The top 25 riders in the world show jumping rankings are gathering today at the Allianz Park, united by a single goal—victory in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix.

Today marks the start of TSCHIO Aachen 2026. The world’s best riders have travelled to the Soers with their top horses. What makes this field of competitors so extraordinary is not only its impressive depth, but above all the direct showdown between the leading athletes in international elite sport: Scott Brash, world number one and the only winner of the Rolex Grand Slam to date, faces European champion Richard Vogel, who, as a current contender, is himself on course to claim the Rolex Grand Slam. Briton Ben Maher, Steve Guerdat from Switzerland, and the French riders Simon Delestre and Julien Epaillard arrive with Olympic medals to their credit, while the U.S. is represented by an equally high-calibre trio: World Cup Final winner Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, and McLain Ward. Joining them are last year’s winner Martin Fuchs (SUI), Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER), Daniel Deußer (GER), and the Belgian European Team Champions Gilles Thomas and Nicole Philippaerts—a lineup whose cohesion is truly rare.

Winning once in Aachen and having your name immortalized on the famous winners’ board at the edge of the Main Stadium—that is one of the greatest dreams any equestrian could have. At TSCHIO Aachen 2026, the path to that goal leads through one of the most prestigious competitions in the world: the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. But the course is set much earlier. The action kicks off in high-stakes fashion this very afternoon, as the show jumping competition starting at 4:15 p.m. serves as the first qualifier for the grand finale. That means the entire world elite is already here today. Every ride counts; every mistake can shatter the dream of the Rolex Grand Prix. This promises top-tier show jumping—featuring the best the sport has to offer.