired you to create this class, and what do you hope to come from it?

The idea for the HeadFirst Group Prize-Best of Champions class came from Yvonne and myself. Yvonne is my assistant who helps my work a lot.

Our idea stemmed from the challenge of drawing a crowd on Thursday evening. As is common at many shows, the first few days can be more difficult to fill the stands compared to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, when attendance naturally increases. We were trying to think of ways to encourage spectators to come to the Thursday evening performance as much as possible, and from this challenge, Yvonne and I came up with the concept of the Best of Champions class.

This class features a horse rotation format, where the four selected riders will compete on each other’s horses. Having personally competed in this type of class multiple times in the past, I know from experience that it creates an exciting challenge for the riders and it is also highly engaging for spectators. Over the years, I have received a lot of positive feedback from audiences who found it exciting and interesting to watch and follow.

This will be the first time this class will take place at The Dutch Masters, and I truly hope it proves to be a success and gains popularity within the sport. If it does, we will certainly continue it in the future. If not, we will explore new ideas for next year. So far, the response from the riders we invited has been very enthusiastic, and we are very excited about it.

The Dutch Masters is one of the most prestigious indoor competitions – what makes it so special in your eyes, and how do you think The Dutch Masters has been elevated since it became part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2018?

I believe the Dutch Masters has already established itself as an exceptional event over the years. It has a long-standing tradition of top-level sport and has even hosted FEI World Cup™ Finals in the past, solidifying its status as a premier event.

Since Rolex became the Main and Title Sponsor of the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters in 2014, it helped the reach an even higher level of professionalism and prestige. Then since becoming part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2018, The Dutch Masters stands as one of the most elite events in the sport. Furthermore, the crowd at The Dutch Masters is not only enthusiastic but also deeply knowledgeable, with many equestrian professionals, breeders, and people passionate about horses filling the stands.

There is also a lot to see beyond the competition, behind-the-scenes at The Dutch Masters. It is a sophisticated and thrilling event, blending world-class sport with an elegant and engaging experience for all.

How does the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters compare to other top-level show jumping events?

I believe the most exciting part of the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters is its inclusion in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. This makes it a very exclusive class as there are only four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors.

If you compare it to tennis, where Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the other Grand Slam tournaments represent the pinnacle of the sport, I believe the four equestrian Rolex Grand Slam Majors hold the same level of prestige. They are organized by highly experienced professionals who understand the sport and what it takes to deliver world-class competition, making them, in my opinion, the very best events in our sport.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is one of the toughest challenges in the sport – what does it take to win?

Only the world’s best riders and horses have the ability to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – or even a Rolex Grand Prix at one of the four Majors. Achieving victory in a Rolex Grand Prix requires an extraordinary level of professionalism, dedication, and skill.

This is what makes the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping so exciting – only the very best, those at the top of the rankings, earn their place on the start list. This ensures that every Rolex Grand Prix is as competitive as a championship – maybe even more so. Winning demands everything from both horse and rider, making each victory a remarkable achievement.

Looking at this year’s competition, which riders and horse combinations do you think will be the ones to watch?

It would be incredibly exciting for the entire Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping if Harrie Smolders, as the current live contender, were to win the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. That would add another thrilling chapter to the story, making him a key rider to watch.

However, the rider that I think is in top form at the moment is Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington. He has been on an outstanding streak, winning many Grands Prix already this year. He will come to the show with Toulayna, who he has already won several big classes with this year. She is an extremely fast and agile horse, which is exactly what is needed in the arena at The Dutch Masters. Given that the arena is not huge, having a horse that is quick, responsive, and adaptable is crucial.

We also have last year’s Rolex Grand Prix winner, Willem Greve, who won with Highway TN N.O.P. He is also in good form, having won the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier in Leipzig earlier this year, so he is another one to watch.

That being said, the field is exceptionally strong this year. With so many top riders competing, almost anyone could take the win.

You’ve won Olympic, World, and European Championship titles – what has been the proudest moment of your career?

That is a good question, and it is difficult to say. Of course, winning the individual Olympic title in 2000 was important in my career and is probably the most prestigious title I have won. However, the victory I enjoyed the most was winning the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Final that took place in Caen in 2014. This included the Final four horse rotation class, which was run like the 'Best of Champions' class that we will have on the Thursday evening at the Dutch Masters. It was very exciting to be able to ride in this class as I had the opportunity to ride the four best horses in the world at that time. It is a title that I really enjoyed claiming, and that means a lot to me as a rider. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from your years at the top of the sport?

If I reflect on my own career, I believe the most important advice I could give to younger riders is that working with horses must be driven by passion. I have always loved to work with horses and I still love to work with horses. Not every horse will make it to the highest level of competition, but that should not matter. What matters most is the joy and fulfilment that comes from working with horses. Whether a horse reaches the top of the sport or not, the experience should still be rewarding.