On Saturday morning at CHI Geneva, members of the media were invited to meet Rolex Testimonee Richard Vogel, as well as The Young Riders Academy representatives Eleonora and Valetina Ottaviani.

The 27-year-old German won the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva last year with crowd favourite United Touch S. “It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it,” Vogel said as he recalled the feelings attached to the win. “Winning here last year was incredibly special for us, as it was our first Rolex Major victory and our first time competing at the CHI Geneva. The atmosphere with the incredible crowd is truly unique, and winning my first Rolex Major here will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“Coming into the show last year, I honestly didn’t think we would win,” Vogel continued. “However, I am very competitive. I don’t attend shows just to practice – although sometimes that happens. We always leave the stables aiming to achieve something. Going into the jump-off last year, I knew we were up against some of the best horse-and-rider combinations in the world, and being the first to go, I had to take all the risks. Luckily, it paid off in the end. In the first round, there were one or two things I could have improved, but in the jump-off, I felt United Touch S and I gave it everything, and I was very happy with our performance.”

“It is incredibly special,” Vogel said about CHI Geneva. “We compete around the world almost every week of the year, but the CHI Geneva is my favourite indoor show. My overall favourite is the CHIO Aachen, but indoors, it’s Geneva. Both shows have a similar atmosphere, with amazing crowds. This not only motivates us riders but also gives our horses an extra boost of confidence. The level of sport we see at these Majors, and in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final here at the CHI Geneva last night, is only possible in such an environment. That is what makes Geneva truly special.”

“The Rolex Majors are the pinnacle of our sport,” Vogel continued. “They have elevated showjumping to another level by guaranteeing participation from the best riders and horses in the world. As Eleonora mentioned, the YRA helps guide young riders by instilling the right values and providing access to top trainers and education. It is crucial to support riders from diverse backgrounds, giving them the tools and confidence to reach the highest levels of the sport.”

“He changed my life and career in showjumping,” Vogel said about United Touch S. “We are very proud of his improvement, and are still now continuously trying to improve. For example, last night he jumped brilliantly in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, but it was me that made the mistakes – which we can learn from. In the sport, it is the partnership that matters, so as we both continue to learn and experience new things, we can do better and better. I wouldn’t say we are the best combination in the world, but I think we are contenders to win one of the best classes in the world, which is what we will continue to try and do on Sunday in the Rolex Grand Prix here at the CHI Geneva.”

“He is the star of the team,” Vogel continued. “During the day, he is a very quiet and calm character, but he comes alive when he’s jumping. He is sensitive to ride, which often surprises people because he has such a large stride and incredible scope. Along with his talent, he is also smart and always eager to perform well. Initially, shortening his stride was a challenge for him, but we’ve worked on it together, and he has improved immensely.”

“United and I share a strong bond, but his connection with Felicia, his groom, is even stronger,” Vogel said. “United is the horse that really put us on the map, and thanks to him, we have been able to experience so much. Felicia is always by his side; they’re the perfect team, and I’m grateful to be part of it! At home, we focus on flatwork and gymnastics to keep improving. When I’m not around, Felicia rides him, and they spend a lot of time hacking in the forest. I think it is important for horses to be mentally fit as well as physically fit. This variety keeps United motivated and ensures that training stays enjoyable for him.”

“Last year, when we came here, we were the underdogs,” Vogel said when asked about how he handles the pressure of being the title defender for the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva on Sunday. “We were immensely proud just to be competing in the first place, and then we managed to qualify for the Rolex Grand Prix. Whatever happened after that was always going to feel like an achievement in itself. Going into the Grand Prix, we had nothing to lose.”

“This year, we probably aren’t the underdogs anymore, and with that comes more pressure - which is different from what I’m used to. Now, coming back as the previous winner, anything less than a win feels almost like a disappointment. The expectations are quite high, but that’s something you can adapt to, as we have had to do before, like earlier this year in Stuttgart, my home show. It is just part of our sport. Last night wasn’t my day, but United performed exceptionally well, which gives me confidence that he is in great shape. I have also learnt from my mistakes. This makes me excited for Sunday – I can’t wait to get started because I’m confident we can perform well. We can’t win every day, but that is always the goal.”

