How have preparations gone for this year’s edition of The Dutch Masters, and what has been your main priority as President?

AvG: Preparations for this year’s edition of The Dutch Masters have gone really well. We have a super team, and everyone knows exactly what they need to do, which makes it very easy to work together. After every edition of the event, we evaluate what we were happy with and also what we feel could be improved for the following year. We are satisfied with how things are going, but we are always looking at how we can make things better. That continuous improvement is really important to us.

Communication within the team is also very important. Everyone has their own role, but we discuss ideas together. Jeroen Dubbeldam, our Sports Director, has brought some very good ideas to the event. One example is the Thursday evening class [HeadFirst Group Prize – Best of Champions] where riders swap horses.

That was something I would never have thought of myself, because as a rider you always think, “It’s my horse!” But it has turned out to be a great concept. Jeroen has very good connections with the riders, so he understands what they enjoy and what they would like to see.

Since joining the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2018, how has The Dutch Masters evolved as an event?

AvG: The Dutch Masters was already a very strong event before joining the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, but with the support of Rolex it has been possible for us to grow even more.

It is fantastic to see that Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix was sold-out weeks in advance. That shows that people really want to be there and want to be part of the event, which makes us very proud. It shows how popular the event has become.

The four Majors work closely together behind the scenes – how valuable is that collaboration in keeping each Major at the very highest level?

AvG: The four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors are the best in the world, and they each have their own character. Spruce Meadows in Calgary, for example, is completely different from Geneva and CHIO Aachen, and The Dutch Masters has its own atmosphere as well. They all have very high standards, but each one is unique in its own way. I think that combination of excellence and individuality is what makes the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping so special.

How does The Dutch Masters differ to the other Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors?

AvG: One of the things that makes The Dutch Masters special is the diversity of the sport that we have taking place during the show. Of course we have the very highest level, but we also have the second arena where regional riders compete. That means riders at a lower level can compete at the same event and look up to the top riders. I think that is very motivating for young riders and helps encourage new talent. Every year we also try to find ways to involve younger riders to help them develop. That combination of top-level sport and developing talent creates a really special atmosphere.

How has your experience competing at the very top of your sport helped you in your role as President of The Dutch Masters?

AvG: Competing at the highest level of the sport has enabled me to understand what it is like to perform under that kind of pressure. At The Dutch Masters we really try to make sure riders and horses have the best possible environment to perform. For example, it is important that riders have good warm-up areas and that the horses can stay calm and comfortable in the stables. We try to avoid things feeling too hectic so that riders can prepare their horses properly. We also structure the schedule so riders can build up during the competition and prepare their horses step by step for the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday.

The atmosphere in ’s-Hertogenbosch is always electric, especially during Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix. What makes that class so special here?

AvG: Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix is always a very special class. Of course, there is a lot of prize money, which brings pressure for the riders. There is also pressure on the course designer – the course must be difficult enough that not everyone jumps clear, but at the same time it has to be fair. It cannot be too difficult, but it also cannot be too easy. Finding that balance is not easy, and everyone involved understands how important the class is. I think that combination of pressure, challenge and atmosphere is what makes it so special. It is not just any other Grand Prix.

What has been your proudest moment as part of The Dutch Masters’ journey within the Rolex Grand Slam?

AvG: For me it is not about one single moment. What makes me proud is being part of the team behind the event. Every year we try to create an even better version of the event than the year before. When everything comes together and on Sunday evening the whole team can celebrate a successful edition together, those are always the nicest moments.

Horse welfare is fundamental to our sport. How do you ensure it remains a top priority in every aspect of The Dutch Masters?

AvG: Horse welfare has always been extremely important in our sport. At The Dutch Masters we make sure the stables are quiet, that the boxes are large enough [3 x 4 metres] and that the horses can rest properly.

We also make sure riders have different options for warming up their horses. There is a warm-up arena where spectators can watch, but there are also quieter areas where riders can prepare their horses in a calm environment if they prefer.

The horses also have the opportunity to get fresh air away from the stables, and we make sure the grooms have the space and facilities they need to take good care of them. All these details help ensure the horses’ wellbeing during the event.

What would you most like first-time visitors to experience or remember when they leave The Dutch Masters?

AvG: I hope they feel the energy of the competition and feel welcome when they arrive. Most of all, I hope they leave having enjoyed the horses, the sport and the environment, and with the feeling that they have experienced something very special.