We are here at The Dutch Masters, your home show, how special is this venue to you?

It is so special to be here at The Dutch Masters. I competed here for the first time last year, and had a good round in the Rolex Grand Prix – my horse jumped very well and I am hoping for the same again this year. 

The Dutch Masters is one of the best indoor shows in the world – to be honest, all of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors are the pinnacle of the sport. For me as a Dutch rider to have a home Major is amazing. 

Can you tell us about the horses that you have with you and what qualities they have that make them so special?

I have a very good string of horses with me this week. My grey mare, Hallilea is here – she is in very good form having won the FEI World Cup™ Qualifier in Gothenburg only a couple of weeks ago. She had a nice round in the 1.45m class on Friday, and I am planning on jumping her in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix. 

Then, I have a stallion called Funky Fred Marienshof Z. He was double clear and fifth in the VDL Groep Prize on Friday, and I jumped him last night in the Audi Prize. I also have a nine-year-old with me called Chuck Marienshof Z who is very talented. 

How do you prepare yourself and your horses for a show such as The Dutch Masters?

I try to keep everything the same and keep their normal routine. They have been in very good form over the last few weeks, so we are trying to maintain that momentum. They felt great in Amsterdam and Gothenburg, and hopefully we can keep on getting good results. 

You were part of the Rolex Young Riders Academy – how special was it to be part of that and what did you learn from your experience?

The Rolex Young Riders Academy is an incredible opportunity for young riders. The programme gives you some great insights into the sport, especially from different areas that we would not usually be exposed to, for example, we visited both the Rolex and FEI headquarters. They have enabled us access to so many experts across the different aspects of our sport, which has been incredible.

Through my time with the academy, I have been able to access some great horsemen and trainers which has been invaluable for my development as a rider. Another benefit of being linked to the academy is that it helps you to get into the best shows in the world, such as here at The Dutch Masters. It has made a huge impact on my career and I am very honoured to have been part of the programme. 

Do you have a mentor or a rider that you look up to – what advice have they given you for this weekend?

I would say that the main influence on my career has been my father – I have been based at home for the majority of my career and he has been my trainer my whole life. He taught me all of the basics and has been incredibly supportive. 

Away from my father, I look up to Marcus Ehning – he has always been an idol of mine, I think that he is a great horseman. I spent a week with him and I learned so much from him, even in such a short period of time. I have also been trained by Jos Lansink in the past.

The Dutch Masters is the final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the initiative – how special has it been for the sport?

For me the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors are the best in the world – if you look at The Dutch Masters or the CHI Geneva they are the crème de la crème of the sport. I went to the CHI Geneva last year for the first time – not as a competitor, but it is an incredible venue. I think that these shows are a level above the others. The Majors are the ultimate goal and a dream for any rider to win. 

Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

Photo: © Rolex / Ashley Neuhof

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