A victory in the "CN International presented by Rolex" at the legendary CSIO5* Spruce Meadows 'Masters' is one of the top achievements in international equestrian sport. With his triumph on Sunday at the famous showgrounds at the foot of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Pieter Devos (Belgium) not only joined the ranks of famous winners, the 27-year-old also has the opportunity to be the first athlete to win the ultimate challenge of the equestrian sport: the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. "It is incredible that I now have the chance to win the Rolex Grand Slam, simply unbelievable, it is a dream come true," commented Devos.
Pieter Devos rode to victory in Canada in front of several tens of thousands of spectators in a thrilling competition, ahead of the Olympic gold medallist Steve Guerdat from Switzerland and the French show-jumper, Penelope Leprevost. Devos was the only rider to jump clear in the final round comprising of the best twelve riders. He crossed the finish line with his horse "Candy" just one thousandths of a second within the allowed time. Christian Ahlmann from Germany came fourth, ahead of his fellow compatriot, Patrick Stühlmeyer.
What a promising start to the Spruce Meadows 'Masters'. In one of the most prestigious competitions, the CANA Cup that is endowed with 125,000 Canadian Dollars, the big names all finished under the top rankings on Thursday evening. Penelope Leprevost from France, who had saddled "Dame Blanche van Arenberg", rode to victory proving that she is in good form for the Grand Prix (CN International presented by Rolex) on Sunday. In addition to Leprevost, Canada’s hopeful candidate Eric Lamaze, the new leader in the world rankings Ben Maher from Great Britain, the US-American rider Beezie Madden and the Swiss Olympic gold medallist, Steve Guerdat all reached the jump-off.
The elated winner, who is competing at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' for the first time, was very impressed by the second venue of the Rolex Grand Slam: "I had heard a lot about the show beforehand, but it is simply an incredible feeling to actually compete here." She was not surprised that "Dame Blanche" performed so well in the atmosphere of this exceptionally large arena: "Dame Blanche" also competed at the CHIO in Aachen this year, where she also jumped extremely well."
A number of the international top riders are hoping to win the Grand Prix on Sunday and thus also claim a victory in the Rolex Grand Slam. Quite a few of them have already taken a good look at the Rolex Grand Slam trophy, which is on display in its own room on the rear side of the stands.
When the best show jumpers in the world meet up at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ from September 4th-8th, this year for the first time ever the focus will also be on the Rolex Grand Slam. This ultimate challenge provides the competitors with the opportunity to become an international equestrian sport legend. Seven of the ten leading riders in the world rankings will take part in this competition staged at the traditional showgrounds at the foot of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Beezie Madden is currently lying in second place in the world rankings. According to the US-American rider, “the Rolex Grand Slam raises our sport up to an ever higher level. It is fantastic that such a renowned company like Rolex, which is so closely linked to the world of sports, is showing such further commitment to our sport.” The successful female rider, who will be competing with “Simon” and “Cortes C”, is looking forward to the ‘Masters’. Earlier this year she already came seventh in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with Cortes C. She is very optimistic about the coming days: “At the ‘Masters’ the best riders in the world battle it out for the highest prize-money in the world at one of the best showgrounds in the world. I will try my hardest and hope that at the end of the day that is a little bit more than all of the others are able to do…”
The French rider, Roger-Yves Bost, who recently won the European Championship title in Herning, Denmark, will also be competing in Spruce Meadows. He can rely on the support of an extremely strong team comprising of Kevin Staut, Eugenie Angot and Penelope Leprevost. Christian Ahlmann is currently heading the world rankings. The favourites also include the Swiss Olympic gold medallist, Steve Guerdat. For him the entire show is a unique highlight: “It is very exciting being able to compete at the ‘Masters’ – especially because of the Rolex Grand Slam.” It is a home game for Eric Lamaze, who of course knows that in Canada all eyes will be on him – and that the fans and media love him more than anyone else. Lamaze was able to ride to victory here in 2005 and 2011. “That was a dream come true for me,” he commented. The next, the absolute ultimate success, would be winning the Rolex Grand Slam – “that would turn the rider into a legend,” said Lamaze.
