Interview with Luke Dee, winner of the CSI3* Grand Prix at the 2026 JPM International

15 July 2026

Q: Can you tell us about your career thus far and your journey from New Zealand to building an international show jumping career in Europe?

LD: I have ridden pretty much my whole life. I grew up competing in New Zealand, coming up through the ranks on ponies, then progressing to young rider level and eventually on to Grand Prix classes.

After I left school, when I was around 18, I travelled abroad because I wanted to expand my knowledge and improve my skills in Europe and North America. I spent time working for people such as Cian O’Connor and Darragh Kenny, which was a great experience. I then went back home to New Zealand for a couple of years before coming over again in 2022 with my owner, Fiona Hall, and my fiancée Amelia.

That was when we sourced Gangster WW as a six-year-old. Since then, it has been a bit of a whirlwind. He has improved and developed so much over the past four years. In February 2025, we brought him back over from New Zealand, and we competed at the World Cup™ Final. At that stage, we were both still pretty green, but we have continued to improve from there. Now, thankfully, we are both competitive at a high level, and we were able to get our first Grand Prix win together at the JPM International this year.

 

Q: What have been the key horses, people or experiences that have shaped you most as a rider so far?

LD: Growing up, my father was a racehorse trainer, so we had ponies from a very early age and were always riding. My parents have been incredibly supportive of my riding and always encouraged me – they were a huge help when I was younger.

I got my first really good horse, Ombudsman, back in New Zealand. He took me up to young rider and Grand Prix level and gave me a huge amount of experience. We had some good results together in New Zealand and Australia, and he played a big part in my development.

When I was in America, I also had a very good horse called Auckland. I jumped Grand Prix classes with him and rode in a Nations Cup in Ocala, which was a very special experience.

Now, of course, I have Gangster WW. He is the best horse I have ever ridden, and I feel very lucky to have him. I am also fortunate to be surrounded by very experienced people. Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut, who we are based with, have helped me a lot, and Emile Hendrix has also been amazing for me. When Nick and Laura are not available, Emile is always there to give me help as well. To have that level of experience and support around me is something I am very grateful for.

Q: Can you tell us some more about your top horse, Gangster WW? How would you describe him, and what makes him such a competitive Grand Prix partner?

LD: In the stable, Gangster is the most affectionate and kind horse you could meet. He loves treats, and he loves attention from anyone who shows an interest in him. To ride, he can be a bit of a handful. He is very hot and very sensitive, so when we bought him, we knew he would need time to mature and develop. Over the past 12 months, he has really grown into himself and become a top horse.

What makes him so competitive is his bravery and his attitude. He will do absolutely anything for me in the ring. We have built a very strong bond over the years; he has become my best mate, and I think I have become his too. He really fights every time he goes into the ring. He wants to do well, he loves his job, and I think he enjoys winning too. He is a true competitor.

Q: He is still relatively young for this level of sport but has already produced some very strong performances. How have you managed his development and confidence as he has stepped up internationally?

LD: He is 10-years-old now, so he is still young for the level he is jumping at, and I think there is still a lot more development to come.

He has always been a confident horse, and he has never felt like he was going to let me down. At the same time, he can be tricky, and he was certainly quite tricky when he was younger, so we were careful not to rush him. When we took him back to New Zealand, we allowed him to develop gradually rather than pushing him up the levels too quickly.

That also gave our partnership time to grow. As a nine-year-old, he began stepping up to some 5* shows, and he handled that well. Since then, it has been about giving him more experience at that level and building the consistency needed to jump well every time he goes into the ring.

Q: Looking back at your victory in the CSI3* Grand Prix at the JPM International, can you tell us about how special this win was for you and your team?

LD: It was very special. In a way, it felt quite nostalgic because the JPM International was one of the first shows we went to in Europe last year. I finished third in the Grand Prix there, which was my first big result after arriving from New Zealand.

To come back a year later and go two places better by winning it was truly amazing. It also meant a lot because of our connection with Emile Hendrix. He was training me at the show, so to win there was special not only for me, but also for him and for the whole team.

It was also great for my owner, Fiona, to have a result like that, and as well as for my fiancée who has been by my side the whole time as well. It is not always easy over here, so when you get a result like that, it feels like a reward for all the work that everyone has put in.

Q: The show is held at Stal Hendrix, where you have developed a good relationship with Emile Hendrix. What makes the JPM International a special venue for you, both from a sporting perspective and because of that connection?

LD: Since I have been based with Nick and Laura, the connection with the Hendrix family has developed, and they have been great supporters of mine. Emile especially has been a big help, so that makes the JPM International a special show for us.

We love going there. I really like the atmosphere, and I enjoy the fact that it is not a huge arena. I love jumping indoors because everything feels very close, and at the JPM International the crowd, the atmosphere and the action are all right there like an indoor show. As a rider, you really feel that energy, and as a spectator, you feel very close to the sport.

The hospitality is also very good, everyone is friendly, and it is always a very pleasant show to be part of.

Q: The JPM International continues to attract an incredibly strong international field and is known for its excellent facilities. From a rider’s perspective, what stood out to you about the show, the set-up and the atmosphere throughout the week?

LD: For a CSI3* show, the level of competition is extremely strong. They always attract very good riders, which makes it a tough show to win. That is also what makes a result there feel even more special.

From a rider’s perspective, the facilities are excellent, the atmosphere is great, and the whole show feels very professional. It is a show that riders enjoy going to because it has strong sport, a good set-up and a very welcoming feel throughout the week.

Q: What are your main ambitions for the rest of the season, and how does a result like this help as you look towards more 5* shows and the bigger championship goals ahead?

LD: At this stage, we are planning towards the FEI World Champions in Aachen, so that is our main focus now. Gangster has just come home from Rotterdam and will have a couple of weeks off, as he has had a busy month. After that, we will start preparing for the championship.

The results we have had over the past six weeks give us a lot of confidence heading towards a major goal like that. Hopefully we can continue to build on this form and carry that momentum into the rest of the season.