“Jumping Amsterdam is so much more than a sporting event for me,” he says. “It’s a place where people meet, where stories are created, and where horse lovers connect. You feel it the moment you walk in.”

A Decade of Moving Along
Ten years as chairman means experiencing ten editions under very different circumstances, including the Covid years when nothing was certain. “That broadens your perspective,” Paul says. “You see how vulnerable an event can be, but also how incredibly resilient. And above all, how deep the love for this sport runs among everyone involved.”

For Paul, it’s important not to lead from a distance. “If you’re on the board, you need to keep feeling what it means to organize an event—what’s happening operationally, where the challenges are, and where things are going really well. That involvement also helps me in my role as CEO of the RAI. Jumping Amsterdam keeps me close to the core of what we do here.”

A Fixed Point in the Year
Jumping Amsterdam feels like an anchor point for him. “It’s the start of the year, the days are still dark. Then you step into that hall and you’re surrounded by an energy you hardly find anywhere else. That contrast is beautiful.”

For Paul and his partner, it has become natural to stay overnight and enjoy four full days of the event. “You’re completely immersed. That weekend, the world almost only consists of Jumping Amsterdam.”

Connection in the Middle of the Arena
The highlight for Paul isn’t just the sport. “During the 60th anniversary, I was allowed to step into the arena to thank volunteers and riders. Standing there, with that amazing audience around me, I realized how special it is what we create together.”

He pauses. “There, in the middle of that arena, I felt very strongly what this is all about: people, passion for horses, and the connection that follows. Everyone stood there with the same love for the event. That moment is unforgettable for me.”

Amsterdam as a Natural Backdrop
Jumping Amsterdam and the city are inseparable for Paul. “This event fits perfectly with Amsterdam. You feel the genuine involvement of our incredibly diverse audience. That creates connection—with each other and with the city.”

That idea aligns seamlessly with the development of the RAI area. “We’re working on a large-scale transformation. The area is becoming softer, more focused on stay and meeting. Jumping Amsterdam fits perfectly into that. It brings people together.”

Personally Close
That Jumping Amsterdam comes so close is also shown by a personal story. “I met the love of my life here—my fiancée, Dido van Kuijk,” Paul says. “Dido is truly a horse girl. That makes it extra special.” Since then, they’ve spent four days together at Jumping Amsterdam. “It has become our fixed moment in the year. It almost feels like our own tradition.”

That horses connect people is anything but an abstract concept for Paul. “One of our first dates was horseback riding. After Jumping Amsterdam, we went to Terschelling for a beach ride on two Friesians. That moment turned out to be a bullseye.”

A few years later, Paul decided to propose. He even considered doing it in the Jumping Amsterdam arena, but that felt too grand. “That wouldn’t suit me. I wouldn’t be happy with that.”

The proposal did happen, and the happy couple will marry in Italy!

Looking Ahead
Ten years of chairmanship mainly gives Paul energy. “The beauty is that Jumping Amsterdam keeps moving. The sport evolves, the audience changes, the city changes. But the core remains the same: horses connect, people come together, love for sport.”

He smiles. “As long as that remains, this event will stay special. And as long as I can contribute to that, I’ll do so with great pleasure.”