Willem Greve will compete at CHIO Rotterdam 2025
The morning after winning his third Dutch Championship title, Willem Greve is already back in the saddle — calm and composed, just as you would expect from a true 'Tukker'. Fortunately, the new champion still makes time for us. During the interview, he even pauses to accept congratulations from a neighbor. On this sunny Monday morning, no effort seems too much. Of course, we had to call Willem Greve.
For those who might not know him: Willem Greve is 42 years old and has been passionate about horses since his youth. As a young rider, he competed in ten European Championships across the Pony, Junior, and Young Rider divisions with seven different ponies and horses. After completing high school, he went to work with Henk Nooren, where he learned not just about riding but also about the horse trade and how to spot talent. In 2007, Willem moved to the stables of Jeroen Dubbeldam, where he learned to train not only his horses but also himself, carefully planning his competitions. Today, he has realized his dream at a beautiful equestrian facility in Markelo, focusing on training young horses, competing at the highest level, and trading sport horses.
Thrilling championship
After congratulating him, we ask Willem if becoming Dutch Champion ever gets old — after all, this is his third title. Willem: "Absolutely not. I’m very proud. In 2022, I won my first title with Highway TN. That victory was a huge relief — it was high on my bucket list. In 2023, I couldn't compete due to a back injury. Last year, I won again, this time with Grandorado TN. And now, third time's a charm, although this year the honor goes to a lady: Pretty Woman van ’t Paradijs.
This championship was very special because the top riders were so close together. It has rarely been this exciting. Every championship tells its own story, and this year, it was all about the tension. As I said, I'm very proud. Highway, Grandorado, and Pretty Woman are three very different horses that I’ve each trained from a young age to the highest level."
"The opening speed round wasn't very decisive — we were all very close. I had to go last, so I took some risks, but they paid off. On the second day, both Harrie Smolders and Sanne Thijssen made mistakes, and I took the lead. Yesterday, I had to go last again as the leader, and since my competitors went clear, I had to produce a faultless round. Luckily, I did."
Pretty Woman van ’t Paradijs
"Thanks to Pretty Woman. I bought her as a six-year-old in Belgium. She had a lot of talent but needed a lot of work. We first collected an embryo from her, but an egg remained, and she ended up having a foal at the age of seven. I restarted her career when she was eight. Things went well, and demand for her was immediately high. My good friend Gerard Korbeld, who sadly passed away last year, became a co-owner so we could keep her.
I’m deeply sad he couldn’t witness this championship. His wife and children couldn’t be there either, but they still support me whenever they can. Pretty Woman has a lot of blood, willpower, and character — a real firecracker. That’s why I always enter the ring at a walk, trying to transmit my calmness to her before the engine starts running."No set plans
"I don't have a fixed competition plan yet, not for any of my horses. Tonight, I’ll sit down with Team Nijhoff to discuss it. I’ll probably compete in Rome, but I don't want to plan too far ahead — that’s something I’ve learned over the years. I want to enjoy the moment and let things happen as they come.
However, I can already tell you that Rotterdam is definitely on the schedule — I’ll be riding into the Rotterdam arena again this year!"
Willem also competed in the 1.40m class at the Nationals with the very talented stallion Poker de Mariposa TN. We ask if we might see this horse at CHIO Rotterdam too. Willem: "I don’t know yet. We are still a relatively new combination. I want to take the pressure off him rather than add to it. He’s very careful, and we still need more time to build our partnership. I have a very good feeling about him, and thanks to supportive owners — Team Nijhoff, Kees van den Oetelaar, and breeder Koen de Brabander — we’ll be given the time he needs."
Nephew Joep
Willem wasn't the only family member on the list of champions at the 2025 Nationals: his nephew Joep Schaap also claimed an orange champion’s sash. We ask Willem whether we might one day see Joep competing in Rotterdam too. Willem: "It’s hard to say. Joep is only thirteen, but he’s very passionate — and so is his family. He’s definitely not a spoiled kid, and I really enjoy supporting him with my experience and contacts. Winning a Dutch title at his age is just fantastic and very special."
"We saw some great sport in Deurne and now all look forward to the summer — especially the CHIO Rotterdam. Hopefully, our national coach Wout Jan van der Schans will have recovered and will be with us again.Thank you for the congratulations, and I look forward to seeing you in the Kralingse Bos!"