Why is CHI Geneva such a special show?
I think it’s a special show to every rider out there. For me, the first time I came here I was kindly invited by the show through Steve Guerdat, as we owned a horse of his called Bianca [Albführen’s Bianca] at the time. From that very first time, CHI Geneva was super special, as it was my first time competing with the big guys. I thought to myself, ‘I have to come here and perform, otherwise I’m going to let Steve down!’. Now that I’ve managed to qualify on my own merit, from having had success at this year’s Europeans – it’s just an absolute dream come true. It’s an amazing venue, with a huge arena, and so much atmosphere – it just feels like home and I love it.
Which horses are you competing with this week? And can you tell us a bit about their characters?
I’ve got two horses with my this week. One is a gelding called L’artiste De Toxandra, who’s just a giant softie. He’s a big, long, strong horse, but at the same time he’s a big friendly giant, which is exactly how I’d describe him. He’s a little bit nervous with things like the sounds, but he can run, and when he wants to run he’s just gone! Then I’ve got a stallion called Levis De Muze, who as a character is just everything you could possibly wish for in a horse. He’s intelligent, super cheeky but gentle at the same time, and just an all-round pleasure to be with. And that’s not just for me, he’s the same for my groom and my home rider – we all have the same feelings for him, as do the spectators. They’re both relatively underused 10-year-olds so they’re both quite new to this level, so coming here is an experience for the three of us.
Which of your young horses are you most excited about?
At the moment, I’ve only got one young horse, who’s a seven-year-old called Sevenoaks. When I say ‘only one’ he’s actually a very good young horse, and I honestly think he’s a horse who could jump here in the future. He’s got all the right tools, including being athletic and clever, but he’s only seven so he’s still got work to do. He’s got it all, I do believe.
What are you dreams and ambitions for 2022?
A big goal of mine next year is the World Equestrian Games, which I’m sure a lot of the riders here are also aiming towards. There’s so much to jump in this sport, so I also just want to take a step back and decide which ones I really want to do, as I think you can sometimes get ahead of yourself and just jump everything.
What’s the proudest moment of your career so far?
Definitely Riesenbeck this year. I was actually proud of the way my horse handled the whole event. He’s never done anything like that in his life, I’d barely even jumped him for three days at a show. Going there and jumping so many rounds under so much pressure, he just handled it like a true veteran. I was just so proud to be there and feel the love that everyone had for him and for us as a couple. I just felt as though everyone there wanted to see me doing well and were rooting for me, so I felt proud that I could touch so many people’s hearts.
What attributes do you believe a successful show jumper needs?
For me, patience is a big one, and then just believing what you’re doing is the right thing and making the best plan for you. It’s very easy to see what other people are doing and change things around all the time, but having trust in yourself and your horse is a huge thing. Having a strong mind is also a big part of it. You can have all the ability, but if you’re not mentally tough enough to cope with it all, it certainly makes things harder.
How important is the team behind you?
So important. I’m a huge believer in everyone knowing their roles – I’m the rider, the groom’s the groom, the vet’s the vet, the farrier’s the farrier, and so on. Having said that, we also all need to be able to come together and work as a team. I really admire each and every person I work with because everyone is so good at what they do, but respectful of outside opinions.
What does the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping mean to you?
It means everything. Just being here at one of the Majors is indescribable. The four Majors combined create the most prestigious series there is to win. Being able to be a part of just one of them is amazing, and I hope to get the opportunity again – I’d love to be part of all the Rolex Grands Prix, if I could. It’s just a very cleverly thought out idea, and I’d say most people would agree with me on that.
Just like tennis and golf, show jumping has its very own Grand Slam. Which of the other sporting ‘Majors’ do you love watching, and which is your favourite and why?
I’d say tennis because my dad is a huge tennis lover. He’s been playing tennis for years and years, so my sister and I played tennis a lot when we were growing up. For me, it’s one of the most interesting sports to watch. I went to Roland Garros a couple of years ago and just being there was unbelievable. I watched a young Greek tennis player [Stefanos Tsitsipas] who’s very high in the rankings at the moment, so we went to watch him, and there were so many people cheering his name. I think he was only 20, so I nwas imagining, ‘Wow, I’d love to be young and have people chanting my name’. Golf I don’t watch so much of, but my trainer Sean Crooks plays it a lot so he’s always talking about it, and includes a lot of golfing analogies in his training.
If you were stranded on a desert island, which three items would you take with you?
I would take my horse, Porky, as I like hanging out with him. I’d have to take my phone. And a saddle so I could ride Porky!
Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam
Photo: © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof
