Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

Often considered to be one of the toughest and most prestigious show jumping competitions in the world, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex held at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament was once again a true spectacle of the world’s best equestrian talent. In total, 34 combinations from 12 nations, including five of the top 10, took on the typically massive course designed by Leopoldo Palacios.

CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is the third Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major in the calendar year and the second to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The first round consisted of 17 fences and 12 combinations and was a true test of stamina, skill, and bravery for both horses and riders. It was third in the ring, Angelie Von Essen, who produced the first clear round of the class with her Selle Francais gelding Alcapone des Carmille. At the halfway mark, only four riders had finished the course faultless, including home favourite Tiffany Foster, who set the ‘International Ring’ alight with a foot-perfect round.

Disappointment came for the newly crowned FEI European Champion and 2021 winner of the class, Steve Guerdat, who was one of 10 riders in the class who faulted at fence 12. Shocks also came as some of the class favourites did not proceed to the second round including World No.4 Ben Maher, winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Scott Brash, and Dutch rider Harrie Smolders.

With the 12 top riders from the opening round proceeding into the next round, those who could produce a fast-four fault round would stay in contention for one of the sport’s most coveted prizes. Such riders included Canada’s Erynn Ballard and Egypt’s Nayel Nassar. In total, five riders cleared the technical course, including Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs who impressively jumped a portion of the course with only one stirrup after a huge jump from Leone Jei over the Canadian flag planks.

After a short break, the sold-out crowds waited with bated breath to welcome these incredible combinations back into the sun-bathed arena. Combinations returned in reverse order from the first round, with any combinations that tied on scores after this round proceeding to the jump-off. Only one rider on four faults from the opening round put pressure on those who carried forward zero faults, this was Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga, who looked pure class, breezing the course inside the time limit of 77 seconds. To the delight and cheers of the fans, Tiffany Foster was first to jump a double clear, and set the standard for the remaining three riders. Rolex Testimonee, Martin Fuchs, a double Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winner ensured that there would be a jump-off, meanwhile heartbreak came for the last to enter the arena, Fuchs’ fellow Testimonee Bertram Allen, who faulted at CPKC triple, meaning that just two would jump-off.

Anticipation was heavy in the air with Canadian fans hoping to have their first home victory since Captin Canada’s [Ian Millar] victory in 2014. Foster produced a respectable round with just one down in a time of 44.45 seconds. As the striking grey, Leone Jei, walked through the clock-tower you could hear a pin drop. The Swiss rider flew across the ‘International Ring’, with the scopey grey showing all of this talent, to cross the finish line clear in a time of 43.58 seconds and take the victory in this prestigious class.

Speaking of his victory, Fuchs commented: “It is unbelievable to win here at this historical show – I have always wanted to win this class. My dad competed here a number of times and never won. He told me that I would have to win for us both and I am so pleased that I have been able to do so!”

The new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, continued: “Leone Jei is incredible – he is such an amazing horse with so much talent! I have always thought he was the horse that could win this Grand Prix. It has been a perfect end to a perfect week! I haven’t had a single fault on any of my horses this week – it has been a dream come true.”

The Rolex Testimonee added: “He [Leone Jei] jumped incredibly in the first round – so well that he jumped me out of the saddle over the Canadian flag planks, and I lost my left rein and stirrup. I tried hard to get my stirrup back but had to jump three or fences before I could get it back. After the first round we had a discussion about changing his bit as he was so keen, but my dad told me that we shouldn’t do this and that I should just ride better!”

Please you tell us about your role and what it entails?

My name is Tommy Wheeldon Jr. and I am the head coach and general manager of Cavalry FC. I have been with the team since its inception – we launched in 2018. I first met Linda [Southern-Heathcott] at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in September 2017, and first pitched the idea about professional soccer on the ‘International Arena’ during a course walk.

Before joining Cavalry FC how much did you know about the sport of show jumping?

Interesting, I had been to Spruce Meadows to watch my stepdaughter, Tatum, compete several times before we launched the team. She is very passionate about equestrianism, as is my wife. When I first met my wife, my stepdaughter was competing regularly, and so I learnt about the sport from them initially. Funnily enough, we had attended an event with the Calgary Flames Family Foundation, and my stepdaughter was invited to ride on what is now at ATCO Field. I remember it being a big deal for her.  So yes, I have been around horses a little bit, it was fortuitous that received an invite to join a fellow friend of mine to ‘The Masters’ in 2017.

Have you found any similarities between the sports?

There are definitely similarities between both sports. They are two sports of details. They are both about relationships; if you think about the rider and the horse – they have to trust each other, and it is similar in football your players have to have trust in the tactics, the strategy and the training.

The layer of detail in equestrianism that is required is astonishing – one error in a 60 second round could cost you the win. This is also the case is soccer, as in a 90-minute game, one error could affect the result. These are both sports of fine margins.

The utmost professionalism is needed in both sports. For example, if you look at a show jumping, and the training and care that is taken after a horse it is so impressive. This also transcends to soccer in the way that our players are taken care of – from their diet to the way that they train. There are a lot of crossovers.

Equestrian has the Majors as does Tennis and Golf, what would you consider the four Majors of football?

Wembley Stadium has to be high up on the list as one of the four Majors of football. I would say the New Camp Stadium, although I have never been there. They are renovating it now so it will definitely be a special stadium to go to. Also, the Estadio Azteca in Mexico, I remember going there to watch the 1986 World Cup, and the stadium being packed. The last one would have to be the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy.  This is when I fell in love with football during the 1990 World Cup. I have had the chance to visit the stadium and it was such a wonderful place.  

Having experienced both football and equestrianism, what do you think they can learn from each other?

Equestrianism carries such a regality in the way that people dress and carry themselves – there is a reason why Rolex is involved in the sport. This is also the case with tennis for example with The Championships, Wimbledon.

I think what soccer has brought is, is that you have the same elegance when you enter Spruce Meadows but with a different fan experience. So, you get the same environment, but different experiences, which is pretty unique, especially for a place like Spruce Meadows. On one hand you have the ‘International Arena’, where riders are trying to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major where everything is quite quiet. Then you have ATCO Field where the crowd is much louder: from the first whistle to the last one, so it is really unique.

The other thing in terms of the performance is that our players now wear these GPS vests. This enables us as coaches to have a data point to see how hard the players are training and to see how fast they are running. I always speak to Ian Allison about this and ask if you would be able to monitor the horses and if they are overtraining or under training. It is always a fine margin with the detail. The use of technology could be an interesting crossover. I realise that there are timing gates but it would be interesting to monitor the health of horses as well.

Being located at a venue such as Spruce Meadows, where they keep innovating to get better, how does that motivate you and your team to keep improving?

I think Mrs. Southern-Heathcott said it best, this is a place of excellence that goes above and beyond. I think it defines what Spruce Meadows is. When you walk through the gates into Spruce Meadows, you feel the excellence. I have always been a believer that when you are at the top of the game, you change the game. I think, week in week out, year in year out, the Southern family and the Spruce Meadows leadership team are always trying to add another layer of excellence. It is just amazing to be part of this.

What we have tried to do on the soccer side is to be motivated to try and be the best. We are currently at the top of our league. I think we have won the most regular season points out of any team, and this  is the environment we have created. We have sustained the best winning record over five years, when we play at home. The environment that the team plays in is always key to performance and that is what Spruce Meadows has created.

Have you ever watched the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex here, and what did you think the atmosphere and level of competition were like – how this compare to when you play your matches?

Yes! I was invited as my friend was a Vice President of Telus and he invited me to meet Ian Allison and Linda Southern-Heathcott. The first thing that I said to Linda was how great the grass was! Soccer is a game has always been played on beautiful grass. Unfortunately in this country, you have to play on a lot of artificial surface but Spruce Meadows has the natural grass. So similar to Wimbledon, we pride ourself on that.

My follow up question to Linda was have you ever thought of playing a sponsored match? I noticed all the Rolex clocks, the WestJet signage – there were numerous respectable brands, and to me it looked like a soccer stadium. Linda asked how heavy my athletes were, to which I replied around 50-90kg each, and she said well our horses are 1,200 pounds so I am sure we can take 22 players on here, no problem.

It was just a passing comment at the time, but my friend had a meeting with her the following week, and he mentioned how there was a professional soccer league coming to Canada. Linda wanted to know the purpose. They have always been a family driven by purpose, and the purpose of this was  to help Canadians, and it just lit a match with her, as that was exactly how equestrianism was built by Mr. and Mrs. Southern. They decided to build a pathway for Canadians when there was not one in show jumping. Nowadays, Canada is competing in the Olympics, because there are places to come like Spruce Meadows that strive to be the best. So when the same message was given about helping Canadians, the family was inspired by it.

Regarding the atmosphere, the first thing I noticed was the glamour of it all, it is definitely a first-class venue. The intensity is what surprised me because I was expecting the crowd to be polite with only clap quietly. The anticipation was what really surprised me – you hold breath for the length of the round, and then when there is a clear round, everyone just lets out this sigh of relief. I thought that was incredible because I have not experienced anything like that in all the sports I have experienced and played.

During the summer, Spruce Meadows hosts both football and equestrian events, are there people that go to both – do you notice a cross over of fans?

I think that there is a cross over of fans, you can come to the same location and experience something totally different. There are people that have been to the Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market that have not been to  ‘The Masters’. Similarly, there are fans that attend a Cavalry FC game that have not experienced the equestrian events. I think that now people see Spruce Meadows as a destination. Now, I think people visit the grounds for the day and end up catching some of the high-performance show jumping before a football game so it is definitely starting to amalgamate.

Spruce Meadows has had a long history with the horse – Cavalry FC is now  five years old, how have you seen the sport grow here and how to you hope it grows over the next five years?

I think that we have stayed true to the original purpose of creating a pathway for Canadians to reach the highest level in the sport. Within our five years of the club, we have seen four players compete in the Canadian national team. This opportunity would not have happened if the club had not existed. I think the next goal will be for us to create a unique and world class soccer experience. Over the next 10 years, and especially with the 2026 World Cup coming through the US, Mexico, and Canada, I think that the game will continue to evolve in terms of participation but also in terms of interest of an audience spectacle.

Much like in equestrian where the horse and rider compete, fans often only see the players on the pitch, but there is so much going on behind the scenes that makes the players, can you tell us about your team.

It is interesting because just recently I was nominated as manager of the month in our league. In my opinion, it is an award for all the staff and the players that are committed to our process. This is turning up on time early in the morning to have a team breakfast to build camaraderie, to placing emphasis on developing our technique, to the physiotherapists that ensure that our athletes remain healthy, to our sport scientists who develop our tactics. There is so much behind the scenes that leads to our success. Our supporters also play a part, this season we had a very slow start to the season where we have had five ties in a row, but they still support us. I think it is a record that we have not won for five games, but we have also not lost. It was quite bizarre.

When the team is doing well, the players get the accolades and rightly so, but when the team is not doing well the coach is questioned. It is the only environment, I think, where the work that you do throughout the week is judged on the outcome of a 90-minute game. All the work you do behind closed doors is all in preparation for what the fans see on the weekend.

Can you please explain your official role and what this entails?

I am the course designer here at Spruce Meadows, and I have been working here for over 25 years. To be a good course designer you need to have a lot of experience in the sport, and you need to be able to create brilliant competition through your courses. I have a fantastic team that helps me and ensures that we provide the best course possible.

To ensure that the level of the sport continues to grow, it is vital that the horses are looked after, and so it’s a fine line between what is achievable for the horses and riders and what will push the sport forward.

What is so special about the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament?

I consider Spruce Meadows to be my home, and I consider the Southern family to be my family. I have been working here for over 25 years and in my opinion, there is nowhere quite like it. The team is extremely special, and the level of detail and planning that goes into the event is incredibly impressive.

