What is the proudest moment of your career so far?

One of my proudest moments was competing at my first Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in 2018. I also competed there in 2019, and it was a huge step in my career. Last year, I won my first 5* Grand Prix, which was an amazing moment in my career.

What are your plans, dreams and ambitions for 2022?

I hope 2022 is going to be the best year so far for me. I am aiming to be a part of the US Team for some FEI Nations Cup™ events and hopefully the FEI World Championships this summer. I would also love to be part of all the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors. That is a big goal for me and is definitely one of my main ambitions for this year.

When did your love for show jumping start, and who has inspired you the most throughout your career?

Everyone in my family is involved in horses, my parents have a big training and sales operation in America and they are a huge inspiration to me, so I have grown up with horses in my life. When I was 15-years-old, I went to train and work for Eric Lamaze. I was with Eric for five years, and he has really been my mentor in the sport. We have travelled the world together, and he was the one who first took me to Europe to compete. I have learned so much from him and really appreciate the chances he gave me. I really admire Daniel Deusser and love the way he rides, too – I try to emulate his style in my riding.

What attributes do you believe a successful show jumper needs?

I think that you have to be competitive, but you also have to be able to take the losses. In show jumping, you lose a lot more than you win, so you have to be able to cope with the ups and downs of the sport. Often when things don’t go well it is easy to want to change everything, but you just have to take a step back and make sure you are doing the basic things right. I think to be the best and win the biggest classes you need to have the balance between patience and drive.

Tell us a little bit about your stable of horses – which ones are you most excited about?

I am very lucky – I have some great horses and amazing support from Georgina Bloomberg. My main horse is Theodore Manciais, and I have had him for a long time now. He has jumped the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva twice before and won a 5* last year. Another one of my top horses is Quibelle, who is owned by Georgina Bloomberg. She jumped a clear for Team USA in the CSIO5* FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona. We have had some great results, and I think she is going to be my top horse for big team events. I am really excited about her. I feel very lucky to have such great support from Georgina and her team, Jimmy Doyle is her trainer, who also helps me now. It’s a great relationship, we go to most of the same shows and I get to take advice and tips from Georgina and Jimmy.

How important is your team – your groom, your farrier, your coach, your vet, your owner?

They are crucial – they make the whole thing go round. I have a great group of grooms and managers, as well as an excellent vet and farrier. Without even one of them the whole thing would not work. When I win a big class or a Grand Prix, it is really nice, but it is really the team behind me that makes it possible. It is like any other sport, such as Formula 1, the team is vital to the success of the rider. When things don’t go well its tough because you feel like you are letting your team down, as they work so hard for your success.

What do you love most about show jumping? Competing, the camaraderie with the other riders, travelling the world…

I love working with the horses. Being able to create a partnership with your horse and pushing your relationship to the limit to achieve things that you never thought were possible. The camaraderie at the shows with all the riders is very fun, we are all in it for the same reason. It’s really fulfilling to compete against so many talented riders. We all try to help each other, and even when you don’t win you are still happy for the other riders.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

I got a great piece of advice this year from Denis Lynch, which was to always push ahead and to try not to make changes when things go wrong. You should stick with your plan. It has worked in the past and it will do in the future.

Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has tipped you as a future star – how much has he influenced your career so far and what other riders to do you look up to?

I met Daniel when I was 15-years-old, and I really look up to him as a person and a rider. I have always been fixated on his riding and his way of doing things. We have similar builds and so I have always watched him. As the years went on, we have become really close, and I consider him one of my best friends in the sport. I train at Stephex Stables over the summer, and they really treat me as part of their family. I try to ride around Daniel as much as I can and watch what he does. I try and learn as much as I can from him.

There are so many riders that I look up to and we have some great riders in the USA, including McLain [Ward], Jessica Springsteen, Beezie [Madden], Kent [Farrington] and Laura [Kraut], who are so incredible. They are obviously talented and very helpful when I’m looking for a bit of advice.

As a young rider, do you feel there are enough opportunities for up-and-coming riders in the sport?

I think there are a lot of ways to get to the top and a lot of different avenues within the sport. Surrounding yourself with good people and making the most of any opportunities makes a big difference.

I am very lucky because my parents are quite well known in the sport and so they have helped me with my career. I have been able to train with some of the top riders in our sport, which has been an excellent opportunity for me. I am very fortunate to have the right people behind me which has allowed me to reach some of my many goals.

How positive do you believe the Rolex Grand Slam has been for the sport of show jumping?

It’s really the peak of the sport. If you win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping you have transcended the sport and you have achieved something that people will speak of for generations. I think it really changes the game and the next person that wins it will not be forgotten. I wake up every morning with this goal in mind. Currently, I really believe Daniel Deusser is knocking at the door and I have a feeling that he will be the one to do it next. He has a great team of horses, and people, and he has a really cool head in the big moments.

Just like tennis and golf, show jumping has its very own Grand Slam. Which of the other sporting ‘Majors’ do you love watching, and which is your favourite and why?

I love to watch tennis and golf. I don’t play much golf; but I play a lot of tennis, although not that successfully! I can really appreciate any sport and the effort and sacrifice that has to be made to get to the top level.

Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam

Photo: © Jenny Abrahamsson / WoSJ

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