Unfortunately, Nick Skelton won’t be able to take on the challenge of winning the Rolex Grand Slam. His horse, Big Star, has got a ganglion on his leg, which means he won’t be able to compete for the next few weeks. “It is a real shame. I had been looking forward to riding in Calgary. But I will be back in the saddle for Geneva. That’s when the chase for the Rolex Grand Slam will start again for me.” We wish both horse and rider all the best!
It was a splendid kick-off to the Rolex Grand Slam. Forty thousand spectators celebrated Nick Skelton as the first winner, Skelton, of all people, this veteran of the sport, who has experienced so many highs and lows. And where else could this new chapter in the history of the jumping sport begin than at the CHIO Aachen? The heart of equestrian sports beats at these showgrounds steeped in tradition. International competitions have taken place in Aachen since the early nineteen twenties, throughout the years always in a magnificent setting.
This quest for perfection based on a long history is shared by the organisers of the Spruce Meadows Masters. In Canada from September 5th - 8th, the winner of the Grand Prix in Aachen will have the first chance to win a bonus in the Rolex Grand Slam. If Nick Skelton also rides to victory here, he has the opportunity to win an additional one million Euros in prize- money in Geneva in December. Located at the foot of the Canadian Rocky Mountains the long tradition of Spruce Meadows, an extraordinarily good infrastructure and enthusiastic spectators provide an exceptional atmosphere, which attracts the best riders in the world. It is a magical place for equestrian sports and their fans, one where history can be written. And every year one has the impression that the organisers have succeeded in further increasing the top quality of this event. The Masters is always an extraordinary week. The best horses in the world are found in the stables and tens of thousands of spectators are in the stands waiting to celebrate the horses and riders from 13 nations. Christian Ahlmann, Hans-Dieter Dreher, Lars Nieberg and Daniel Deußer will be travelling to Spruce Meadows from Germany. Spruce Meadows and the Rolex Grand Slam are one of the highlights of the year for Deußer. “Together with Aachen, Spruce Meadows is one of the best and most traditional showgrounds in the world. I am very much looking forward to the challenge of the Grand Prix (CN International presented by Rolex) on Sunday.” Of course, his aim will be to win so that he can become part of the Rolex Grand Slam.
At the end of the week, that much is already certain, some of the riders will once again have become legends. And everyone, both the fans and the athletes, will be eagerly awaiting the next Rolex Grand Slam event. Next stop: CHI Geneva, December 12-15th.
Nick Skelton from Great Britain is the first rider in the history of the equestrian sport to take on the challenge of the Rolex Grand Slam. After winning the Rolex Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2013, he now has the opportunity to write equestrian sport history. A victory in the CSIO 5* Spruce Meadows Masters (September 5th-9th) would open the door for him to the Rolex Grand Slam. Because the rider, who manages to win the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows `Masters´ and the CHI Geneva in succession, wins the Rolex Grand Slam – and with it also an additional one million Euros in prize-money. “The Rolex Grand Slam is a fantastic initiative. Now, things are going to get really exciting for me,” Skelton stated after his victory in Aachen. Writing history seems to be in Skelton’s blood – he is the the scond rider (together with Piero d´Inzeo) to win the Grand Prix in Aachen four times. As such, he has already long since become an equestrian sport legend and it even seems quite feasible that he could achieve the ultimate goal: “Of course, it is not going to be easy to win the Rolex Grand Slam, namely heading the field in the three first-class shows in Aachen, Calgary and Geneva in a row. But who knows – perhaps I can simply carry on where I have left on in Aachen.”
Where equestrian athletes become legends
It is the biggest equestrian sport challenge ever: Winning the show-jumpers’ Rolex Grand Slam. Three of the most prestigious and famous sporting events in the world have joined ranks to unite not only more than 5.7 million Euros in prize-money, but also 1,000 accredited journalists, 700,000 spectators and over 200 years of equestrian sport history. Whoever succeeds in claiming the victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen, at the Spruce Meadows Masters and the CHI in Geneva in direct succession, wins the Rolex Grand Slam – and with it a bonus of one million Euros additional prize-money. “The Rolex Grand Slam is is a huge challenge almost impossible to win – almost”, says Swiss rider Pius Schwizer.
But far more important than the prize-money is the opportunity to become immortal as one of the only equestrian legends to have won the coveted Rolex Grand Slam. Exceptional performances are required to makes one’s name infinitely unforgettable.
The system of the Rolex Grand Slam is simple: Anyone, who wins three shows in a row, receives 1 million Euros on top of the prize-money of each show. Moreover, anyone who wins two out of the three shows, also receives a bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is 500,000 Euros. If the rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode”, but doesn’t claim the victories at two consecutive shows, the bonus total 250,000 Euros. It is only the rider that counts, not the horse. It is possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. This system is infinite, it is not limited to a calendar year. It is a never ending story which starts now. In Aachen. “The Rolex Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Aachen, is quite literally a big prize. The Rolex Grand Slam is a further progression, which is unique in the world of equestrian sport. A true challenge for every show-jumper”, says French rider Pénélope Leprevost. German rider Ludger Beerbaum agrees: „The Rolex Grand Slam is a great chance for all jumping riders but, at the same time, it is also a very high goal which can only be reached by the very best. For me, the Rolex Grand Slam is unthinkable without Aachen, because the Rolex Grand Prix of CHIO Aachen in the cooperation Aachen – Calgary – Geneva is without doubt the icing on the cake.”
Interview with Otto Becker, German National Jumping Coach:
Question: What do you think about the Rolex Grand Slam, which kicks off here in Aachen on Sunday?
Becker: I am delighted that Rolex is committing itself even further in the jumping sport with the Rolex Grand Slam. Aachen, which is participating in this cooperation, is a unique show here in Germany. The Grand Prix of Aachen is already a huge challenge for the show-jumpers, but the Rolex Grand Slam creates an additional motivation for the show-jumpers.
Question: What qualities must a rider have to win the Rolex Grand Slam?
Becker: The pair has to harmonise perfectly together: the horse and rider have to form one unit and as is the case with every Grand Prix they have to be top fit of course.
Question: What do you think about the CHIO Aachen being part of the Rolex Grand Slam?
Becker: Aachen is Aachen – it is difficult to describe in words. The CHIO Aachen is the best event in the world with a fantastic crowd and top conditions for both horse and rider. But the best thing about it is that the equestrian sport is still the focus of attention in Aachen. This is what predestines Aachen for such a cooperation.
Question: Which rider do you think could win the Rolex Grand Slam?
Becker: That is difficult to answer – it is not going to be easy to win three Grand Prix in a row. My favourite song at riding shows is of course the German national anthem, which we will hopefully hear on Sunday. We will just have to wait and see about everything else.
THREE GREATEST EQUESTRIAN SHOWS COMBINE TO CREATE €1M ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING
Gothenburg, 26 April 2013 – Three of the world’s greatest equestrian shows – the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva – have joined forces to create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the Grand Prix at each show in succession. The winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be rewarded with a €1 million bonus prize.
Eric Lamaze, the only rider to have won the Grand Prix at each of the three shows on the same horse, said: “There are many great events on the Show Jumping calendar, but the three Grands Prix that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are without doubt the ones which the riders all want to win during their careers.
Winning even one leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is an incredible and career-changing achievement; to win all three in a 12-month period would create a legend of the sport overnight.”
Commenting on the title sponsorship, Arnaud Boetsch, Communication & Image Director of Rolex SA, said: “Throughout our history, Rolex has been driven by tradition and excellence, so when the three shows approached us with the idea of the Grand Slam of Show Jumping, we quickly appreciated its global resonance and degree of difficulty, which would make it achievable by only the very best horse-and-rider partnerships. As a long-term partner of these three shows, we were delighted to add our support to create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”
Michael Mronz, President of the Steering Committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping for 2013, said: “The three shows that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping not only have a natural synergy, but also a mutual respect for each other’s remarkable achievements and history. The collective desire and vision of all three shows to combine and form a pioneerin concept such as the Grand Slam of Show Jumping seemed like the natural thing to do."
“Due to their long-standing commitment to equestrian sport, Rolex was at the forefront of all three shows’ minds as a potential partner to the Grand Slam of Show Jumping, and we were all delighted when they accepted our invitation to develop it.”
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will become the riders’ ultimate achievement, setting a new standard for the sport worldwide.