28.04.2023
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping celebrates its tenth anniversary
There are a few people in the equestrian sport scene, whose names and performances go down in history for eternity. For example, the British show-jumper, Scott Brash, who entered the record books after claiming the victory in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in the year 2015. Show jumping fans all over the world are now waiting with excitement to see if McLain Ward will add his name to this illustrious list ten years after the series was initiated at the CHIO Aachen. The US American rider won the last two legs of the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva and The Dutch Masters and if he pulls off the hattrick in Aachen, he would be the second winner ever of this prestigious series.
There are a few people in the equestrian sport scene, whose names and performances go down in history for eternity. For example, the British show-jumper, Scott Brash, who entered the record books after claiming the victory in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in the year 2015. Show jumping fans all over the world are now waiting with excitement to see if McLain Ward will add his name to this illustrious list ten years after the series was initiated at the CHIO Aachen. The US American rider won the last two legs of the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva and The Dutch Masters and if he pulls off the hattrick in Aachen, he would be the second winner ever of this prestigious series.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is considered to be the ultimate challenge of the show jumping discipline and unites four of the most famous and most traditional shows in the world: the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters, the CHI Geneva and The Dutch Masters. Only the rider, who wins three Majors in succession, can claim the coveted trophy. Like in tennis or golf, the Majors of the Rolex Grand Slam are seen to be the most highly esteemed and famous shows on the equestrian sport circuit. The celebrations to commemorate the tenth anniversary will begin at the CHIO Aachen, the Wimbledon of the equestrian sport, which is being staged from the end of June to the beginning of July and will end with a crowning finale at The Dutch Masters in 2024.
Since the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping was inaugurated ten years ago, it has had a significant impact on the jumping sport. It brings together four shows that are united in their pursuit for quality and perfection and which have as a result set a new standard for show jumping events. Together the Majors of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping look back on a 300-year-old history and their traditional values are deep-rooted.
The prestige of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping attracts the best horse and rider pairs in the world and thus culminates in an absolutely top-class contest. The targeted promotion of talents is also an element of the Rolex Grand Slam: Two aspiring young talents are invited to each of the four Majors to enable them to gain experience at the highest level.
The past ten years of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping have yielded some of the most remarkable moments in the history of the sport. One of the most memorable occurrences was no doubt when the British rider, Scott Brash, won the Majors at CHI Geneva in 2014, the CHIO Aachen and finally at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in 2015 and thus raised the bar to an unprecedented level. The fact that he accomplished this amazing achievement with the same horse, Hello Sanctos, and went on to become the first and hitherto only rider to claim the victory in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, is even more remarkable.
The only winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Scott Brash, commented: “Winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping was an incredible moment in my career. I can hardly describe my feelings and emotions, when I held the trophy in my hands. And the fact that I actually pulled off this feat with the same horse, makes it even more special – Hello Sanctos really is a unique horse.”
Marcel Hunze from the steering committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping explained: “The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is an incredible series of events which unites four first-class competitions and attracts the best horses and riders in the world. Over the past ten years, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has really upgraded the sport, not purely in terms of the quality of the competitions, but also with regards to entertaining the fans and the welfare of the horses and the grooms.”
The Olympic gold medallist and Individual World Champion, Rodrigo Pessoa, added: “The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has been unbelievably important for the sport so far. The four Majors are very special events in the equestrian sport calendar and every rider and owner dreams of winning them. Looking back on the victories of the series over the past ten years, I am very excited to see what the next decade holds in store for us.”
Further information on the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
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