Inside The Rolex Grand Slam: Questions & Answers with with Willem Greve

’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – March 11, 2026 – When you think back to winning the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters in 2024, what’s the first memory that comes to mind?

WG: It was a dream come true for me. It was a real thriller – being last to go in the jump-off and beating Henrik [von Eckermann] and King Edward by just four hundredths of a second. And when I saw the green lights, I just thought – I did it! When I crossed the finish line, I looked up at the scoreboard and saw the letters and numbers light up in green. That’s when I realised I had gone fast enough. I knew I was last to go, so in that moment it sank in that I had won. It was an unbelievable feeling, and I was just trying to process what had happened.

What did that victory mean to you personally, winning such a prestigious class on home soil? Where does that win rank in your career so far?

WG: We all have ambitions like this. Winning a Grand Prix is amazing but winning a Rolex Grand Slam Major in front of your home crowd, in your home country – this is something that all riders dream of. If it’s Steve [Guerdat] or Martin [Fuchs] winning in Geneva or a German rider winning in Aachen, if you can achieve that it’s something very special, and something to be very proud of.

I hope that we, as riders, act as an inspiration for the youth coming up through the ranks. I think it’s very important nowadays that we help young riders become enthusiastic about show jumping, so they can dream about making it in the sport. I think that’s very important. I grew up in the days when Jos Lansink was at the top of the sport alongside John and Michael Whitaker – those were my idols, and they still are, but the sport has developed and there are many other great riders now.

How positive has the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping been for the sport?

WG: For me, it’s been extremely positive. Ultimately, it has allowed the four shows to raise their standards. What I really appreciate about the Rolex Grand Slam is that it focuses on quality over quantity – it’s not an overkill of events. The four Majors are iconic competitions that everyone builds their season around. That’s what makes it so special – each one feels significant and prestigious.

Tell us about Grandorado TN N.O.P. and Pretty Woman Van’t Paradijs N.O.P. – how would you compare the two horses in terms of character, strengths and what they bring out in you as a rider?

WG: I’ve had Grandorado under the saddle for 11 years now. I got him as a four-year-old, so we’ve built a long partnership and know each other inside out. He’s like a little boy in a big body – though he’s definitely becoming more mature in his mind as he gets older. He’s always been a very delicate horse and needs to be managed carefully. Pretty Woman is a very special lady, with a heart of gold and incredible ambition. She’s feisty, a real fighter. For her age, she’s actually not that experienced – when she was six, I wanted to flush an embryo out of her, but it stayed in, so she carried the foal herself and gave birth at seven, so although she’s now 11, she’s missing a year of experience at the bigger shows. That said, she’s still gaining experience all the time, and I have to say, the older she gets, the better she becomes. She truly is a special lady – and she knows it!

What is it about The Dutch Masters that makes it such a special show for you – is it the crowd, the atmosphere, the history?

WG: It’s everything – the history, the set-up, the venue – it’s simply a very, very special show. It has always been rich in tradition. I remember going there as a little kid when Jos Lansink won the FEI World Cup™ Final in 1994. And of course, I remember when Indoor Brabant became part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2018. It was already a top-class event, but that milestone elevated it even further. It’s one of the highlights of the indoor season for riders, and especially for the Dutch. There’s such a lovely atmosphere – warm, cosy and welcoming – and it truly is a fantastic show. That feeling is shared by everyone involved: the riders, the grooms and the horses. It’s incredibly well regarded and thoughtfully organised.

Looking ahead, what are the big goals for the rest of this year? Is there something specific you’re building towards?

WG: First up is The Dutch Masters, followed by the FEI World Cup™ Finals in Fort Worth, Texas. Then comes the TSCHIO Aachen in May, and later the FEI World Championships in Aachen. For most riders, these events will be the key highlights of the season and the main focus on the calendar.

When you’re not at a show, how do you like to switch off and reset? What helps you recharge?

WG: I like to be at home working with the horses, especially the young horses, hanging out with friends, going out for dinner, seeing my family, and spending time with my girlfriend. I must admit that I have more spare time at the shows than I do at home! I’m just really enjoying my life at the moment – everything is going well.

You’ve built a strong team around you – what does that support system look like, and how important is it to your success? Tell us a bit about your super groom, Richard…

WG: It’s incredibly important that everyone in your team – your groom, barn manager, home rider, blacksmith and vet – understands just how vital their role is. Many of the people around me have been with me for more than 15 years. We’re all working towards those two minutes in the ring. It’s just as important that Richie takes care of the horses at the show as it is that the horses at home are ridden properly and looked after to the highest standard.

Of course, there are periods when things don’t go well. In those moments, it’s essential that we pull together as a team and figure out how we can improve. I always make sure my team knows that their input matters and that it’s genuinely appreciated. My philosophy is to never change a winning team – even when results aren’t going our way.

My barn manager, Trix is incredible. She knows everything and has travelled all over the world. She organises all the paperwork, health certificates, the traces, and transport logistics. And my groom, Richie, is an unbelievably hard worker. Sometimes I feel I have to protect him from himself because he wants everything done perfectly for me and the horses. I probably spend more time with Richie than with my girlfriend, as we’re on the road so much! I often say to him, “The day you quit is the day I stop riding.” He’s a truly great guy.

Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

Photo: ©  Rolex Grand Slam / Tom Lovelock

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