As a course designer, there can be a lot of pressure to build a great course that lives up to the standards of Spruce Meadows, but the team here places their trust and confidence in my work.

The CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is often considered to be one of the toughest courses in the world, what makes it so unique?

As a course designer, you have to consider a number of factors including the height and width of the fences, the time allowed, the layout of the course, the design of the fences, and the slope of the ring. It is important for us to focus on all aspects and ensure that a balance is achieved – this is what makes a good Grand Prix – and it is a balance that I think we have achieved here at Spruce Meadows.

We [course designers] can be compared to choreographers – we want to ensure that the class is a true spectacle for those who are watching. We try to get the balance right for everyone, from the horses and riders to the fans.

In the past, I have designed courses for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In my opinion, the course for the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, here in Spruce Meadows is bigger and harder than the Olympic courses.

Can you please give us some insight into the course? 

It is a very testing course. In the first round, there will be 13 fences with one triple and double, and in the second round there are 12 fences with one triple and double again – it is a lot of jumping. The spreads and the height of the fences will be very big as well! Here at Spruce Meadows, we have a collection of fences that come from every Olympic Games and Major championship since 1974, so the course always looks amazing.

During the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, here at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, I use fences that have not been jumped during the previous classes for example; the double of Liverpool’s, the dry ditch and the water jump.

The Grand Prix is a different type of course from the Nations Cup course which is more classic. In my opinion, the CPKC ‘International’ is more demanding on the horses and riders, and the purpose of this class is to emphasise the impressive skills of the horse and rider combinations and provide great sport for the fans.

How important is it to have the best riders competing here at Spruce Meadows?

In this year’s edition of the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, we have six out of the top 10 riders in the world competing. The event attracts the best in the world, and this allows me as the course designer to be creative when testing the level of the horse and riders. The course needs to be challenging, especially the second round. In the second round, the 12 best riders from the first round compete; they really are the crème de la crème of the sport, and with this level of talent, I can truly test them with my course.

The line that contains the double Liverpool will be challenging – it is a special feature for the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, here at Spruce. Whilst I like to use this feature every year, I differ it slightly year on year. It is my job to come up with new and innovative ideas for the course each year – which is not easy!

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. How positive has it been? 

I have seen a change over the last 10 years. Rolex has helped the sport exponentially – all of the best riders in the world aim to ride in these Majors. It is truly remarkable to have the world’s best riders competing to win these Majors.

At Spruce Meadows, we had the privilege of witnessing Scott Brash being the first and only rider to achieve the incredible feat of winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping back in 2015. That was a such memorable and incredible day – it is something that I will never forget.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has definitely added another level to the sport. In my opinion, there is nothing more important than the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in the sport.

Do you have a highlight in your career?

I have experienced a number of special moments in my career, but the one that stands out is when Scott Brash won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping here at Spruce Meadows in 2015. It was truly incredible – the audience and riders were all rooting for him and wanting him to win. The atmosphere that day was something I have never experienced before!

What advice would you give someone starting in the sport as a course designer? 

My piece of advice is to love horses and to be truly passionate about what you do. You should always try to continue to learn about horsemanship as it helps you progress in the sport. I monitor the emotions of horses, analyse statistics, and observe what occurs during the show. You shouldn’t enter into this business in the hopes of being rich and successful, but you should enter for the love of the sport. It is my passion for the sport that has brought me here today.

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On the second day of the 2023 edition of the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, 42 of the world’s best horse and rider combinations took on Leopoldo Palacios’ stunningly designed course in the hopes of securing their place in the pinnacle class of the show, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. 

The iconic International Arena, which has played host to numerous historic moments in the sport, including Scott Brash’s incredible Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping victory in 2015, was beautifully bathed in the late summer sun. First to enter the arena, Ireland’s Conor Swail, who claimed this class last year, set the standard for the remaining combinations with a perfectly judged clear round. It was only five horses later that the newly crowned FEI European Champion and Rolex Testimonee, Steve Guerdat, ensured that there would be a jump-off as he mastered the technical course aboard the impressive gelding Albfuehren’s Maddox. 

The world-class field truly impressed the knowledgeable Canadian crowd with a total of 15 riders clearing the 1.55m, 12 combination course faultlessly. The elite list of riders included the winner of the ATCO Cup earlier in the day, Martin Fuchs, and Britain's Matthew Sampson, a regular winner at the venue. The crowd also were thrilled to see Canadian riders Mario Deslauriers and Erynn Ballard finish the first-round fault-free.

Three combinations elected not to return to the jump-off, meaning that 12 combinations proceeded to the jump-off. Entering the ring in the same order that they jumped in the first round, it was second to go, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, who jumped the first double clear of the class in a time of 44.27 seconds and set the pace for those to follow. However, fourth into the arena Richard Vogel with the big striding stallion, United Touch S, eclipsed Guerdat’s lead with a time of 43.07 seconds. The pressure was then on the remaining competitors to match the time set by the young German rider. America’s Natalie Dean came closest to taking the title away from Vogel, but eventually crossed the finish line in a time of 43.63 seconds to take second place. 

Speaking on his victory Vogel stated: “I feel amazing! My horse jumped incredibly – I think he really likes the ring here. He jumped superbly in the first round and gave me a great feeling in the jump-off. The size of the arena here suits him very well, he has so much scope and such a big stride so I can leave out strides without ever chasing him. We tried our best and luckily it was enough to take the win.”

Commenting on his plan for the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, the German continued: “I was planning on competing him in the class tomorrow to get him used to the ring, as it is his first time at Spruce Meadows. The arena here is so unique – you do not get the opportunity to ride in one like this very often! He felt so confident and jumped so well, so now I have to decide if don’t jump him until Sunday or if I stick to my original plan.”

How has planning been going for this year’s event?

The planning for the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament has been going extremely well. We have had several capital projects that we undertook and these are now all completed. The place looks beautiful and we are ready for the world to join us.

Is there anything new that the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament has introduced this year? Will you be doing anything special to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

We have introduced new seating for our guests, with new seats on the East Side. We are currently building a restaurant that will not be ready until 2025 as it is still under construction. We have put in tables and seats in the West Grandstand, have been working on the footing, and have introduced new footing in the warm-up ring for the international horses. We also have a new tunnel, and have put in drainage for the warm-up footing. There has been lots of things happening and changing!

The main business for Spruce Meadows is the horse, and our show jumping events, but our venues are built to be versatile. We host business meetings along with business council meetings, tours and a large Christmas market. We were ranked fourth in the world for our international Christmas market. We have indoor tournaments as well as a big dog show in the summer where 3,000 dogs compete. At Christmas time we have a beautiful drive-through light program, so people can drive the venue and enjoy the beautiful holiday lights.  

On Sunday during the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, we'll be doing a tribute to the horse and to the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping as well as launching the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. How has the initiative positively impacted Spruce Meadows as a show?

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has impacted us immensely through the collaboration of such a wonderful partner, Rolex, but also with other venues. It ensured that we continually push ourselves to be better and to create new opportunities. As organisers of the four Majors, we are all aligned as far as any safety protocols and on the treatment and welfare of the horses. We all have an ESG program, and create ESG reports.  I think overall, we were leaders in the space before, but we are even stronger now with the partnership because we are all working together.

What has been your personal highlight from the first 10 years of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

My personal highlight which is near and dear to my heart is Scott Brash winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, because it happened at Spruce Meadows. What remains the most memorable to me was that as he came down the last line, which is the double of Liverpools beside the end gate, all of the riders were out watching and cheering for him. That was a really special moment because riders do not always cheer other riders on due the nature of competitions. In this case, they really, truly wanted him to win.

What is your advice to someone who wants to get into the sporting events industry?

The best advice I could give is that patience is key; nothing is built in a year or two years, you have to stay committed. Patience is key when you are working for excellence, but you cannot achieve this in a couple of years; you have to have the patience to continually try to improve, and then you will eventually see success. So, I think patience is the one word.

For you, as well as the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, what are the key components that make a successful sporting event, or sporting major?

Teamwork. You have to have a strong team with you and around you. You need to be able to  successfully communicate what the vision is, but it is the teamwork that helps you be successful.

So here at Spruce Meadows, we have 95 full-time employees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost all of our office staff but we have a full complement of office staff again, and they are doing a fabulous job.

Like the tennis legends Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, who have dominated the tennis world and its Majors, how important is it to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament to have the best in the world competing at your event?

Well, obviously it is of most importance to have the best horses and riders competing here. The challenge for Spruce Meadows is always the calendar. For example, this year when the flight came over from Europe with the horses, it conflicted with the FEI European Championships. Sadly, that means that some of those horses are not able to compete. But this year, we still have six of the top 10 in the world coming here to compete. I believe that if we can continue to offer the best, then we will continue to see the best come.

The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, is often considered to be the leading equestrian venue in North America, how do you ensure that you continue to innovate and adapt to ensure you maintain this status?

For us, we look at four stakeholders, and we try and improve the experience for at least one of the stakeholders every year. Our stakeholders are the sponsors, the media, the athletes, and the fans. In terms of improvements, it may be redoing the skyboxes for the sponsors, changing the footing for the athletes or offering unique experiences for the fans. If we continue to attract the top riders then the media will continue to write and report about them, which is also very important.

Do you and the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament organisers take inspiration from any of sport’s other major competitions, e.g., in tennis or golf?

We absolutely do take inspiration from other major competitions. It is slightly different over here in North America than compared to in Europe and England as we want to vie for the front page. So, it is important for us to understand who is on the front page, is it football or is it the US Open right now? That is what we are vying for, so we have to continue to create great stories for the media to report on.

Additionally, we travel the world, not only to show jumping events but to tennis, golf, and Formula One events, to observe what they are doing to continually improve the experience for the fans. It is very important for us and we take one group and try and improve their experience each year.

Can you introduce yourself, tell us who you work for, and what your role is?

My name is Kerry Finch, and I have been working with John Whitaker for five years as his travelling groom.

Tell us a little a bit about your journey to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament

We flew over to Calgary after competing at the Brussels Stephex Masters in Belgium. We stayed at Helena Stormann’s in Eschweiler for five days after Stephex, before travelling onto Canada. My journey to the airport only took an hour which was great – I arrived there at 3.00am to check on the horses before they flew. After that, I travelled from Brussels to Paris to catch our flight to Calgary, and we arrived two-and-a-half hours before the horses landed to ensure that everything was okay.

How important is the whole team – vets, farriers etc. – in ensuring the success of the team?

It is extremely important – there is definitely a strong team aspect, as without everybody pulling together and doing their job, we would not be successful. It is vital for every team member to constantly coordinate with one another to ensure that everyone is kept in the loop. Everyone plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of these horses; it is not just the people who attend the shows, it’s also everyone that remains at home.

Can you tell us about the horses that you have brought with you and what their characters are like?

We have brought three horses with us to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and they are Equine America Unick du Francport, Sharid, and Green Grass.

Unick du Francport is very special in his own way and very quiet. You cannot be sharp around him, you have to remain quiet as he is quite a sensitive horse in that respect. At the same time, he knows what he wants, and does what he wants. If you are hand grazing him and he sees a spot of grass that he wants, he will head there and will not go where you want until he gets his way. Otherwise he is a really easy horse to look after.

Then there is Sharid, who travels with him [Equine America Unick du Francport] – they have travelled together for nearly three-and-a-half years now. They know each other really well and have a habit of whinnying after each other but they do not stress out if one has left the stable. Sharid is another lovely horse to look after; he loves to sleep. You know that something is not right when he does not go back to bed after breakfast to sleep on the floor! He is definitely a gold medallist when it comes to sleeping. He can be a bit sharp when John gets on him so I have candies available to help settle him. He has become so used to this routine that now he just stands there looking at me whilst expecting a treat. Horses learn very quickly.

Then there is Green Grass, he loves food and rolling! All the horses are lovely; they all have different personalities. They are spoilt really!