“The win changed how people see us, but we have tried to not change too much and stick to what works for us,” Vogel continued to tell about the effects of last year’s victory. “It has given us easier access to top shows and boosted our confidence, but our focus remains on continuous improvement.”

This year, the Young Riders Academy – supported by Rolex – is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. “Without Rolex, the Young Riders Academy (YRA), which is a complex and ambitious project, simply wouldn’t exist,” YRA director Eleonora Ottavia explained. “For something like this, it’s not enough to have a sponsor for just one or two years. It requires sustained support, which is very challenging to secure, and Rolex has provided us with that.”

Vogel joined YRA in 2020. “The Rolex Young Riders Academy has two main components: a practical side and a theoretical side,” he explained. “When I joined, I had just started my own business, which made it difficult to fully participate in the programme. However, I attended the theoretical lessons, which included sessions with the world’s best course designers, veterinarians, and on a range of topics such as fitness. The practical side involves mentorship, allowing riders to visit stables and learn from top professionals like Jeroen Dubbeldam for example.”

“The Academy really helped me, not just with riding but also in managing my career,” Vogel continued. “Before joining, I had spent two and a half years working for Ludger Beerbaum, focusing solely on riding. Starting my own business was a big eye-opener to the broader responsibilities of a professional rider. The YRA helped me address my weaknesses in communication and organization, which were essential for building a career in the sport. With the YRA I learned a lot, improved, and I still continue to grow from that foundation.”

“We have a thorough selection process,” YRA coordinator Valentina Ottaviani added in. “National Federations nominate candidates, and a panel, including experts like Emile Hendrix and Franke Sloothaak, selects around 10 riders per year. At the time, Richard was already among the best young riders. I remember Emile predicting he would be in the Top 10 within a few years, and he was right. Richard was very focused on riding, so we provided training to build the broader structure needed to support his career. It is important for other riders in the academy to see what is possible, which wouldn’t be achievable without Rolex. To have Rolex’s support gives a lot of riders confidence, because they can see that the best riders in the world are associated with the brand.”

“Normally, between the end of the year and January, the National Federations receive the applications and can nominate between two and three riders per year,” Valentina Ottaviani detailed about the YRA selection process. “Then, we convene at one venue, and the riders bring two horses each – one more experienced and one less so. We have a selection panel, usually including Emile Hendrix, and last year, for example, we also had Jeroen Dubbeldam. They watch how the riders work with both horses. We also conduct interviews with the riders to discover additional talents they might have. Afterward, if we decide to make them an offer, which could, for example, be for six months with a professional if they don’t have their own stables. This approach not only helps improve their riding but also teaches them independence and the fundamentals of a career in the sport. If needed, the programme can be spread over a longer period. We also host a theoretical session on a fixed date for the entire group, to help with team building. These are typically held in Italy at Lugano University and in Sweden at Uppsala University, where they have cutting-edge veterinary facilities. Then, we come here to the CHI Geneva, where the riders experience the show and participate in lessons. In February, we usually visit the headquarters of Rolex and the FEI, so the riders can learn about the organizations that govern the sport. The YRA is like a scholarship – it usually lasts a year, but once you are selected, you become part of the family.”

“It’s essential to not only identify talent but also to guide it along the right path,” Eleonora Ottaviani weighed in. “Talent alone isn’t enough; we push riders to embrace fair play and meritocracy, which are also core values of Rolex that we share. Over the years, we have created a family-like community. For instance, at the 10-year anniversary celebration in Venice, we reunited with 75 riders from our programme. Seeing them all was a reminder of the strong bonds we have built, I remember each and every one of them and their story. This sense of community is vital for the sport, helping riders support one another and maintain a culture of shared growth.”

“Never let go of your dreams, but understand that success does not get handed to you,” Vogel said when asked what kind of advice he would give to young riders. “Hard work is essential, but it needs to be paired with a clear plan. Assess where you are, decide where you want to go, and map out how to get there. Structured effort and determination are key,” Vogel concluded.  

The Young Riders Academy is a program intended for talented young European show jumpers, in collaboration with the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and supported by Rolex since its establishment in 2014. This program offers riders between the ages of 18 and 23 the opportunity to train for several months at a professional stable, while also receiving education in communication, business and economics, veterinary practice, and legal matters related to show jumping. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop future champions and leaders in the sport.