The Rolex Grand Slam is the dream – four of the world’s greatest shows, and the toughest challenge in the sport. What does it mean to you to compete at these Majors, and how special is it to be part of that stage?
For me, it’s a huge honour to compete at a Rolex Grand Slam show. It’s always special to get the call confirming your entries – you know the very best riders in the world will be there, because no one wants to miss these events. The venues themselves are historic and iconic and simply being there feels like an achievement for me as both a rider and a show jumping fan. The level of competition is exceptional, the prize money is huge, and it truly represents the sport at its very best.
You enjoyed a fantastic week at this year’s Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ one of the four Majors in the Rolex Grand Slam. How would you sum up your performances in Calgary, and what do you think made the difference for you and your horses there?
It was a fantastic week for me, when my horses are in such great form and jump fantastically well all week. It was my first time at Spruce Meadows, and I’ve been dying to go there and see what it is like. Everyone was saying how different it is, with the different set of jumps and the incredible atmosphere – when I was there it was just unbelievable. To jump double clear and get a win in the Nations Cup with that team around me was just amazing. We had such an incredible group of riders in the team, and we had great fun competing. It was a very special week for me and one I will remember for a very, very long time.
You’ve built amazing partnerships with your horses. Who are the stars of your stable right now, and what makes each of them such a good fit for you?
I’ve been so lucky to have some really good horses in the last few years. In terms of stars, Ebanking went double clear at Spruce Meadows, and my other top horse, who has been off for a little bit but is just making her comeback now, is Cacharel – she jumped in Geneva and ‘s-Hertogenbosch where she was clear in the Rolex Grand Prix, so she’s had quite a good record at the Rolex Grand Slam shows. The bond I have created with each of them means I know them inside out and they can sense when there is a big occasion. They are both so willing and they really enjoy their job, which makes my life so much easier. For a rider, it’s important when you can feel your horse rise to the occasion, so I feel like I get the best out of them at those top shows – that’s really where they show what they are made of.
No top rider operates alone. Who are the key people in your support network, and how do they help you stay consistent at the elite level?
It’s hard to single out just a few people because we have such a massive support team around us. But there are a couple who really make a huge difference. Charlotte, my head groom, has been with us for many years, and I genuinely couldn’t do the shows without her. She’s fantastic – I always know the horses are perfectly looked after and that nothing is ever out of place. She makes sure they arrive at the shows in the best possible shape so they can perform to their full potential. She’s amazing for me.
And then there’s William Funnell, who I’ve been training with. He gives me brilliant advice and a huge amount of confidence. I really value having someone like him in my corner.
You’ve come so far in just a few seasons on the international circuit. What have been the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Patience is a big one for me. I’m naturally someone who wants everything done yesterday, but you simply can’t be like that with horses. Spending time around top riders – especially at shows with someone like John Whitaker – really brought that home. He’s incredible: even on a bad day, he lets it go instantly and moves on. In this sport, patience is everything. Horses tell you when they’re ready to step up; our job is to give them the right conditions to do it, without letting our own ambitions interfere with their natural development. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it all takes time – the results will come if you stay consistent, keep working, and trust the process.
Looking ahead, what are your main goals for 2026 – both in terms of the Rolex Grand Slam and your wider ambitions for the remained of this season and next year?
Looking at this season, we’ve got CHI Geneva coming up – the first Rolex Grand Slam event I ever attended and a huge step up for me. Experiencing that next level for the first time was incredible, and it’s one of those shows everyone wants to go to, so if I have the chance to return, it’s a real highlight. Looking ahead to next year, the World Championships in Aachen tie in well with the Aachen Rolex Grand Slam Major, which I haven’t been to yet and is the next one on my list. Everyone says it’s one of the best – incredibly tough but unbelievable for the way the horses jump, the facilities, the stadium, and the atmosphere. We’ve got work to do and a few things need to fall into place, and you can never plan too far ahead, but both shows are firmly in my sights.
The atmosphere at Rolex Grand Slam events is incredible. How do you get yourself – and your horses – ready to perform on those huge stages, and what do you think sets these Majors apart from other global competitions?
For me, I still feel like I’m growing into that level a bit, but when I go to those shows I try to take everything in, learn as much as I can, and really enjoy the experience. I do everything possible beforehand to prepare the horses and make sure they’re in a good place to jump well, but you never know exactly how they’ll react. I’m lucky now to have horses with experience at that level, so I know they’ll go into the ring, grow from it, and find that extra bit for me.
There’s so much history behind all four Majors – they’re legendary shows – and when you add the prize money, the level of sport, the crowds, and the atmosphere around those big Sunday Grands Prix, it’s the combination of all these things that makes them unbelievable and the best in the world.
We hear you’re a keen golfer – and that your brother Mark is handy, too! How competitive do things get when you play a round together, and what are your other passions away from show jumping?
Yes, it does pain me to admit I’m the second-best golfer in the family! Mark and I have some very competitive rounds, but he definitely has the edge. Golf is easily my biggest hobby outside of show jumping – I love getting out on the course with him or with a few of the other riders whenever we have the time. It’s great for me mentally, too. It forces me to slow down, be patient, stick to a process, and trust the little technique I have.
What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep pushing, training, and improving – even after the long travel days and early mornings?
I’m a very ambitious person with a lot of goals I want to achieve and knowing I’m still a long way from where I want to be is a big part of what keeps me motivated. I want to keep improving and ticking off a few of those achievements I’ve got in the back of my mind. I love the training process – the day-to-day work with the horses, the feeling of getting a little better and moving forward. It’s easy to fall into the habit of doing the same things and getting the same results, but I like coming home from a show feeling like I’m building each time. That sense of progress is what really drives me every day.
Finally, what advice would you give to young riders hoping to follow in your footsteps?
This is a very tough job, and you definitely have more bad days than good ones. So, you have to make the most of the good days and genuinely enjoy what you do – the early mornings, the long hours, the hard work in the yard and in the saddle. It’s demanding, but the rewards on those good days make it all worthwhile. You need to be resilient and mentally strong to keep going, and that toughness is a huge part of succeeding in this sport.
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