Inside the Rolex Grand Slam: Questions & Answers with Nicola Philippaerts

By Jumper News on 2026-05-26

Aachen, Germany – May 23, 2026 – You have competed at Aachen many times throughout your career. What is it about this arena, and this event, that continues to make it one of the most significant stages in the sport?

NP: Aachen is a very special show for me. It is one of those events where, if you have a good horse, you want to be there and compete against the best combinations in the world. The atmosphere, especially on Sunday, is unbelievable, with thousands of people watching and so much tradition surrounding the event. It is one of the biggest stages in our sport, and every rider wants to perform well here.

The TSCHIO Aachen forms part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which brings together the most prestigious Majors in the sport. From a rider’s perspective, what sets these Majors apart from other five-star shows?

NP: The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the series that every top rider wants to be part of. These shows attract the best horses and riders in the world, and everyone aims to bring their best horses to compete there. To be able to ride at Aachen, CHI Geneva, Spruce Meadows and The Dutch Masters is incredibly special. For me, these are the best shows of the year, and I feel very privileged to be able to compete at them.

Belgium has enjoyed significant strength in depth in recent years. How important is that team environment, and the competition between Belgian riders, in helping to raise the standard even further?

NP: Belgium is very strong at the moment. We have a very good group of riders, with a mix of experience and some very talented younger riders coming through with excellent horses. I think that is fantastic for the sport in Belgium. The team spirit is very good, and our chef d’équipe manages everything very well. I feel fortunate to be part of that group and to be able to go with them to major events where we can try to continue to achieve strong results together.

At this level, success depends on an entire support team behind the scenes. How important are your grooms, vets, farriers and wider team in preparing horses for a Major such as TSCHIO Aachen?

NP: It is a complete team effort. There are so many people behind the scenes who work incredibly hard for the horses, day and night, and I could not be more grateful to them. From the farrier to the vet, to the grooms, everyone has an important role to play. I travel almost every week, so it is also very important to have a strong team at home, making sure the horses are well trained, well looked after, and ready to go to the shows. At this level, it is never just one person – it is the whole team.

You come from one of show jumping’s most recognisable families. How has growing up within that environment shaped your understanding of the sport and what it takes to succeed at the very highest level?

NP: I am very lucky that my father has been involved in the sport for so many years. He taught me from a young age how to try to manage horses properly, and I was fortunate to go to many different shows early in my career. At home, we are one big team.

Of course, when we all compete at the same shows and one of my brothers is in the lead, we all want to try to beat each other, because we are sportsmen and we like winning. But at home, we support each other, help each other, and give each other confidence. It is very much a family company, and we do everything together.

Many of the world’s greatest athletes speak about the importance of performing under pressure. Do you take inspiration from other sports, or from other athletes, when preparing for the biggest moments in show jumping?

NP: I enjoy watching a lot of sports documentaries. I loved the series about Michael Jordan, and I take inspiration from athletes such as Roger Federer. I met him once, and he was an unbelievable person – very kind and very impressive. I think you can learn a lot from athletes like that, especially about how they handle pressure and important moments. In our sport, it is also very important to have support from your family or from someone close to you, so that you can stay relaxed and focus on what you have to do.

Aachen is known for its scale, atmosphere and intensity. How do you prepare mentally for a class of this calibre?

NP: On a day like the Rolex Grand Prix, I like to arrive early and make sure that everything is right. I check the equipment, give my horse enough time, and make sure they feel comfortable and ready. I will usually walk the course three or four times, because I want to see every detail. Then it is important to focus on the main things and not be distracted by the crowd or the scale of the arena. Aachen can be very impressive, and the first time you ride here, it is easy to feel a little overwhelmed. You have to stay focused on what you need to do, and to pay attention to the details until the end, and then afterwards you can enjoy the experience and look back on it.

You have developed strong partnerships with your horses throughout your career. How do you build that relationship and get the best out of each horse?

NP: I think horsemanship is very important. You have to try to adapt in the best way possible to each horse, because every horse is different. It takes time to understand what they like, what they do not like, and how to make them feel comfortable. The main thing is that the horse feels confident in the ring and enjoys what it is doing. When you achieve that, I think you can get the best results.

Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping