The Dutch Masters exuded innovation this year… The new program made more room for additional sports alongside the CSI5* action. The driving force behind it? Jeroen Dubbeldam! "As the new sporting director of The Dutch Masters, I have opened a new chapter in my career. Although this is my first year in this role, I am already familiar with the foundations of the event. My main focus was overseeing the sporting program and competition schedule while ensuring smooth communication between riders and organizers," says Jeroen Dubbeldam.
"Everyone tries to bring their own perspective to an event. This year, I made some adjustments to the program, including refining the schedule and introducing the Headfirst Group Prize – Best of Champions. It was great to see Willem Greve ultimately win that prize," Dubbeldam continues.
Is your experience as a top rider a major advantage?
"My experience as a top rider provides a valuable framework. As a rider, you see certain aspects in a different context than an organizer. I want to perfect the symbiosis between these two perspectives. My goal was to use my insights as a rider to benefit the event as much as possible. This year, I spent a lot of time observing. Now, I look forward to the next edition, where I want to expand my ambitions even further," Dubbeldam shares in his interview with the Rolex team.
"My commitment to The Dutch Masters is comparable to the most important life lesson I’ve learned in my career: you have to work hard and draw motivation from passion! I have always loved working with horses, and I still do. Not every horse will reach the highest level of competition, but that doesn’t matter. What’s most important is the joy and fulfillment that working with horses brings. Whether a horse reaches the top of the sport or not, the experience should always be worthwhile."
Rolex Grand Prix: The Icing on the Cake
"In my opinion, the Rolex Grand Slam is truly the pinnacle of equestrian sport. Only the best riders and horses compete in these events, which is why it’s almost impossible to predict who will take the victory," Dubbeldam explains.
"In fact, just making it onto the start list of such a Grand Prix is already an achievement. This makes every Rolex Grand Prix as competitive as a championship—perhaps even more so. Winning requires everything from both horse and rider."