What are the facilities like for both yourself as a groom and the horses at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament?

There is no other show that can compare to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in the world. CHIO Aachen is an incredible show that is brilliant to attend, but Spruce Meadows enters a whole new level. There is so much space in the stables, and paddocks that we can turn the horses out in – everything is incredibly clean and tidy. They also provide shuttle services for the grooms which makes life easier. The organisers have provided areas where we can hand walk the horses, and we are not restricted to certain areas. The facilities are just top class here at Spruce Meadows.

There is no other show in the world that will go above and beyond what they do. I have attended the show in the past when it has snowed, and straight away they began shovelling the show by hand. I was also here in 2005 when it rained for two weeks straight – I have never seen anything like it. They were proactive by pumping water off the main rings. The ground held up so well so we were able to still jump on it. When you have a problem they sort it – it is truly one of my favourite shows!

How much do you enjoy coming to the Majors – The Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, and CHI Geneva? In your opinion, what sets them apart from the other shows?

I have actually been doing this job for nearly 30 years, and I have never actually attended The Dutch Masters, however CHI Geneva is a beautiful indoor show, and CHIO Aachen is just incredible! All of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors go above and beyond. They set up areas where the grooms can get coffee and other similar things as well, and if there is a problem they do everything they can to help solve it.

How special it to be part of John Whitaker’s team?

I initially joined John Whitaker’s team as a freelance, and I was only supposed to be with him for a month but I never left. Previously, before joining John, I worked for Michael [Whitaker] for 13 years. I also worked with Billy Twomey for six years. It is really easy working for John; everything is really old school and simple. If you find a bridle that works for a horse, you do not change it. My horse has had the same bridle for the last three-and-a-half years – that is kind of how it works. Things are simple, and if there is a problem we just deal with it. Everything is just really old school. We are not into having horses treated every six weeks but if they need treatment, they will receive it.

John is 68-years-old now and he does not stop when he is back at home. He is up in the morning tacking his own horses up and riding them. Afterwards, he then looks after the cows and the hay on the farm or anything that needs mending or fixing on the farm.

He is really humble; nothing goes to his head. If anyone approaches him for an autograph, he will always stop and talk to them for five minutes. It is never too much for him.

What qualities do you think that John has that has meant he has been so successful for so long?

John does not give up; he just keeps going. There is no determination to out prove anyone or anything; it is just the way he is. He is someone that gets on with it, and who continually keeps going. I think the day he stops will be the day that the world does not have a John Whitaker. Age does not define him!

Five years ago, John bought Equine America Unick Du Francport who was quite the character. He was difficult and would stop and spin when things upset him. John did not have a Grand Prix horse at that time, Argento was at the end of his career, so we were not entering into the big competitions. Afterwards, it was two years of grafting, doing all the tours and the county shows in order for Equine America Unick Du Francport to settle down. John was determined, and kept on going until the penny dropped.  If you look at them now, they are unstoppable. In the last few years, they have formed quite the partnership.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to get into industry?

A lot of people come into the industry for the money but it is important to be passionate for the job and not look at the hours of it. It is as difficult as it sounds; you are there for the horses. It is a way of life and not just a job. You have to put your heart and soul into it for it to be done properly. It is not easy!

You cannot think that you are better than anybody else. The mantra should be that if you do not know, you should ask for help.  A lot of younger grooms that come in today that do not want to take advice from the older grooms – but they should be like a sponge learning from everyone around them. I learnt from doing exactly this. The first time I flew to Spruce Meadows, I had never flown with horses before – I was only 20-years-old and I learnt from all of the other grooms around me.

What is the grooms’ community like? Do grooms support one another?

Overall, it is a supportive community. This year, in Spruce Meadows, there are 16 of us from Europe and we all arrange together what time we get the shuttle to do night checks. Some people only have one horse here, and they are always happy to help out those who have a few! It is the simple things that are important. For example, I have asked someone to help me during the Nations Cup parade. Everyone is really helpful, and this is very important in the grooming industry. 

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping returns to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament from 6-10 September 2023, with the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, taking place on the Sunday – acting as a fitting finale to a thrilling five days of sporting excellence. The show will welcome some of the world’s best horse and rider combinations to what is often regarded as the leading equestrian venue in North America, located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary.

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Rider Watch

The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament this year will host a world-class line up, all of whom have the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, set in their sights – the third Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2023.

One of the favourite’s for taking this year’s win is the defending champion, Daniel Deusser, who finished in second place in the Rolex Grand Prix of CHIO Aachen earlier this summer, by just 0.61 seconds, aboard the magnificent Killer Queen VDM. Deusser has already experienced victory on the North American circuit this year, having had a successful run in various CSI5* classes part of the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International, Florida.

Deusser is one of six Rolex Testimonees competing at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, with World No.4 Martin Fuchs leading the way. The Swiss has shown his class for many years, with successes including winning consecutive Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in 2019 and 2021, winning the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2022, and more recently jumping a double-clear to help secure the Swiss team win in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup at CHIO Aachen earlier this year.

Fuchs’ Swiss teammate and fellow Rolex Testimonee, Steve Guerdat, will also be making the journey to Canada, looking for a repeat of his 2021 performance, where he claimed the prestigious CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex title. Guerdat has not missed a Major throughout the 10-year existence of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.  Kent Farrington was second to Guerdat in the 2021 CPKC ‘International’ presented by Rolex, and is looking to go one better, two years on. As a regular at the Calgary venue, Farrington and his team of horses have the advantage of knowing the arena and most importantly, how to win there – having already picked up three wins in CSI5* classes at Spruce Meadows this summer.

British rider, Scott Brash, will undoubtedly have fond memories of this venue, due to it being the place where he made history, becoming the first – and only rider to date – to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2015, after sealing his third consecutive Major win in the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, a class he went on to win again in 2016. Brash will also be joined by London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic teammate, Ben Maher. Maher, who won individual gold in Tokyo, suffered a shoulder injury at the beginning of the year, but bounced back remarkably quickly to secure a second-place finish at his first big show back, in the Rolex Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Maher has gone on to have a brilliant 2023 season, with his most recent success story being the part he played in the winning FEI Nations’ Cup™ team at Hickstead in July. Also part of that team, and joining Brash and Maher in Calgary, will be John Whitaker, one of Britain’s most decorated riders, having competed in 39 World and European Championships, as well as on six Olympic teams in his long and remarkable career.

The home crowd will be delighted to welcome several Canadian riders to the stage, with many hopes of bringing the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex title home resting on the highest-ranked Canadian rider, Tiffany Foster. Foster has already had two CSI5* wins at Spruce Meadows this summer, showing she knows what it takes to deliver in the grand arena. Other Canadian challengers include Amy Millar, whose father Ian was the last Canadian to win the Spruce Meadows Major on Dixson in 2014, as well as Erynn Ballard and Mario Deslauriers.

The European presence at the show will be headlined by World No.3 Harrie Smolders, who has secured podium placings in many esteemed competitions this year, after getting off to a strong start by claiming the CSI5* Nab Bliksembeveiliging Prize at his hometown Major show, The Dutch Masters, back in March. Smolders finished in second place at the FEI World Cup^TM Finals in both 2022 and 2023, firmly cementing his name in the pool of riders with the upmost talent. Another one to watch is Pieter Devos, winner of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Major in 2013. Devos, named Rider of the Year in Belgium in 2020, was part of the bronze medal winning team at the Tokyo Olympic Games, so knows how to ride in pressurized circumstances.

The Irish flag will be flown by Darragh Kenny and Connor Swail, as well as Rolex Testimonee Bertram Allen. Top 10 rider Swail has had recent success at Jumping International de Dinard in July, where he won both the Prix du Conseil Departemental d’Ille & Vilaine and the Prix L’Eperon – Charles de Cazanove. Allen has also had a successful season to date and having won two CSI5* classes at the Dublin Horse Show earlier this month, he will be travelling to Calgary with high levels of confidence.

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios will undoubtedly set a challenge for the horse and rider combinations competing in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex this year. The field of competitors is set to be comprised of some of the very best, and it is sure to be a spectacle to watch them battle it out in the ultimate quest to become the next Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping winner.

The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament will once again welcome the world’s best horse and rider combinations to Calgary, Canada for five days of intense show jumping competition from 6-10 September 2023. Based in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Spruce Meadows is considered to be one of North American’s premier equestrian venues. Spectators attending the show will  not only experience spectacular scenery but thrilling competition, alluring shopping, and inspiring entertainment.

The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament will be the second Major to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, with celebrations beginning at CHIO Aachen in June, exactly 10 years after the first Major took place. Within this, the focal point of the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, the third Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2023, will provide a fitting conclusion to five days of sporting excellence.

Aside from the world class show jumping on display, the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament provides spectators with various different activities to keep everyone entertained. The beloved MARKT will be featuring again, providing a great opportunity to purchase everything from fine art to equine products. One can easily be enthralled and captivated whilst browsing the stalls of the 150 vendors attending.

Throughout the week, the Blacksmith World Championships will take place in the Behind Equi-Plex arena. The daily competitions are a brilliant opportunity to witness the great skill, precision and accuracy required through the categories of forge work, blade-smithing, and wielding. In addition, equine inspired demonstrations and live entertainment will take place daily, varying from a live tutorial held by Jonathan Field on the topic of Horsemanship, to demonstrations held by Canadian, Pia Formuller, on Grand Prix Dressage, and Vaulting demonstrated by the Diamond Willow Vaulting Club. Prepare to come away amazed and full of knowledge!

Furthermore, there will be opportunities throughout the week for members of the public to be able to visit members of The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Mounted Troop, The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, both situated in the East and West Meadows.

Wednesday will see the start of the 5* jumping classes, with both the Cardel Homes Cup and the TELUS Cup being held in the spectacular International Ring, which has benefitted from an ungraded grandstand for the 2023 event. The TELUS Cup provides the first chance for riders to qualify for the prestigious CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex on the Sunday.

Friday celebrates once again the fans favourite: the WESTJEST Evening of the Horse. This spectacular performance will dazzle fans with appearances by the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, with the Tourmaline Oil Cup and ATCO Electric Six Bar providing top-class international show jumping. To add to the occasion, the skies of Calgary shall be illuminated by a crescendo of sound and colour, with live music and fireworks during the finale.

Saturday 9 September will be a showcase of passion and teamwork with the BMO Nations’ Cup. The team format competition will see the world’s best show jumpers come together to represent their countries, with eight nations going head to head over a possible two rounds of competition.

The CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex will take center stage in the International Ring on Sunday 10 September. It is considered as one of the sport’s toughest tests, requiring the greatest levels of precision, harmony and bravery from horse and rider. Course designer, Leopoldo Palacios, will undoubtedly create a brilliant challenge that will result in a captivating and gripping watch for the crowds attending the show. The competition is expected to be fierce, with numerous former Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winners in the field, including last year’s triumphant Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser.

The stallion who lives up to his name – Stargold

The Oldenburg stallion, Stargold (Stakkato Gold - Charme x Lord Weingard, bred by Gestüt Sprehe GmbH), produced four clear-rounds out of five in the two most important classes at the CHIO Aachen. In the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Nations' Cup, he and Marcus Ehning picked-up eight faults, but in the second round they jumped clear. In the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix, they rode an impressive three clear rounds and, as the last rider to go in the jump-off, set the fastest time, claiming victory of the historic Major. What is the story behind Stargold?

Holsteiner roots

Stargold's pedigree takes us to Schleswig-Holstein, more specifically to the town of Haselau and Hetlingen. It was in Haselau that most of the stallions stood which formed the early generations of the motherline of Stargold. The line was formed by the breeder Hans Hatje from Hetlingen, and has produced top-quality horses for over 40 years. In 1980, Canaris 17 (Calando I - Ditlena x Ladykiller, breeder: Hans Hatje) was born. This gelding had more than 140 placings at 1.40m and above and jumped at 1.55m,all under the rider Holle Nann.

Hans Hatje died about 15-years-ago, and with no children to continue his breeding work, theHolsteiner Verband stallion station in Haselau was taken over by the Lienau family. Although stallions no longer reside at the yard, the legacy remains. Otto Lienau grew up with all the breeders in his area who brought their mares to the stallions at the stud. Looking back, Lienau recalls: "I remember very well the mare Ditlena by Ladykiller xx (born in 1967). She was a very important and beautiful mare. She was selected by the Holsteiner Association to represent the Holsteiner mares at the DLG show in Munich, and they travelled there by train. Her grandmother, Edelia, by Loretto, was also an important mare for this line. At the end of the Second World War, Hans Hatje was forced to hand over his mares to the German army. He was allowed to choose a filly from another farm here in our area. If you look at his line, you can see that from the mare, Norwegen, by Farnese, born in 1976, down to at least Erle, by Omar, born in 1908, were 'made in Haselau'. Contender also played an important role at our stud. He is in the third generation of Stargold. It is a good feeling to see the genetics I know so well in one of the best jumping horses of today.”

Charmonie

Andre Emke explains the story behind the mare, Charmonie, by Contender, the second dam of Stargold: "My parents found the Contender mare by chance at a horse dealer in South Oldenburg. At the time, the Contender mare was in poor nutritional condition and had a foal at foot. When my parents saw the mare with the foal, they took pity on them and took them home with them. After the mare was cared for and nursed at our home, her nutritional condition improved. My parents then decided to inseminate the mare with the stallion Lord Weingard. The decision to inseminate the mare with this stallion was based on the fact that we value the Landadel blood very highly. In addition, the dam's sister (Lady Weingard) was a highly talented show jumper under Markus Beerbaum, which convinced us very much. This foal was a filly, Charme, and is the dam of Stargold. From this line we currently have a direct daughter out of Charmonie, a mare by Stakkato (Stakko`s Girl), with a filly by Conthargos at foot. Stakko`s Girl is a half-sister to the dam of Stargold. She has already produced her first successful advanced (S) level offspring (Quid Primaire-H) as well as several auction foals. We also have two daughters by Stakkato (granddaughters of Charmonie) on our farm. A two-year-old mare by Quidam de Revel and a seven-year-old mare by Quasimodo van de Molendreef (Quantica), who is currently carrying a premium colt by Diamant de Semilly. Charmonie is also the dam of the Hanoverian approved stallion Statis Conti (Stakkato), who is competing at 1.45m with Bronislav Chudyba. Her son, Contenders XC (Concetto I), jumped at 1.50m with three different riders.”

Gestüt Sprehe

Stargold was licensed as a three-year-old and became champion for the jumping stallions at the Munich-Riem Stallion Licensing. The Sprehe stallion then passed his 30-day test with a score of 8.7 for jumping ability. Jan Sprehe remembers: "We were very lucky with the dam, Charme. We bought her from Klatte at the EOS foal auction because she had a good pedigree and she became a very good mare. We were lucky with Stargold too. He was champion of the show jumping stallions at the stallion approvals in Munich-Riem. We started him under saddle. I rode him for a while. Vanessa Meyer started with me as a groom, but she did all his training in sport. I always had a strong feeling about him. I took him over from Vanessa when he was six-years-old and then rode him to qualify for the Bundeschampionat and the Youngster classes. He was always a top horse, he always jumped clear and he was always successful. Tobias Meyer also rode him very successfully – they won several young horse classes and the Bundeschampionat for seven-year-olds. Then Marcus Ehning noticed him and called me. That's how we got in touch. Marcus is of course a world-class rider. I took Stargold to him to try and the rest is history. His sire, Stakkato Gold, has been number one in the breeding index for a long time and ultimately we owe a lot to Stakkato Gold. He has passed on his incredible jumping ability to his offspring. Nine out of ten of his offspring can really jump. He now has several offspring at the highest level! We have always concentrated on sport with Stargold, because sport and breeding are very demanding, however we do still have frozen semen from him.”

Sprehe continues: “Stargold’s full sister, So Charme, also has a lot of quality and is doing well in the youngster classes with Tobias Meyer. The combination of Stakkato Gold and Charme has proved to be a good one, already producing two outstanding horses. It was a certain feeling that we had with this cross and you also need a lot of luck in breeding and training these horses.”

Vanessa Meyer, who was instrumental in the training of Stargold, recounts: "I got Stargold at the beginning of his  fourth year. He had a great attitude to the sport from the start, always over-enthusiastic. Stargold won almost every showjumping competition we entered, and I knew after two or three competitions that he would always be patted on the neck after the last jump to reward his efforts. From then on he always bucked after the last jump – as he still does today. I was certainly no pro and often made mistakes, but he always saved me. We rode our first international competition in Italy and brought home three wins in 1m40 classes in three weeks. Stargold has always been a very special horse to me. Tobi took over with him at the beginning of his seventh year and there was hardly a show where Stargold didn't bring home a winning ribbon. Tobias Meyer still rides his full-sister, who is now seven-years-old."

The last words are for Jan Sprehe: "There's no need to talk about Stargold's qualities, he's one of the best horses in the world with Marcus. We are very proud of him and we cheer with every success! We are also very happy that it has worked out so well!”

Beyond the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex is the title partner of a number of coveted summer Grands Prix. Over the course of four months, beginning in May, and drawing to a close in August, the world’s best horse and rider combinations gather at some of the most iconic shows across Europe and North America to contest these elite competitions.

Royal Windsor Horse Show hosted the first Rolex Grand Prix of the summer season. Bathed in the glorious afternoon sunshine, Windsor Castle provided a fitting backdrop for this prestigious class. In total, nine combinations made it through to the jump-off, delivering top-class entertainment for the packed-out grandstands. It was, however, the battle between Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs, and the 2020 Individual Olympic Champion Ben Maher, that truly set the crowds alight. The Swiss rider’s spectacular turn to the penultimate fence secured his victory aboard Conner Jei by 0.40 seconds. Ben Maher and Explosion W therefore settled for second place, with Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro completing the podium in third.

Held from 25–28 May, the Eternal city hosted the 90^th edition of the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, staged in the magnificent Villa Borghese gardens. The Italian course designer, Uliano Vezzani’s masterfully designed course, saw 11 combinations from the 50 starters proceed to the jump-off. The 5* Rolex Gran Premio Roma has been won by some of the sport’s best athletes, with the prize this year going to FEI European Championships individual gold and team silver medallist, André Thieme. Sweden’s Jens Fredricson riding Markan Cosmopolit claimed the runner-up spot, ahead of Brazil’s Stephen de Freitas Barcha and Primavera Imperio Egipcio.

Held on the stunning shores of the Atlantic Ocean in western France, the Jumping International de La Baule has welcomed elite level show jumping for over 60 years. Often considered to be one of the most picturesque shows on the equestrian calendar, top horses and riders can often be spotted riding on the beautiful beaches each morning. The exquisite scenery provided a fitting location for the fierce competition take took place on the last day of the show. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts, with the ever-competitive mare Katanga v/h Dingeshof, produced two faultless and fast clear rounds to claim their first 5* victory together. Last to go in the jump-off, Sweden’s Jens Fredricson came home just 0.32 seconds slower to take second place once again, while the World No.1, Henrik von Eckermann, took third place.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Spruce Meadows, held their ‘Summer Series’ presented by Rolex. From June to July, the venue held four Tournaments, providing a chance for those combinations aiming to compete at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, a part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, an opportunity to participate at the impressive venue. Three 5* Grands Prix presented by Rolex took place over the five-week period including the ‘Continental’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex, which was won by Canada’s Mario Deslauriers, RBC Grand Prix of Canada presented by Rolex won by Brazil’s Santiago Lambre, and the Pan American Cup presented by Rolex which was claimed by Ireland’s David Blake.

The Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, held on Sunday 30 July at Jumping International de Dinard, a show which has over 110-years of history, saw 40 of the best horse and rider combinations, including last year’s victor Martin Fuchs, compete in the famous arena. With 15 combinations mastering the first round of the competition, the jump-off was set to be electric, and fittingly, it was Max Kühner with his consistent 12-year-old Elektric Blue P who claimed the win in this prestigious class. Fuchs could not quite repeat his victories in 2021 and 2022, but he did finish third with the striking grey, Leone Jei, whilst Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz took second.

The Brussels Stephex Masters will round off the summer season, from 23–27 August. Held close to one of Belgium’s famous landmarks, the Atomium, fans can expect to experience equestrian sport at its highest level. The 2022 show saw Peder Fredricson take an impressive victory in the Rolex Grand Prix on the final day, and the class is once again sure to provide a fitting finale to the Rolex summer season.

Can you introduce yourself, tell us who you work for, and what your role is?

My name is Melina, but most people call me Mel. I have been Marcus Ehning’s groom for the last seven years, both at shows and at home – I do everything!

What is he like to work for?

Great! He is very easy going and he trusts me a lot. Everyone at our stables are like family – Marcus’ sister manages the stables now, she used to groom for him before. I really enjoy working with Marcus, he is helpful, never late – in fact, he is often too early! When you need help, he is generous with his time. He is quite rightly, strict in the warm-up, but overall, he is friendly to everyone, including all of the grooms.

Can you explain the role that you have as a groom to coordinate the wider team, for example vets, physios, etc.

Between four and six weeks before the shows, we as a team, decide which horses we are going to send where, and manage together how we organize their physiotherapy, vet checks and everything else. We tend to leave Marcus slightly out of it, so he can concentrate on the riding. With the help of the management team at home, we organize all the health certificates, stabling, packing of the lorry etc.

How special was it being part of Marcus’ team when he won at CHIO Aachen?

It’s still a bit unbelievable, no one expected it. Stargold is so amazing for what he achieved at Aachen! He had already got so many good results previously in the year, but this was the first time he had jumped the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen. Everything came together this year, and it was just brilliant. It was the second time since I have been a groom for Marcus that he won the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen, it was an incredible day!

How special is Stargold, and what is it about him that makes him so successful?

He’s really simple. He is a stallion, but he behaves like he is not a stallion! He is not difficult to work with at all, and is very easy to figure out. He loves food and being in the field, although he doesn’t like hand walks – he prefers the crazy stuff! When I am with him at the shows, often in the mornings I’ll put a saddle on him and take him out for a hack, sometimes with other horses too.

As a groom you travel a lot with your horses, how do you ensure that they travel well?

You know your horses very well after working with them every day. You can see when they aren’t drinking well, or when they aren’t happy, so you know when to try and change things. For example, when to give them mash or water, and when to watch them to check they are eating enough and feeling happy.

Every horse is different. Some of them are super with drinking and eating, some of them don’t touch it. While some love to have their food buckets on the ground, others love to hang them up. Some love to eat hay, others don’t touch it – they are all different. However, because I know them so well, I know what they like and don’t like.

You can train horses to travel, or, if it’s a new horse, then ask their previous grooms how they were with travelling to make life easier.

Some horses are very excited when they come off the lorry, others are ready for bed! They are all unique characters, which makes it more fun!

How much do you enjoy coming to the Majors – The Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and CHI Geneva? In your opinion, what sets them apart from the other shows?

All the four Majors are different. I have been to all of them, and had the luck to already win at two of them –  CHI Geneva and CHIO Aachen. The stadiums are different, but the atmosphere is always great. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors are different to other shows, there is just something so unique about the four Majors coming together. At the Majors, you always see the best competition and the greatest riders all vying to win.

This atmosphere is particularly special for Marcus at Aachen. He loves to do it, with him being German and Aachen being his home show, he loves to compete there. There is never any discussion about whether we are going to Aachen or not!

