Tony, you are one of the exciting young talents in the sport of show jumping – can you tell us how your journey began?

The first time I sat on a horse was on my dad’s lap while he was jumping cavalettis at home. I got my first pony when I was about four or five-years-old, but I was actually scared to canter around the arena at that stage. I started out doing dressage shows, but I would always complain because I was not any good at it! One day my mum suggested I try show jumping instead, and that is where everything changed.

I never really competed in the pony Nations Cup competitions, and by the time I was eleven, I stopped riding ponies altogether. I got my first big horse and started jumping the bigger classes – my first 1m40s, Regionals, Nations Cups, the Europeans, and so on. Then I went to America, and this is where things really picked up, and last winter I got to compete in some national Grands Prix – and I was lucky enough to win one.

Out of everything so far, my favourite success would probably be winning the German Championships last year. Most people would probably say the Europeans, but I know that if I had not had that horse that weekend, at the German Championships, I would not have won. For my career so far, I think that was the biggest moment.

Growing up around horses, was there a particular moment when you knew this was the career you wanted to pursue?

For me, that realization came quite late. I always did other sports alongside riding, because I was not totally obsessed with it – really I just rode because my parents told me to! But then one day, everything clicked. I realized there was not much point trying to pursue anything else – I had this incredible opportunity in front of me, and living at a professional stable made me want to give 100%. From that moment, things started to fall into place, and I began to enjoy it so much more.

Who have been your biggest influences or mentors in the sport so far?

The person I listen to most is my mum. She is my hero. The way she can judge a horse or a rider just by watching them for just a second is phenomenal. In terms of riders, I think Rolex Testimonee Richard Vogel is amazing to watch and learn from – I really admire his style and approach.

Horsemanship is a significant focus in your life. What does that mean to you on a day-to-day basis, and what do you hope to impart to others as you continue to grow in the sport?

Horsemanship for me is not just about what happens in the ring – it is everything that happens at home too. Preparing for a show does not just mean jumping one 1m60 round beforehand during training. It takes weeks of work – training the horses, improving rideability, and mentally preparing both yourself and your horse. Horsemanship is not about the 70 seconds in the arena; it is about the months before that, when you are building that connection and trust every single day.

The CHIO Aachen is the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major in the calendar, can you explain how special this show is to you?

As far as non-championship shows go, it is probably the most difficult and the most special Grand Prix to win. The Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen is one of the toughest and most spectacular in our sport. Even for young riders like me who compete in the smaller classes, it feels magical just to be there. I grew up watching my favourite riders there every year – sometimes because my mum had a student competing, other times just because I wanted to go, whether with friends, my parents, or on my own. Last year, I got to ride there for the first time – and honestly, I think I was more excited than when I won the FEI Jumping European Championships for Children in 2022!

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping represents the highest level in the sport – what does it mean to you as a young rider?

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the ultimate test. It challenges the rider’s experience, their management of horses, and the consistency and capability of those horses. The only rider who has ever claimed the title is Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash – and what he achieved is just unbelievable. The amount of work and focus it must have taken, and the feeling he must have had when he realized he had done it –  that is something I cannot even imagine.

What are your goals for the next few years – are the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors something that you are aiming for?

This season, I have the FEI Jumping European Championships coming up in two weeks, and then I am lucky enough to be going to the Major League with my mum and a few of her students. Long term, I would love to be competing at the top level for my country and jumping at the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors. At the moment, I am just going keep progressing in line with my plan, and hopefully this will happen.

Away from show jumping, what other sports are you interested in?

I really enjoy football. I do not check the Bundesliga points every day, but if there is a game on, I will try to watch – either with friends or while I am at a show. I also used to play a lot of volleyball, especially from the age of thirteen to fifteen. When I switched schools and started riding more, I did not really play as much anymore as riding took priority, but I did not mind.

What advice would you give to other young riders who hope to one day follow in your footsteps?

I think a very big lesson for young riders – one that I am still learning myself – is patience. You need to have patience with yourself, your path, and especially your horses.