André, you won the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen last year with your mare DSP Chakaria. How special was this victory to you, in front of your home crowd?

Winning the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen was probably the most special win I’ve had with DSP Chakaria. We’ve enjoyed a lot of success together, including winning the European Championships in 2021, being part of several Nations Cup-winning teams, and taking the Rolex Grand Prix at Piazza di Siena in Rome that same year – but winning in Aachen was something else.

The week Aachen itself was tough. I lost my Olympic place after having a pole down in each round of the Nations Cup on the Friday. So, to come back and win the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday really made up for all that disappointment. Doing it in front of my home crowd made it even more fantastic and unforgettable. Now I truly understand why everyone dreams of winning the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen.

DSP Chakaria is an incredible horse – what would you say her biggest strengths are, and why do you think she performed so well in the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen last year? 

Her experience really played a key role. She had already competed in big classes at Aachen as well as other top venues like Piazza di Siena in Rome and Falsterbo Horse Show, all on big grass arenas, so she was well prepared for the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen.

What makes Chakaria truly special is that she’s the complete package. She’s a championship horse – whether  on sand or grass, it doesn’t matter – she can perform on either surface when it counts. There is almost no weakness in her as a horse. She has a huge heart and is a horse that rises to the occasion in the sport’s most important moments – like the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen.

Do you plan to ride DSP Chakaria in the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen again this year? Will you be bringing any other horses with you?

I would absolutely love to ride Chakaria in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen again this year, but unfortunately she picked up a minor injury towards the end of last year. We had to give her time off, and while she’s almost ready to compete again, she’s not quite there yet for Aachen. It’s really disappointing, because having a horse with a real chance to win the Rolex Grand Prix or to jump in the Nations Cup for your country is rare.

However, next year the FEI World Championships will be held in Aachen, and that’s our big goal. So we’re taking things slowly to give her the best chance there.

I do have a very cool second horse – my up-and-coming Grand Prix horse, Paule S. He did well at Aachen last year and was impressive in the young horse class in 2023. He loves the big grass arena there. He also jumped in the Nations Cup at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, where the German team won. We’ve had some great results this year already – last week we won the Hamburg Derby. I am already pre-qualified for the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen this year, and Paule S will be the horse I ride. I really hope we can do well together.

How have you structured your training and competition schedule in the lead up to the CHIO Aachen?

After a short break, I prepared Paule S for the Hamburg Derby, which takes place in a big, famous grass arena. I am taking him to the CSIO4* in Sopot, Poland, and after that, we will have a couple of quiet weeks – just easy training and keeping him fit – before heading to Aachen.

There is nothing particularly special in our approach. Paule S has already been to Aachen twice and is very comfortable in the big grass arena. He’s jumped in plenty of big classes this year already, so it is just about keeping him fresh and ready.

How do you think the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has elevated the standard and global visibility of the sport?

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors are where the biggest stars in our sport come together. These Majors are what every top rider wants to win. The Rolex Grand Slam carries enormous prestige, and each of the four events – The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and the CHI Geneva – is so unique, which makes the whole series incredibly special.

When you aren’t riding horses, how do you spend your time?

When I’m not riding, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family. My kids are still in school, so I don’t get a lot of time with them, and when I am not on the road, I try to make the most of it.

If there is any time left after that, I love playing soccer, tennis, and table tennis. I enjoy all sports, and when I get the chance to play, it really helps me relax and switch off for a bit.

What is the best piece of advice you have received in your career?  

‘Stay calm and keep trying’. I am always very calm, so that advice, I took!