It’s the same for other riders too – for Martin Fuchs it’s Geneva because he has the home crowd there. For Dutch riders like Harry Smolders, it’s the Dutch Masters, and for riders such as Eric Lamaze it’s Spruce Meadows.

For the riders, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is not only an opportunity to win a lot of money, but a title that stays with you forever. For example, Scott Brash’s Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping win is something that everyone will always remember – his three wins, across three different Majors that are all unique is something remarkable.

It is the 10-year anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping - how do you think the initiative has changed the sport over the past 10 years?

The Rolex Grand Slam has helped more and more money get invested into the sport, which pushes and motivates the riders. For everyone, even non-horsey people, achieving the Rolex Grand Slam is something remarked as phenomenal. I have friends who know nothing about horses, but they know the Rolex Grand Slam.

What has been your proudest moment as a groom?

There have been a few! I was so proud of Misanto Pret A Tout the year that he won the FEI Jumping World Cup^TM in Madrid in 2019, having come back from an injury. The German Championships were also amazing this year, with Marcus having last won the title 21 years ago, when he won this year, I thought ‘wow, I made it with him!’

Also, I have been lucky to win a few of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors with Marcus– we have won Aachen and Geneva together, which makes me really proud.

There are other things, like nominations for FEI Championships, that we work really hard for, and it makes me feel proud when we get selected. I also feel incredibly proud to see horses retiring – obviously you are both happy and sad, but proud to know what they achieved, and excited to see the new generation up and coming.

What is your favourite and least favourite part of the job?

I love to travel; I am probably one of the only grooms left to say this! In the lorry, on flights, everywhere – I don’t mind! I love to travel around the world and face new challenges. It doesn’t feel like work to me, it feels like I am doing my hobby as a job, which I still love, even twenty years on. I couldn’t imagine stopping. When you travel, you meet your friends, new people, see new shows and everything in between.

What advice would give to someone who would like to get into this career?

Being a groom is not easy, it is hard work. If you really love horses, and travelling to shows with them, you will love it. Sometimes you have to forget about yourself, because it is not an eight-hour job, but sometimes more like 24 hours! Although being a groom is a job that you can get a lot out of, and you will have some incredible moments throughout your career.

Every job has good and bad things, some people might get to head home when it hits 5pm, but as a groom it never stops! You are constantly thinking about the horses! You have the opportunity to meet a lot of people, horses and owners, which is fascinating.

What is the grooms’ community like? Do grooms support one another?

I have made some incredible friends, and at shows we try to all get together with barbeques and drinks. My friends are from all over the world. We also sometimes do other things together away from the horses, like going to festivals or concerts, which really strengthens the friendships.

Then there are also the times when you need help, and it’s great to know you have friends on the showground that you can ask for help from. For example, one time I was stuck at the airport because my visa was incorrect. I was two days late to a show, and my friends did my horses, without me even asking. If something is going wrong, my friends will help, because they know that I would do the same for them!

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is delighted to announce the development of a new and exciting video game. The retro-style game was fittingly revealed earlier this year at CHIO Aachen – the first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the initiative.

Gaining attraction from show jumping fans and world-class riders alike, including last year’s CHIO Aachen Rolex Grand Prix victor, Gerrit Nieberg, the game proved a popular attraction as part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Experience booth, where spectators can also get up close to memorabilia, including the Rolex Grand Slam Trophy, as well as exclusive branded merchandise that is unique to each of the Majors. The booth is also home to a spectacular new VR Experience, enabling you to be virtually transported to both FEI World Under-25 No.1 Harry Charles’ and a multiple Major winner, Steve Guerdat’s yards for a unique behind-the-scenes tour of their facilities and horses.

The video game will once again be available to play at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in September. The multi-player game allows fans to compete over show jumping courses at each of the iconic Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors venues, with competitors only able to exclusively compete over the course of the Major they are at.

Players can choose from a variety of different horses and must ensure that they carefully clear each of the fences as well as collect all of the apples to their boost speed to cross the finish line first and accumulate the most points. At Aachen next year, the game will be developed further to provide players to not only choose which horse they want, but also which course they would like to compete at.

Currently the game is only available to those who attend the Majors; however fans will be excited to learn that the game will be available globally online in the autumn, with the courses released in sync with the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping calendar. Followers should therefore be sure to keep up to date with the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping social media channels to learn more about release dates!

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Under the dazzling lights of CHIO Aachen’s iconic Hauptstadion, the world’s best horse and rider combinations gathered to contest the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe, the first 5* class of the 2023 Show. The 1.55m competition was held over two rounds, with all clear rounds proceeding to the jump-off. Attracting 53 riders, including the reigning individual Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher, and the current World No.5, Martin Fuchs, the competition was set to be fierce.

The Frank Rothenberger-designed course consisted of 14 combinations in the first round and eight in the second, and provided a suitable challenge for the riders, all of whom had their sights set on early qualification for Sunday’s prestigious Rolex Grand Prix class.

Dutch rider, Marc Houtzager, was first to clear the obstacles, but heartbreak came when he collected just two-time faults. It was, however, the young Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz, who was eighth to canter into the historic arena, who mastered the technical course aboard the impressive 11-year-old gelding Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof. Faults came throughout the course, but much to the delight and cheers of the German crowd, three German riders produced faultless rounds including last year’s Rolex Grand Prix winner Gerrit Nieberg.

Of the initial 53 riders, only seven proceeded to the jump-off. Riders returned to the arena in the same order as  the first round, so it was Schmitz once again who set the standard for those who followed, with a clear round in a time of 42.43 seconds. However, his lead was quickly usurped by the Brazilian Yuri Mansur, who crossed the line less than two-tenths of a second faster. The German crowd held their breath as their three representatives entered the arena one after another, but neither Richard Vogel, Philipp Weishaupt nor Gerrit Nieberg could produce the rounds that they may have hoped for, with all three riders accumulating penalties for knocked fences. Mansur’s lead could now only be beaten by one combination, the in-form Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei, but after a slight slip to the second fence, the former FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final winner could not make up the time to secure the win, resulting in the Brazilian claiming his first CHIO Aachen victory.

Speaking on his success, the emotional Mansur said: “This win is so special. In 2018, I came to Aachen for the first time, and I was clear in the first round of this competition, but in the second round things did not go as we wanted them to. But day by day, I’ve worked hard and wanted to be the best. Every year I have returned to Aachen and we have got better and better, and now I have won a class. This is the biggest win in my career.”

Thrilled with his partner, Mansur continued: “This mare [Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm] is just unreal. She was only jumping 1.30m a year ago and she is only nine-years-old. She is still very inexperienced and so what she has achieved this evening is just amazing. I was one of the first people to import horses from Europe to Brazil at the beginning of my career. I am now the one promoting Brazilian bred horses, and my mare is the best example of how talented they are!”

Can you introduce yourself, tell us who you work for, and what your role is?

I’m David Honnet, I’m 35-years-old, and I have worked for Scott Brash for seven years now – previously I was the groom for Cameron Hanley. I arrived here on Sunday with Scott’s horses, I am going to be taking care of them all week, and hopefully we will have a good week!

Tell us a little a bit about your journey to CHIO Aachen…

I travelled with the horses on Sunday morning, we left the yard and took the ferry – in total it was a 10-hour trip. The trip went well, but since Brexit, everything takes a bit longer with the paperwork and checks. I got here to Aachen pretty late, and the show vets were really helpful. All the horses travelled well, they are all really used to it. Hello Jefferson has been everywhere in the world, so it was no problem for him. Hello Mango is also a very good traveller, she was in Spain for the beginning of the year, so she has done a few long trips. Hello Valentino is also a very good traveller.

If there is a horse that doesn’t like to travel, what can you do to help it?

Break it down, don’t do big days. Only do small journeys, never more than 600 kilometres at a time if the horse is bad at travelling. If possible, I would advise that you travel through the night, it is always quicker and smoother. You usually do not experience as much traffic or get stuck on the roads, so if it suits your plan and the person driving is able to drive through the night, I would definitely recommend travelling through the night.

Can you tell us about the horses that you have brought with you and what their characters are like?

Hello Jefferson, who is in really good shape, will be competing in the Rolex Grand Prix. He was very successful here last year, finishing second, so we hope to do just a bit better here this year! The Rolex Grand Prix is a tough test, but it is such an amazing experience to jump in it.

Hello Valentino is a nine-year-old and he is here to gain experience. He has a lot of quality and potential, but I don’t think we expect much from him this year because it is a big test and he’s only nine. He is here to gain experience and hopefully in the years to come he will be able to win the Rolex Grand Prix.

Hello Mango is eight-years-old and she is going to be a superstar for sure! She had a very good beginning to the year in Spain, we then gave her a bit of a break to try to get an embryo from her, but it didn’t really work, but she is back and feeling fresh and jumping well. At only eight-years-old, she’s one for the future.

What are the facilities like for both yourself as a groom and the horses at CHIO Aachen?

They are perfect. My main concern when I get to shows is always safety first, and here everything is very safe and comfortable for the horses. I have been to this show a number of times and there are always little improvements and the attention to detail for the horses is incredible. This morning I noticed a new wash bay and it’s things like this that make the show great.

How much do you enjoy coming to the Majors – The Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, and CHI Geneva? In your opinion, what sets them apart from the other shows?

I have to say it’s the Sunday afternoon in Calgary and Aachen, that have the most amazing feeling. Then when you go clear, it is incredible – it is only an afternoon, but it feels like a week, there is so much emotion. It is really very special! Both Spruce Meadows and Aachen have two rounds and a jump-off, so those two Grands Prix feel really unique, there is so much emotion in an afternoon.

‘S-Hertogenbosch and Geneva are also incredible Grands Prix. CHI Geneva is the last big event of the year, so you want to finish on a high. The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final also adds to the prestige of the show.  

How special was it to join Scott’s team after he won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2015?

I remember exactly where I was when Scott won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – I was watching with my girlfriend at that time on the sofa, hoping for him to win it. At the time I had no idea I was going to work for him one day. The year after he won at Spruce Meadows, I was working for him. In 2016, when he once again won the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex in Calgary we were watching at home with his mother and we went crazy when he won. Scott and I are both calm people and there is rarely any tension. We have some very sharp horses, and so the cooler you stay the better it is for the horses, they don’t need you to put any stress on them.

What qualities do you think that your team has that enables Scott to be so successful?

I think the main thing would be trust. We all trust each other and that is what makes our team so strong. Within the team, you need so much quality and skill, I have some, Scott has some, and then the people at home do as well. Our team trust each other and this probably is what makes the difference between our team and the others.

What is the most important and useful piece of kit that you carry when Scott is competing?

It is really simple! Something that is common to all the groom and horses is that we all give them treats when they come out of the ring, so that I think is something that I always have in the bag. There is no lucky charm, they just need a treat when they get out.

What is the grooms’ community like? Do grooms support one another?

Yes, it is a small and close community.  Obviously, you cannot like everyone, and you need a strong character to do this job as there are a lot of big characters, but once you’ve got your friends, everybody helps each other. Once you find people you trust, you can ask them if you are struggling or if you need advice, like ‘how should I do that’ or, ‘what should I do if I have this problem’. I have been doing this job for years, but I remember at the beginning of the year I went to ask for advice from another groom because I had a difficult horse I needed help with, and that is what is so great about this community.

How has planning been going for this year’s event?

We are looking forward to it, I think it is going to be a great show and we have a fantastic partner country this year, Great Britain. We are delighted that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined us for the opening ceremony, I think that it was very important for the sport, as well as the fans from Aachen, Europe and around the world – we are incredibly excited about the upcoming days.

This year CHIO Aachen is partnered with Great Britian, can you tell us about this relationship and what spectators can expect to see.

