11 J ust one more to go. The final approach over the grass. Collect again. Another powerful take off – the last one. Fly over one more time. Heart first! “Hello Sanctos” is a fighter – that is what sets him apart. He pushes himself to the limit for his rider, doing more than what is expected, without even being asked. And, as a result, he makes dreams come true, dreams no one ever imagined possible. Just like on the afternoon of May 31st, 2015. As Scott Brash rode into the main stadium in Aachen for the first round of the “Rolex Grand Prix”, only one thing was certain: each single obstacle of the course would be a challenge. Twenty-five riders had competed before him, only two of them had jumped clear. Scott Brash had been preparing for this competition for six months, competing with his top horse, “Hello Sanctos”, only at targeted shows with very similar conditions to Aachen. However, there was no way to prepare for the amazing atmosphere, for the 40,000 spectators. It is always unique – and demands far more than sporting skill from a horse and rider. To win in Aachen, one needs magnitude, courage – and pure determination. The year before, Scott Brash and “Hello Sanctos” had picked up eight faults in the “Rolex Grand Prix”. In 2015 it wasn’t even an option. That day was about much more than the Grand Prix. After his Major victory in Geneva, a win in Aachen would mean a second step for Scott Brash towards winning the Rolex Grand Slam. A unique opportunity, but perhaps also a weight on his shoulders that could have made it more difficult for his horse to negotiate the course. Technically, the fear seemed unfounded: two clear rounds were all he needed to secure the coveted last start in the jump-off. From the first obstacle onwards, he was on course for the best time. Then, all of a sudden in the middle of the round, came a surprise: instead of choosing the direct route to the fence, Brash rode around the water. The decision cost him time. Many wondered if he had just thrown away victory. “The line I took suited my horse best,” he said later, justifying his decision. The grateful “Hello Sanctos” gathered his strength one more time – the final fence. Horse and rider versus gravity, versus the ticking clock. They set off on the approach, checked, everything was set and ready to fly. A perfect jump, a perfect time! Scott Brash won the “Rolex Grand Prix” at Aachen and thus his second Major in succession. He looked as if he could hug the whole world, but instead it was his horse who received a big hug, his “Sanctos”, who had fought so hard for him once again. Heart first! THE MAJORS 2015 CHI AACHEN 2015
Rolex Grand Slam magazine - Number 4
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