The Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen is all about the honor – and also about a lot of money. For a rider, even more than for everyone else: Because Dutchman Willem Greve is the live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam after his home victory with Highway TN N.O.P. at the previous stage, the Dutch Masters in Hertogenbosch. With another victory in Aachen, he is entitled to an extra prize of 500,000 euros. In an interview, he talks about his horses, his plan for Aachen, the decisive success factor of his team, and whether there was ever an alternative to riding for him.
You are the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live contender, how do you feel before CHIO Aachen?
It is an honor to be on the list of riders who have won a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major. It is incredible to ride at CHIO Aachen, and it would be a dream come true to win there. Of course, the pressure is greater and more eyes are on us as we won the Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters, but I am simply trying to focus on my horses and let everything remain as it has been until now.
It was a very emotional victory! The crowd was incredible, and the atmosphere was sensational. As a rider, you dream of moments like that, and in retrospect you only truly realize how special that moment was. It was even more special – not only because I am a Dutch rider, but also because I started last and Henrik von Eckermann beat me by such a narrow margin. This is a victory I will never forget.
Highway TN N.O.P. is an incredible horse – can you tell us a little more about him?
Highway is a gelded stallion from the Nijhof team. I started riding him when he was seven years old. He has an incredible attitude and a heart like a lion. Together we have achieved some good results, and I am very confident about our partnership. He has always been a winner, but the question was always: How much money does he have? But every question we asked him he answered positively. He is a dream horse – the attitude and mentality he has make him so good.
How is Highway TN N.O.P. at home?
To be honest, he can be a bit grumpy! He has a strong character, but he is by no means a whimsical horse. He has a lot of energy and is very hardworking, which is one of his best qualities. Sometimes you have to leave him alone, but my caretaker Richard knows him inside out – they have traveled the world together and are therefore very familiar with him.
How did you prepare for the CHIO Aachen? Do you feel any added pressure because you are the live contender?
The CHIO Aachen is a very special place. Before the Dutch Masters, my horses have already jumped a few times in Hertogenbosch, but for them it will be the first time they will be jumping in Aachen. I try not to change my preparations – I want to keep everything as normal as possible. Since my horses have never been there before, I want to see how they adapt to the arena and the atmosphere during the week. They can grow in this course, and when that happens, it’s a phenomenal feeling. I won’t have a big plan – usually you know in a tournament which tests you will have to do with each horse, but Aachen is something special, and that’s why I want to approach it day by day.
Can you tell us something about your other horses? Do you think that one of them has the qualities to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major?
Grandorado TN N.O.P. is my other top horse alongside Highway, but we won’t be taking him to CHIO Aachen. I will bring a 10-year-old stallion named Minute Man, who belongs to a group of American women – it will be a big step for him to start there, but he is a very talented horse. I will also bring a nine-year-old mare named Pretty Woman van ‚t Paradijs, in which I have very high expectations. She belongs to me along with the widow of the owner who passed away in March. This person has supported me incredibly over the last ten years. She will also compete at CHIO Aachen for the first time, but I am very excited about her – I think she has the talent for it. She is still young and needs to gain experience, but I think she could be a very special horse for my career.
The arenas at the Dutch Masters and the CHIO Aachen are very different. How did you prepare for the large lawn square at the CHIO Aachen?
Aachen is a long week with many jumps – to be honest, I haven’t ridden there for the first time in my life until now. The first time was the longest week of my life – it was a disaster, but the second time I had a really good tournament and it was a dream. As I’ve already said, the four horses I’m bringing are never there before, so I’ll try to choose tests that suit them well and make a good plan. We’ll see day by day how it goes – we want to make sure the horses are up to the arena and the atmosphere. I want to enjoy the horses and the moment.
How important is your other team, e.g. the horse groomers, veterinarians, etc., for your success?
They are everything! Not only my tournament horse groomer Richard, but everyone on the team. The team at home, my riders, the other horse groomers, the farrier, the veterinarian, and the feed company all work so hard and are incredibly dedicated. They all play a big role in our success, and you can never forget them or appreciate them enough for the effort they put in day and night. I am only two minutes into the course; without the tireless work of my team, we would be nothing. It’s like in Formula 1: Max Verstappen drives the car, but without the team around him, he wouldn’t be so successful. I don’t think their support can be valued highly enough.
In your opinion, what influence has the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping had on the sport?
I believe that he had a tremendous influence. I think that when you look back at the last 10 years, you realize how special and how great Scott Brash’s achievement was, having won three Rolex Grand Slam Majors in a row.
The Majors are the pinnacle of sports, and they are getting better and better. Rolex is committed to the best tournaments in the world and raises the entire sport to a higher level. It is incredibly impressive and an honor to be able to participate in the Majors.
In your opinion, how important are sporting events like the CHIO Aachen or The Championships, Wimbledon, in sports?
Sports majors are so important – they are the best of the best. When you win in our sport on Sunday, you have to start working again on Monday morning. It is our passion, not our job, and I think most top athletes would think so. If you have no passion for your sport, you will never be able to deal with the disappointments that sport brings. In reality, winning is the simplest part of sports; it is losing and dealing with fights, such as a wounded horse, that is difficult, and that is exactly why you need passion. Whether you play tennis or golf, there will always be disappointments. I believe that the Majors and their athletes foster the passion of the next generation.
If you hadn’t become a horse rider, what would you have become?
To be honest, it's what I've always wanted to do, and that's why I've never thought about anything else but what I'm doing now.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Never give up! You should treat your horse like a horse, because you can never defeat nature.