It was always a dream for us to have Great Britain as a partner country – they have a tremendous relationship with horses, especially the Royal family. The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry performed in the opening ceremony, and we asked spectators to dress themselves in the ‘British way’. We also included a number of the fantastic British riders in the opening ceremony, including Nick Skelton, the first winner of a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major in Aachen ten years ago. We are also delighted that a very strong dressage team from Great Britain will be competing here including Charlotte Dujardin and current FEI World Champion Lottie Fry – it is going to be a great week.  

Is there anything new that CHIO Aachen has introduced this year? Will you be doing anything special to mark the 10^th anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

This year, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, and there is a chance that McLain Ward will win the Rolex Grand Slam and become only the second rider to achieve this feat after Scott Brash in 2015. It would be unbelievable for this to happen on the 10^th anniversary – if you were to write a story, you would write it like this. There will of course be a very strong field of competitors, on one hand the riders want him [McLain Ward] to win, but on the other hand the riders want to win themselves. There will be some very competitive classes, especially on Sunday with the Rolex Grand Prix.

Away from the competition, we have really focused on our digital innovation and new products. This year we launched a new app with a lot of new services for the spectators. Fans can now plan their own customized special CHIO Aachen day, and highlight classes they don’t want to miss, access all the start lists and can follow all the riders around the course, for example in the SAP Cup on Saturday. Communication with our spectators is one of the team’s focal points this year and we think the app will be a great addition to CHIO Aachen.

The first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major happened at CHIO Aachen 10-years-ago. How has the initiative positively impacted Aachen as a show?

We are extremely honoured and happy to have such a strong relationship with Rolex, and incredibly lucky that the brand is so supportive of the sport. CHIO Aachen also incredibly fortunate to be supported other brands such as like Allianz and Turkish Airlines. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping gave CHIO Aachen an amazing opportunity to place the show together with three other elite shows; Spruce Meadows, Geneva and ‘s-Hertogenbosch to create a new level in show jumping.

There are now over 100 5* shows on the calendar, and those spectators who aren’t so familiar with the sport don’t understand which are the best shows. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping helps to identify the top four shows on the calendar, as it easy to compare them to the tennis and golf Majors, which is helpful for the spectators. In addition, it helps the riders because they can plan their season with their horses around these four Majors. I think the Rolex Grand Slam has made a tremendous change in the sport.

What has been your personal highlight from the first 10 years of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

At the press conference, held in Gothenburg in 2013, we launched the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and I think it was a real surprise for the equestrian world –  from the idea to the concept, and our presentation. That was an incredible moment.

Of course, when Scott Brash won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in Spruce Meadows the atmosphere was unbelievable. Nick Skelton’s victory in 2013 on Big Star at the very first Major was also incredible. Each Major has its own special moment, for example, last year in Aachen, Gerrit Nieberg had an unbelievable round in the jump-off and everybody was surprised when he won – nobody knew how good he really was and he then went on to finish fifth at Spruce Meadows too over an incredibly tough course. I think the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping showcases new talent and new stars, which is special.

What is your advice to someone who wants to get into the sporting events industry?

Well, it depends, I would say if you look to the Aachen team, we have a nice spilt between members who are passionate about equestrian sport and those who are into marketing and communication. I think you need decide what direction you want to go in before you try and enter the industry –  do you want to be more involved in the sport, or the marketing? I think it is difficult try and focus on both areas and so in the beginning of your career it is important to decide for yourself which is more important. I think my main piece of advice is just to be yourself and decide what you want, and then you will be successful.

For you, as well as CHIO Aachen, what are the key components that make a successful sporting event, or sporting major?

Firstly, and most importantly, the riders and the horses are essential. Secondly, the infrastructure has to be in the perfect shape, so that the world’s best horses and riders can compete at their best. Another point is the atmosphere – ensuring that the spectators have everything they need and the facilities are up to standard. I think if you want to present professional sport there has to be a professional infrastructure. Professional infrastructure means a professional media presentation, but at the same time also a professional atmosphere with a huge crowd of spectators. Then of course entertainment for the spectators, not only the sport but the food and shopping villages.

Like the tennis legends Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic, who have dominated the tennis world and its Majors, how important is it to Aachen to have the best in the world competing at your event?

Well, of course, it is important to have the best horses and riders at the showground, but due to the nature of the sport sometimes you have to accept that the best horses and riders are injured. We are fortunate that at Aachen we have a very strong field in all five disciplines.

Riders are different from other athletes who compete in, for example, tennis or Formula One, where you will have a few athletes who dominate for a couple of years and then the next generation will then come up through the ranks. In equestrianism, the rider can be 60-years-old and still compete at the top level. Therefore, the riders have a longer time in the sport, and so I think you have a larger number of top names than you do in other sports.

Aachen is known as the Wimbledon of the equestrian world, how do you ensure that you continue to innovate and adapt to ensure you maintain this status?

It is a privilege for both myself and the team to work for Aachen. We have the possibility and the honour to ride on the heritage and the history of the Aachen show. The club was founded 125 years ago, and next year we celebrate 100 years of show jumping classes.

There is also the responsibility to develop the show, and always look for what could be the next step. For example, when we held the FEI World Championships in 2006, we installed a floodlight system. Today, on four out of six days of the show we have night classes, which reach more spectators than the afternoon performances via television broadcasting. We have also built new infrastructure, grown our number of facilities, spectators, and so-on.

In the past we have done a lot of investment and have ideas in mind for the future. We started Aachen CAMPUS during the Covid-19 Pandemic, where we train and educate those who are in the equestrian  industry or who want to join it, offering classes and over 100 training days during the year.

In the future we would like to include para-riders and other things at the Aachen show. So, I think we have a lot of strong ideas in place which we are looking forward to realising and developing to take the Aachen show to the next level. We have a big responsibility to ensure that Aachen continues to be the best of the best, and I am delighted that we have a very open-minded operations and advisory teams.  

Do you and CHIO Aachen organisers take inspiration from any of sport’s other major competitions, e.g., in tennis or golf?

I personally think you can learn from the smallest show and from the biggest one – it also doesn’t matter what sport it is. It would be arrogant if I, for example, thought I knew how everything works and how everything runs. There are always small events that I go to and see things and think wow, that’s a great idea. I don’t instantly think ‘I have to copy that for Aachen’, it is more that I take the idea and join it with one or two other ideas, so it comes out as a new idea that is applicable to Aachen. I really like to go to other sporting events, including the Grand Slam tennis tournaments and major golfing events, but also to smaller equestrian events – you can always keep learning!

Congratulations! You are still the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, how are you feeling ahead of CHIO Aachen? 

I feel good, but I am always cautiously optimistic. We've tried to make sure that the horses are in the best form possible. We compete HH Azur very sparingly because of her age and just aim her towards big events. You have to have belief in your programme and trust that you have got everything right, especially when you're not competing regularly, but she feels good. We are very focused on CHIO Aachen in general –  we look at Aachen as a championship. For us, it is the biggest and most prestigious event in the world. I am trying to keep grounded and not let other possibilities seep into my head – I think you get easily distracted by these things.

How did it feel to win at The Dutch Masters?

It felt incredible. It was a class that I didn't think was setting up very well for us when there were so many clear rounds. The Dutch Masters is held in a small indoor arena and with her big stride, I thought it would be difficult to be fast enough. I had a plan to try to do everything we could to win, but I did not expect to win and so when it all came together it was extremely exciting and fulfilling. I then became the only person, apart from Scott Brash, to win two Majors in a row, which is a huge accomplishment and something that I am very proud of. 

How have you been preparing, and which horse are you hoping to compete with in the Rolex Grand Prix?

I am lucky to have a great string of horses and I also have some really exciting horses coming up through the ranks. I will be bringing Callas, Contagious, and HH Azur to Aachen, they have been competing very well throughout the spring and early summer. HH Azur has only done one small national show, just to make sure she was fit and give her a jump in a competitive setting. We have kept her preparation the same as we have done for all the Majors – keeping her fresh and targeting the event.

CHIO Aachen is one of the biggest stages in equestrian sport, how does it feel to compete there? 

For me, it's the biggest stage. In my opinion, it is the mecca of our sport, and it is the place that means the most for riders to win. So far, the Rolex Grand Prix has eluded me, but I've been very close on a number of occasions. It is the one Grand Prix in the world that I desperately covet, and the fact that it is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping only heightens the energy. There is no place like Aachen; the atmosphere, the crowd, the venue, the history, the level of the sport is all unmatched. I think that everybody rises to the occasion there – it is a very special place.

The last two Majors have been held indoors – will any of your tactics change competing in the Main Stadium at CHIO Aachen?

You have to think more about fitness in a bigger outdoor arena as the course is longer with more galloping involved. On paper, a big arena would suit HH Azur as she has a very big stride, but she has performed exceptionally well in indoor arenas. It truly is a testament to how great she is that she is able to be so successful in multiple venues.

She has also performed brilliantly at Aachen – I think she has been in the Rolex Grand Prix jump-off two or three times, as well as double clear in the FEI Nations Cup™ at least two or three times. I need to ensure that I stay focused and keep my head right so that we can deliver the result that we are capable of.

What do you think are the attributes that a horse and rider must have to be able to win a Major?

You need a horse that has the talent and physical abilities that it takes to jump those courses, but they also need to have the brain to understand what they are being asked to do. It takes years of training and honing those skills for everything to come together at the right time. There are only four Majors a year, and therefore usually three or four winners – so there are not that many combinations who have been able to achieve this feat. 

What would it mean to you and your team to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping at CHIO Aachen?

Honestly, I think that it is unexplainable. I have a long history with Aachen, with some good and bad moments. Since I was a small child, it is the competition that I have always dreamed of winning – I have always said it has been the girl I could never get a date with. This will be the last time that HH Azur competes at Aachen, so to win the Rolex Grand Prix there with her and for that to mean that we had won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – that truly is something that I do not think I can describe. 

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is celebrating its 10th anniversary – how big an impact has it had on the sport? 

I think the greatest impact that it has had is that it has raised the level of competition above any other competition in the world. It is so important, and we needed that in the sport. We need the Rolex Grand Slam Majors to be separated from the other 5* events, as they encourage riders to continue to raise their game and perform in a different gear. I think that the riders have recognised that these are the best events in the world and aim for them – very much like The US Open or The Masters in Augusta or The French Open, these are the most coveted competitions in our sport.

The equestrian calendar is very full! How do you decide which shows to enter and which horses to compete with? 

It is a busy schedule. Like most sports, there is an event every week that you could go to if you chose. I am very lucky to have a great team behind me, as well as a great group of supporters and owners. I, therefore, have a strong string of horses of all different ages and levels. My team means that everything moves well, and they ensure that the horses are kept healthy and fresh. To be honest, I do not over-compete – if you look at the FEI World Rankings, I have normally competed in fewer events than most of my colleagues. I like to come home occasionally and aim toward an event. 

We look at the schedule anywhere from six months or a year ahead when, for example, we are aiming towards an Olympic Games or a major Grand Prix. We therefore we work backward from that date. The longer-term plan is a little looser and the shorter-term plan is a little tighter. I like to compete in Europe to test my skills against the best in the sport. The level in the United States has also come up considerably in the last few years and we have a lot of great events here now. We lay out the schedule for the year, depending on the horses we have and what the main goals are, and then we break it down into a more detailed schedule on a shorter timeframe.

In tennis, Novak Djokovic has dominated and has now won 23 Grand Slams, do you think there will ever be such dominance in show jumping?

I think to some degree; you see a group of riders that are always very close to the top of the FEI World Rankings over a long period. You could pick a handful of riders, who over the last decade, have been near the top of the rankings. The major factor that is different in our sport is the horse. So, while a human athlete can be at their best for a certain amount of time, your horse may get injured or not feel good, thus you have this variable that it is you and the horse, which differentiates our sport.

