‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – April 26, 2021 – After the heartbreak of having to announce the cancellation of 2020’s edition of The Dutch Masters, as a result of Covid-19, Director Marcel Hunze expresses his relief at this year’s show going ahead; how he believes the Rolex Grand Slam is helping to positively develop show jumping; and who he thinks will triumph in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix.
You must be delighted that this year’s edition of The Dutch Masters is going ahead, after last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19 and then this year’s postponement due to EHV-1?
We are thrilled to be running the event right now. It was a tough year due to Covid-19, particularly after the cancellation of 2020’s edition of The Dutch Masters in March, just one hour before the show was scheduled to start. We then had a tough time in March this year due to the Equine Virus (EHV-1), which we didn’t expect. But we never gave up and we’re here hosting an indoor event at the end of April 2021, so we and the riders are very happy – it’s great to be here!
How much hard work have you and your team had to put in to make this year’s edition of The Dutch Masters happen?
It was a very different type of preparation for this year’s show. We’re usually trying to attract as many spectators as possible, but this time we’ve been actively working very hard to keep people out! With the additional Covid-19 and EHV-1 protocols, we had to change the whole set-up, and with the postponement because of EHV-1, we had to start all over again, but thanks to a very enthusiastic team, we managed it, so all is good.
What are your hopes for the sport of show jumping this year?
I really hope that The Dutch Masters marks the new beginning of the global show jumping season, and that all of the other top shows are able to operate this year. It will undoubtedly be tough, but we are especially looking forward to the other Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping events being able to follow our lead.
How beneficial is it having Rolex and the Rolex Grand Slam associated with The Dutch Masters?
We are extremely proud to be part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; it was very much our goal from the outset to become the fourth event of the series. Without Rolex, and also our other partners, it wouldn’t have been possible to organise this special edition of The Dutch Masters, so we are very grateful that they are here supporting us, in both good times and also challenging times. As a result, the field we see here in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is amazing, and we’re delighted to have attracted the top five-ranked riders in the world.
What is your favourite part of the job?
It’s a one-year preparation organising The Dutch Masters, and it happens on a multitude of different levels and subjects. At the end, everything has to come together, work well, operate smoothly, and it’s my job to try and make sure everyone involved is happy, particularly the riders, fans and sponsors, so that’s the thing that interests me and keeps me motivated.
Who do you think will win the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday?
Let’s go for the current world number one-ranked rider, Steve Guerdat!
Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam
Photo: © Rolex Grand Slam / Remco Veurink
Categories: English, Interviews, Jumper News Nederland, Rolex Grand Slam
