Press release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping 

You have had a great year, what has been your highlight?

I have an such an amazing year – it is hard for me to pick just one highlight! I had my first 5* victory in the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead in July which was amazing, and then coming third in the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament was a fantastic result. Most recently being on the Belgium team and winning the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final was incredible for me. I don’t think I can choose just one of those moments!

What are you hoping to achieve between now and the end of the year?

I am hoping to ride at CHI Geneva – that would be amazing. Then in Belgium we have the have a 5* show which includes a FEI Jumping World Cup™, in Mechelen, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This show is always very important to Belgian riders, and my family are involved in the organisation of it, so I really hope I can have a good result in the FEI Jumping World Cup™ there.

What are your hopes and ambitions for 2023 and beyond?

My ultimate dream is to compete at CHIO Aachen, in my opinion it is the best show in the world and the Rolex Grand Prix there is one of the most prestigious classes in the calendar. I am also aiming to compete in a Belgium senior team at a big championship. I have competed in Junior and Young Rider teams, but to be part of the Belgium team at the FEI World Championships or the Olympic Games and win a medal would be a dream come true. 

After your great performance in the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex at The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, how will you prepare for CHI Geneva? 

I’m not totally sure whether I will be competing there yet, but I hope that I will. They are two very different shows, but I would still take Aretino 13, as even though the arena at CHI Geneva is indoors, it is still very big. If I go to CHI Geneva, it will be the only indoor show that Aretino 13 competes in because he is a big horse and needs more space, so suits outdoor arenas better. CHI Geneva is such an amazing show and so I will plan to take my three best horses if I go.

How do you balance your dual roles as a world-class rider and a top-level owner?

I find it quite easy. I think that it is all about having a good schedule for the horses. As a rider, I have to travel around a lot, but I always make sure that none of the horses are doing too much at any one time. I try to make sure that their balance between work and rest is right and that the horses are fit, otherwise they do not perform at their best. 

How are you preparing for CHI Geneva?

I am bringing my best horses, Count Me In and Vital Chance De La Roque. I jumped Count Me In indoors at The Washington International Horse Show last weekend where he won the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier. He will go to Toronto next week, and then have a few weeks off before we go to CHI Geneva. 

Vital Chance De La Roque jumped in Sacramento a couple of weeks ago, where he also won the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Sacramento presented by GV23 Wines. He will go to Las Vegas next, which is about a month before CHI Geneva. Both horses have been jumping really well indoors and will have had a couple weeks rest before CHI Geneva – so I hope they will continue their form until the end of the year. 

How many horses do you have in at the moment? Are there any young horses that people should be looking out for?

At the moment I only have five or six. I haven’t got too many young ones at the moment. Usually I have some in Ireland that I will produce over there and then if I think there are any future 5* horses, I will bring them over to North America when they are eight-years-old.