I don't think you'll ever see a rider at the top of the FEI World Rankings for a decade. But, for example, Henrik [von Eckermann] right now has been World No.1 for nearly 12 months, in a time when he arguably has the best horse [King Edward], and he is a brilliant rider. It is likely that when the horse is retired, Henrik will stay near the top, but it is probable that he won't dominate in the way he does in this current moment.

If you look through the history of the sport, whether it has been Baloubet du Rouet, Milton, Shutterfly, Hello Sanctos, all of these horses and their riders were a little better than the rest and dominated the sport. I think it is hard to imagine one rider staying at the top of the ranking for more than a couple of years – two or three years at best. I do think that if you look over the last decade or even 15 years, you will see the same names who have stayed consistently at the top.

From 23 June – 2 July, CHIO Aachen will once again welcome the world’s finest horse and rider combinations to the unmatched Aachen Soers Showground. Often compared to The Championships, Wimbledon, CHIO Aachen is a globally renowned event steeped in history and prestige. Over the course of the show, The World Equestrian Festival will host five equestrian disciplines, and will welcome over 360,000 spectators, all whom will be eager to experience the unique and electric atmosphere that CHIO Aachen offers. In addition, 10-year anniversary celebrations of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the sport’s ultimate challenge will begin at CHIO Aachen.

The show will have a Royal opening, with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attending the iconic Opening Ceremony on Tuesday 27 June, celebrating the show’s partnership with the United Kingdom this year. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is sure to have fond memories of the show as her daughter, Zara Tindall, won individual gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games^TM held at the venue in 2006. The theme of the evening will be based on the Beatles’ legendary song “All You Need is Love” and will include performances from breath-taking Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry and the exhilarating Shetland Pony Grand National.

The 5* show jumping commences on Wednesday 28 June with the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe. Held under the floodlights of the Main Stadium, the class provides riders with their first opportunity to qualify for the feature class of the show, the Rolex Grand Prix. The next evening will see the return of the Mercedes-Benz Nations´ Cup, a team competition held over two identical rounds, where only the top eight teams progress through the final round. With the FEI European Championships taking place later in the summer, riders will be eager to impress their selectors. The pinnacle of the show, the Rolex Grand Prix, will take place on Sunday afternoon in front of 40,000 knowledgeable and passionate fans. Much like The Masters Tournament in golf, this is the competition that all of the riders want to win. This year history could once again be rewritten, as American rider, McLain Ward, looks to secure the win to become only the second person in history to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping following his previous wins at CHI Geneva in 2022 and The Dutch Masters earlier this year.  

Dressage will take centre stage in the Deutsche Bank Stadium across the course of the show. The highlight for the crowd will come from the Deutsche Bank Prize, where harmony and precision between horse and rider will be showcased. Dressage fans will also be delighted to learn that FEI Individual World Champion, Lottie Fry, will perform as part of the “Horse & Symphony” on 23 and 24 June. Music will be provided live by the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and is set feature a variety of classic British songs.

Hosted on the final Friday and Saturday of the show, the SAP-Cup, welcomes world-class eventers. Often referred to as equestrianism’s version of a triathlon, the three disciplines involved test the horses’ bravery, athleticism, and accuracy. Eventing legend SAP Hale Bob OLD, Ingrid Klimke’s multiple medal-winning horse will retire in front of his home-crowd on Saturday 1 July.

Away from the sporting action, ticket-holders will be treated a variety of different shopping outlets as well as a huge range of food and beverage stalls.

CHIO Aachen returns from 23 June – 2 July and will play host to the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2023. This year, CHIO Aachen will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the sport’s ultimate prize, having hosted the inaugural Major in 2013. The 10-day show will culminate with the Rolex Grand Prix, which will see some of the world’s top horse and rider combinations from 16 different nations, including seven Rolex Testimonees, compete over Frank Rothenberger’s masterfully designed course.

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Rider Watch

All eyes will be on one rider; America’s McLain Ward as he aims to become only the second person to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The World No.3, who won the Rolex Grands Prix at both CHI Geneva and The Dutch Masters aboard the 17-year-old mare HH Azur, will be looking to write his name into the history books. Ward has experienced success at the show in the past, last year taking victory in both the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe and RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as placing fifth in the Rolex Grand Prix. As a fierce competitor who knows how to win in the unique Main Stadium, he will be one to watch. Ward will be joined by four compatriots who will all be making the long journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the celebrated venue, including his 2020 Tokyo Olympic teammate, Laura Kraut.

He will, however, face competition from the very best in the world including last year’s victor Gerrit Neiberg. The German, who recently took the top spot in the CSI5* Grand Prix in Hamburg, will be seeking to continue this form to become the first rider to win this prestigious class back-to-back. In total, 18 German riders will contest the international showjumping at this year’s World Equestrian Festival including Daniel Deusser and Marcus Ehning, both of whom are also past victors of this prestigious class.

Looking ahead to the 2023 edition, Nieberg stated: “I cannot wait to return to CHIO Aachen to try and defend my title. Winning the Rolex Grand Prix in front of my home crowd truly was a dream come true and something that I will never forget.”

Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, a double Major winner at CHI Geneva, comes to CHIO Aachen on the back of an impressive victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show with Conner Jei. Fuchs will be hoping to claim his first victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen. Fellow countryman, Steve Guerdat, is another amongst the talented field who has never won this coveted title. Guerdat, known for his horsemanship skills, will bring four horses with him to Aachen, including the exciting Dynamix de Belheme and Venard de Cerisy, the horse he rode to victory in the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex in 2021.

Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts also returns to the hallowed grounds of CHIO Aachen on stellar form, having taken the Rolex Grand Prix at CSIO Jumping International de la Baule earlier this month with the brilliant mare Katanga V/h Dingeshof, who will also jump at CHIO Aachen. Philippaerts will be joined by his twin brother, Olivier, who similarly will be brimming with confidence following a victory in the CSI5* in Stockholm last week with H&M Miro. They will be joined by Belgian teammates Gregory Wathelet, Wilm Vermeir, and Vereecke Koen.

Great Britain’s Scott Brash will be hoping to improve on his second place in the Rolex Grand Prix last year to reclaim the title he won in 2015 enroute to winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. His teammate, the individual Olympic champion Ben Maher, will be competing at his first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major since his injury in February. He will be bringing his his FEI World Championship™ partner Faltic HB, as well as two less experienced mounts Dallas Vegas Batilly and Enjeu de Grisien. Rolex’s youngest Equestrian Testimonee Harry Charles, brings forward the experienced, yet evergreen stallion, Balou du Reventon and is another who could produce a good result on the final day of the World Equestrian Festival.

Other notable entries include show jumping legend Rodrigo Pessoa, who has returned to the top of the sport with a new string of horses, World No. 12 Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, and the ever-competitive Frenchman Simon Delestre, the current World No. 7.

Can you introduce yourself, tell us who you work for, and what your role is?

My name is Denise Moriarty, and I have been the head groom for Kent Farrington for 11 years now. Our relationship is great – we know each other so well. Kent is very good at involving us all in every step of the horse’s journey, he wants us to understand why he is doing something. For example, if he is trying a new bridle or bit, he shares his feeling as a rider with us so that we can better understand. There is a lot of communication and trust.

You often make the long journey across from America to Europe, how do you ensure that your horses travel well so they can continue to perform at their peak?

We like to make sure that they are extremely fit so that they can handle the travelling and recover quickly after the journey. For example, before CHI Geneva, we would fly and land in Europe on the Monday before the show. They would then trot-up on Tuesday, with their first class taking place on Thursday. The biggest thing during their transportation is to make sure that they stay calm, and that they are eating and drinking properly. We try and make the experience enjoyable for them.

I fly with the horses and honestly, it is much nicer to fly with them than on a normal commercial flight. You do not have to queue or wait for the stewards to come around with food and drinks – you can just help yourself. With the permission of the pilot, we can walk around and go and check on our horses, which is really nice. Each of the planes that we fly on is different, for example Qatar Airways has a huge upstairs area for us, but some of the domestic flights are a lot smaller and we sit on the jump seats – but these flights are only a couple of hours, so it is okay.

If there is a horse that doesn’t like to travel, what can you do to help it?

If I have a horse that does not like to travel or is new to it, I will try and pair them with a more experienced traveller, as they learn and feed off the more experienced horse’s energy. If an anxious horse sees the other horse not reacting, it calms them down and helps them to understand that there is nothing to worry about.

I also like to make sure that everything is laid out for them properly – so the ramp is safe, and the partition is open – I try and make sure that everything is totally clear to them. It is important that their first travelling experiences are positive, sometimes we will use earplugs to take away the sharpness and help it be an enjoyable experience. I have found that if they have a good experience the first couple of times, then they will be good travellers in the future.

Can you tell us about the horses that you currently look after and what their characteristics are like?

There are a lot of big characters in our barn! But we like this, and we let them be themselves – they are all very different.

Creedance is just happy about everything, and is excited about every day, even though most of his days are the same. He loves getting his halter on and going out for a ride or a jump. Landon is very much the same way. He is excited to do his work, but he can be a bit cheeky and become quite stallion-like at the shows, even though he is not one! For the most part, they are great horses, of course, they have their little quirks just like people do, but they are sweet horses.

How much do you enjoy coming to the Majors – The Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, and CHI Geneva? In your opinion, what sets them apart from the other shows?

I think it is just the prestige and the respect for the Majors. You get all of the best horses and riders competing there and the facilities for everyone including the grooms are incredible. They are the best of the best.

The shows are held in venues where everyone who attends understands horses and has a connection with them. The crowds’ involvement and all of the hype and energy that they create add to the unique atmospheres. You just don’t see that at other shows. 

I have always loved CHI Geneva – it is one of the pinnacles of our year. The atmosphere at CHIO Aachen is just unbelievable, and the size of the fences at Spruce Meadows makes it such an incredible competition. Then, The Dutch Masters is filled with such knowledgeable horse people, and the staff there are amazing. Each of the four shows have something so unique and special about them.

How special was it being part of Kent’s team when he won at CHIO Aachen and CHI Geneva?

They were both such special moments. Gazelle was amazing, she just kept on fighting and wanting to win. As I have mentioned, these shows are the best in the world and to watch your rider and the horse that you look after everyday win – it is something words can’t describe.

Did you do anything differently?

Honestly, with Gazelle, we try and keep everything the same. She will let Kent know once he gets on whether she is in a winning mood – he will be able to feel it. As long as everything works out, then it is normally a good day.

What has been your proudest moment as a groom?

It is hard for me to pick just one. We have had Gazelle since she was seven-years-old and so we have built her up into the horse that she is today, seen her grow, and watch her highs and lows. To look back at her win at CHIO Aachen, and to remember watching her jumping three of the biggest and testing rounds in the sport, and to still see her fight to clear the last fence and gallop to the finish line, wanting to win as much as Kent did, it was amazing. It was an incredible feeling – what these horses do for us is just unreal. That win meant a lot.

Of course, watching Kent and Voyeur win the team silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio was another incredible moment.

What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the job?

My favourite part is just being with the horses. As grooms, we are very lucky, we get to work outside all day, and we are always moving. It is great because we are active and healthy. We get to go to some of the nicest places in the world, and there is always a chance to just take a deep breath and appreciate what you do. For me, the travelling is the hardest part – there can be a lot of long days and it can be quite tiring, but it is just part of the job.

What advice would give to someone who would like to get into this career?

To watch and learn – you must also have a passion for the horses and love what you do. If it is not something you enjoy, then you should not be doing it. Even now, I still watch other grooms and how they do different things or how they deal with a difficult horse – you always keep learning in this job.

It is a great industry to be in – I have made lifelong friends from all over the world. You just have to leave yourself open to be social and take all the opportunities that you can.

What is the grooms’ community like? Do grooms support one another?

We are all in this job for the same reason – we love the horses. We all share the same passion and all work hard. A lot of my friends who are grooms have been with their riders for a long time, so it is like a small family on the road together. There is always someone that you can call to get advice from, even the other day I had to call Sean because I couldn’t get the electricity in the lorry to work! Someone is always willing to help – it is a great community to be a part of.

