After an impressive double clear performance in Friday’s Nations Cup with Nikka vd Bisschop, Nina Mallevaey is heading into the Rolex Gran Premio Roma with confidence and determination. In what will be her very first participation in a 5* Grand Prix at Piazza di Siena, the young French rider opens up about her mindset, her horse, and what it would mean to win in Rome.

“I’m in a good mood, especially because the last few weeks have been going really well. I’ve had some great results and a few Grand Prix wins, so I feel good going into this one.”

Nina will ride Dynastie de Beaufour in Sunday’s Grand Prix, while Nikka vd Bisschop— who performed brilliantly in the Nations Cup — gets a well-deserved rest.

“I’ll be riding Dynastie de beaufour for the Rolex Gran Premio Roma. Nikka vd Bisschop did the Nations Cup on friday, so she’s resting a bit. I’m going to try to give my best with Dynastie de beaufour and aim for a strong performance. Of course, I’d love to win — it would be absolutely incredible. It would be my first 5* Grand Prix victory, and doing it here in Rome would be unforgettable. The arena is amazing, and my dad is here with me too — it would make the moment even more emotional.”

As for her strategy, Nina stays grounded and analytical.

“It all depends on the course. I’ll have to walk it, see where the tricky parts are, and also check the time allowed — if it’s tight, I’ll need to find two or three places where I can save time. The goal is to ride clear in the first round, then we’ll see.”

And what about the competition?

“There are so many top riders here, honestly. It’s a 5*, so the level is incredibly high. The American riders have some fantastic horses and they’re very strong this weekend — I’ll definitely keep an eye on them.”

Nina Mallevaey may be one of the youngest riders on the start list, but her maturity, clarity and focus suggest she’s more than ready to take on the Rolex Gran Premio Roma — and possibly make it a career milestone.