You’re currently world number eight, you have a superstar horse in Monaco, and you’ve enjoyed a fantastic 2025 season. How would you describe this period of your career?

HS: I must say it’s gone surprisingly well. I didn’t expect that I would have such a good year. In the past year, I lost five 1.60m horses due to sales or retirement, and my string at the moment is probably a little bit small. But Monaco had his best year, Bingo has been very well, and Mr. Tac also had a great year. 


You won the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva last year in memorable style. Does that victory stand out as a career highlight?

HS: Yes, definitely. I must say that last year’s win was like a milestone for Monaco, and in our career, it was a highlight. He has been second many times in his career, and he had never won a 5* Grand Prix, so for the first one to be a Rolex Grand Slam Major was an amazing feeling, as CHI Geneva is such a prestigious show. So, to have that win on Monaco’s list is an amazing thing. Then afterwards, it was kind of like a breakthrough, because this year he won another three 5* Grands Prix, so it was really a turning point. 


You've got an exceptional CV – three Olympic Games, multiple Nations Cup victories, Dutch Rider of the Year honours, and World Championship team gold – where does your Rolex Grand Slam Major win rank among your achievements?

HS: As an individual result, it’s probably one of the best ones. It's a memory that will last forever. To win one Rolex Grand Slam is very difficult as the level is so high. Everybody is focusing on these four occasions every year, so I’m very proud to have at least one on my list. 


You recently said of Monaco and CHI Geneva: “We will only go if Monaco tells me he feels good and ready.” You’re both here – how is he feeling, and how confident are you in his current form?

HS: Like I just said, this year he had his best year out of his career, and that started here, at Geneva, last year. This year he’s been second a few times, but he also won three other 5* Grands Prix. This [CHI Geneva] is going to be his last show of the year and he will then get a little bit of a break. And then hopefully next year we can again focus on the Rolex Grand Slam and The Dutch Masters, and he will tell us what he wants. He doesn’t owe us anything anymore, and he will decide how his career is going to go. I’ve already had multiple good horses in my career, but he is probably the best one. 


Looking ahead, could you tell us about some of your exciting younger horses, such as Estrello and Davino?

HS: I have a few older horses – Bingo is 16 now, and Monaco is 14, turning 15. Mr. Tac is 13 turning 14. And then I have a little bit of a gap. There's a new generation coming up, with Estrello and Davino, and I have a few seven-year-olds behind them that look very promising. Hopefully my older string of horses can last another year or two, and then the next generation can step in. 


When you look beyond your competitive career, how do you see the next chapter of your life in the sport – and what advice would you give to young riders aspiring to reach the top?

HS: I would definitely like to have one more generation of horses. The beauty is always to work with horses that are outstanding and those that want to achieve – managing the process of their career is a beautiful journey. Besides that, I really enjoy finding the horses and the management side – developing them and being patient and successful. 

The advice I’d give for the younger generation is not to specify too early on show jumping. Before show jumping, I did cross-country, I did eventing, I did dressage. On the other hand, when you’re young I believe you should give lessons to other people. This makes you reflect more on yourself and your riding, and you become a better rider. 


Away from the intensity of top-level show jumping, what are your loves and passions outside the sport, and how do you like to switch off, unwind, and recharge when you’re not at the arena?

HS: We are very busy during the week – we have to find horses, we have to scout horses, we have to try horses, we have to develop them. We have to go to national shows. But besides all this, I like to follow other sports. I like to watch my son playing soccer, and two years ago we started snowboarding, so we do that a little bit. His passion isn’t horses, so I like to do other things with him.