Willem Greve notched up the biggest victory in his career at The Dutch Masters after riding to victory with Highway TN N.O.P in the Rolex Grand Prix. An interview with the 41-year-old Dutch rider, who is now travelling to the CHIO Aachen as the contender for the Rolex Grand Slam.

The jump-off in the Rolex Grand Prix was particularly exciting at The Dutch Masters this year. What was it like for you?

Being the last to go in a jump-off is always a special challenge. I started warming up really early so that I could watch Martin Fuchs and Henrik von Eckermann ride. When I saw Martin’s round, I thought it wouldn’t be possible to go any faster. But Henrik actually succeeded in beating his time. I would never have believed that I could ride even faster than that. But my horse jumped superbly. Heading for the last oxer we found the ideal approach, everything simply went perfectly. That was an incredible feeling. Winning a class like that, and to top it all off in front of your home crowd, is an absolute dream. Everything about this moment was simply perfect.

Your sports partner for this special victory was Highway TN N.O.P. What is he like?

He is a stallion with an incredible attitude. He is very careful and at the same time extremely ambitious. We have been a team now for over five years and know each other inside out. I know that I can always rely on him in decisive moments and he always goes that extra mile in the ring.

The Rolex Grand Slam is a prestigious series on the international jumping circuit. What do you think distinguishes the four Majors?

The Rolex Grand Slam is the crowning glory of our sport. Everything is in a class of its own at all of the Majors. The best riders and the best horses compete there. It is like Wimbledon or Roland Garros in tennis. Being able to take part at these shows is an honour for us riders.

Only one rider has ever succeeded in winning the Rolex Grand Slam to-date: Scott Brash. How high do you think the probability is that another show-jumper will manage to pull off this feat again?

I think the longer the series exist, the more all of us are realising, how incredible Scott’s performance actually was. But McLain Ward got really close again last year. So, I guess nothing is impossible in our sport. But winning three times in a row, is definitely a huge challenge. Especially since the four Majors and the related demands they place in the riders are so different.

You are travelling to the CHIO Aachen as the contender for the Rolex Grand Slam. Does that put you under a certain amount of pressure or are you taking the whole thing quite calmly?

I am simply proud that I am going to be able to compete in Aachen and will try to prepare my horses as well as I can for this show. I have ridden in Aachen twice so far. I had a very good week one time, and a not so good one the other. All of the horses I am taking with me to Aachen this year have never jumped in this impressive Main Stadium before. So, I am very eager to see how it goes.

What standing does the CHIO Aachen have for you?

Aachen is simply Aachen. This show can´t be compared to any other show in the world and I am so pleased that I am able to compete there again this year.