How special was it winning the very first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major at CHIO Aachen in 2013?

It was incredible winning the first Rolex Grand Slam Major at CHIO Aachen in 2013. I had been lucky enough to win this Grand Prix three times before, but to be the first Major winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping was incredibly special. I was in a great position heading to the next Major, CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, but unfortunately Big Star got injured so we couldn’t go.

Can you remember your emotions and how you felt at that moment?

Winning in Aachen was truly amazing, it is the best show in the world. In terms of it’s stature, I would place it on par with The Masters in golf, and The Championships, Wimbledon in tennis. Winning with Big Star was amazing, he was the most phenomenal jumper, it was also incredibly memorable for me as his owners and my family were there which made it far more special than a normal show, or any other Grand Prix.

Can you tell us about Big Star and what made him so special?

Big Star was such an incredible horse – he had it all. I would rate him 11 out of 10 for everything. He was so scopey, careful, and incredibly intelligent. He was always so excited to jump – he loved it.

I bought Big Star when he was five-years-old. Laura [Kraut] found him when she was at a show in Holland in 2008 where the American Team were at a training camp ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She was at the show a day early and saw him jump, and knew I needed to have him. 

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary later in the year – how big an impact has it had on the sport?

The Rolex Grand Slam has had a huge impact on the sport of show jumping – it is incredibly prestigious. To win the Rolex Grand Slam, riders need to win three out of the four Majors – each Major is incredibly difficult to win as a stand-alone competition, so combining these shows really makes it the sport’s greatest challenge and something that everyone wants to win. In total, including the pre-Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping era, I won CHIO Aachen and CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ four times each, The Dutch Masters twice, and CHI Geneva once – so I wish the initiative had been around sooner.

Do you have a personal favourite moment over the past 10 years?

My favourite moment over the past 10 years has to be when Scott Brash won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Everyone was backing him and wanting him to win his third Major at CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, a feat which at that point had not been achieved – it was such an incredible moment for our sport. I hope someone will do it again – maybe McLain Ward will achieve this at Aachen this year, the mare has been jumping fantastically and I am sure he will be giving it his best.

Throughout your career you had a number of highs and lows, how did you ensure that you kept moving forward?

I have always tried to buy young horses and bring them through. It is incredibly important to always younger horses moving up the levels – this allows you to constantly remain at the top, as hopefully when you retire your best horse, the next one is ready to step up. All of my horses apart from Dollar Girl were bought as young horses, including Arko III and Big Star. It is very satisfying to produce a horse up to the point that they compete in or even win a Grand Prix or Major.

Now you have retired from the sport, what do you do, and do you miss the thrill of competition?

I do not miss competing anymore. I competed for so many years and I ended my career on a good note in 2016. Currently, we have numerous students that we train, in addition, we also source young horses with the aim to produce and sell them to owners or riders.

During the winter, we spend a lot of time in Florida, for the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, which is three-months of hard work. After that, we usually come back to Europe to follow the European tour. We will be attending CHIO Aachen this year – we are aiming to win.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

I am not sure what the best piece of advice I have been given, but the piece of advice that I always give to my students is to remain patient, stay consistent in your training, and do not give up. In this sport, you have to have patience, especially when training young horses.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is delighted to announce that it is launching a new Podcast series to celebrate one of the most important groups – and often unsung heroes of the sport – the grooms. Much like a caddy in golf, or a mechanic in Formula One, the grooms play a vital role in the success of their horses and riders. Launching  in June the podcast will be released on Spotify and Apple Podcasts quarterly ahead of each of the four Majors that make up equestrianism’s ultimate challenge.

Each episode will vary slightly, depending on each participant and their individual stories, but will mainly focus on and highlight the important role that grooms and the whole team behind the scenes have on the success of a top show jumper. In addition, it will explore their careers so far and the relationship that they have with the horses that compete in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

First to feature in this exciting new series are the grooms of World No.3 and current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender McLain Ward – Virginie Casterman and Lee McKeever. The knowledgeable duo have worked in the industry for numerous years and have experienced both the highs and the lows of the sport.  Whilst Casterman has been part of the team since the end of 2016, her seven years with Ward is eclipsed by McKeever, who has been with the American rider for over thirty years.

Speaking during the Podcast, Casterman stated: “I have wanted to be a groom since I was 13-years-old. I love what I do, so I don’t really feel like I am working. We travel a lot and so we are away from our home base for around 10 months of the year, but for me home is wherever horses are.”

Together as a team, they travel the world with Ward – who refers to them as ‘the best in the game’ – and his horses. They know what it takes to take care of horses at the very top of the sport, including keeping the extraordinary HH Azur, also known as Annie – who is now 17-years-old – fit, healthy, and able to keep winning that the highest level of the sport.

McKeever followed: “Annie [HH Azur] is like a professional athlete, she knows her venues. When she arrives at Rolex Grand Slam Major, she knows that they are something special – she is a winner and rises to the occasion. She is like a person; she wants to do her best and loves winning. Looking ahead to Aachen, she has always jumped well there, so hopefully the Rolex Grand Slam is something we can achieve!”

Embryo transfer

Nathalie Beaufort started to dream 18 years ago about breeding a foal. However, it did not go entirely without a hitch: "My husband Pedro was competing HH Azur's dam, Sion vd Zuuthoeve. I asked Pedro if he could ask Sion vd Zuuthoeve's owner if I could flush an embryo from the mare. Sion vd Zuuthoeve was actually meant to become a dressage horse, but Pedro was very successful with her in show jumping. It was agreed, and so we took the mare to the vet to have her inseminated. I had already looked at possible suitable stallions, and Pedro thought Argentinus would be a good choice. We tried three times and it just didn't work. The vet said a son of Argentinus, Thunder van de Zuuthoeve, was available. He was a young stallion and nobody knew of him, but when I saw him in the stable I instantly fell in love – he was fantastic to look at. He cost half the stud fee of Argentinus and we had fresh semen. She [Sion vd Zuuthoeve] became pregnant in one attempt and the embryo transfer went very well. The following year HH Azur was born, her birthname is Azur Garden's Horses. She was a beautiful filly with long legs, and it was such a special feeling for me when she was born. She stayed with us as a yearling and two-year-old – I don't like my young horses being reared in a big group of young horses as I am afraid of accidents. I have bred other foals and sometimes when they are weaned from their mothers, I let an older horse raise them. I have not bred another foal like HH Azur. When you breed a foal like HH Azur it is difficult to have a real eye to judge the other foals as she was just so special.”

Her career as a jumping horse

The next important chapter for HH Azur began when she turned three-years-old. She was broken-in and step-by-step she was prepared for a career in the sport. Nathalie recalls: “At three-years-old, we started her under saddle. It was incredible, every time you did an exercise that she hadn’t done before she made you feel like she knew that exercise. It was so easy for her to understand what we wanted from her. After a couple of months, I told Pedro we were going to stop her training and let her go back into the pasture, and when she was four-years-old we would pick it up again a bit. We took her to a competition maybe three times as a four-year-old, just as a learning experience. Then she went back in the pasture until she was five. As a five-year-old, we did the same again, and then as a six-year-old, she did a few international young horse competitions – not to win or place, but again for her experience. The most important thing for us was that she understood what we were asking of her and that she enjoyed it, we then we built up to three-day shows. Even as a six-year-old, she was allowed to go out to pasture again after the season – it is very important for horses to be able to breathe and come into themselves in the field. HH Azur was fine with it all. As a seven-year-old, when we began again people started to recognise her and wondered why she was so good. We didn't really want to show her to the outside world when she was five and six-years-old, we wanted to show her quality when she was seven. By then we were already getting offers from people who wanted to buy her. Pedro turned everything down because he thought she would be an Olympic mare – he had all this belief in her since she was three, but he realised he was not a good rider enough for her. He was a good rider for two-star level and we also didn't have a sponsor or much money to ride at top level. Just riding well doesn't get you there, everything around it has to be good too."

François Mathy

The success of HH Azur did not go unnoticed. The interest in her began to grow. Nathalie looks back: "At the end of her seventh year, François Mathy Sr. came by and was very fond of her. He thought we were asking a lot of money for her, but he one day he came by with McLain Ward, who was very surprised by HH Azur's quality. Pénélope Leprévost had also been to try HH Azur, no one really knows this, but François Mathy Sr. also worked with Pénélope at the time. Initially, HH Azur was ridden in the international classes by François Mathy Sr.’s rider, Spaniard Diego Perez Bilbao. A few months after that, HH Azur left for America with McLain Ward. There HH Azur's next chapter began."

Emotions

It brings a lot of emotions for a breeder to see the horse that they bred and raised compete at the highest level. How does it feel for Nathalie Beaufort to see HH Azur compete at the highest level? “I experience HH Azur's success with two emotions.  The first is a great pride and an intense admiration for her when I see her jumping with McLain. But at the same time my heart is in my throat because she is no longer close to me. These two emotions often mix and bring tears to my eyes. Azur left at the dawn of her eight birthday. We looked after her for over seven years, selling her was emotionally very hard. It creates a lot of emotional bonds when horses stay with their breeder for so long. I knew she had a great career ahead of her and that the financial means to get to that level are not insignificant. When she left for HH Farm with McLain Ward as her rider, I felt comforted. She was going to be fine in this new structure and today I can only continue to admire this magnificent mare. She remains one of the most beautiful stories of my life with my horses.”

About the author

Adriana van Tilburg is an equestrian journalist with thirty years of passion for breeding and bloodlines of showjumping horses.  She started to write about breeding and bloodlines after Diarado became the champion of the Holsteiner stallion approvals in 2007. She worked as a groom for some of the best people in showjumping to get a better understanding about breeding and sport. In 2016 she took the step to become a freelance journalist and writes for several studbook magazines and other equestrian publications.

More information here

In the history of equestrian sport, there are riders whose names and achievements will be immortalized in history. By winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2015, British rider Scott Brash added his name to the record books. Followers of the sport now wait with bated breath to see if America’s McLain Ward can add his name this illustrious list at CHIO Aachen, 10 years on from the initiative’s conception, following his wins at CHI Geneva and The Dutch Masters. In doing so he would become only the second person to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Considered to be the sport’s ultimate challenge, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping comprises four of the most prestigious and historic shows in the world; CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, CHI Geneva, and The Dutch Masters, and rewards the rider who wins three consecutive Majors. Much like the Majors in tennis and golf, the Majors that make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are deemed to be the most esteemed and celebrated in the sport. The 10year anniversary celebrations will begin at CHIO Aachen, often referred to as the Wimbledon of the equestrian world, from the end of June to the beginning of July, and will conclude at The Dutch Masters 2024.

The impact of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping on the sport has been significant over the 10 years since its inception. Bringing together the four Majors, who all strive for quality and are united together in their search for perfection, has set the standard for show jumping venues. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors have a cumulated history of 300 years and are deep-rooted in traditional values.

Such is the prestige of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping that it attracts the world’s best horse and rider combinations from across the globe, resulting in unmatched levels of competition. Looking ahead to the future, the initiative also supports show jumping’s stars of the future by inviting two promising riders to each of the four Majors to provide them with experience competing at the top-end of the sport.

The past 10 years of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has provided some of the most remarkable moments in the history of the sport. Most notably, when British rider Scott Brash raised the bar to unprecedented levels by winning consecutive Majors at CHI Geneva in 2014, followed by CHIO Aachen, and finally CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in 2015. Even more remarkable is that he achieved this feat on the same horse, Hello Sanctos, making him the first and only rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The only winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Scott Brash expressed: “Winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping was such an incredible moment in my career, words really cannot describe the feelings and emotions I felt when I lifted the trophy. It was even more special that I achieved this feat with one horse, Hello Sanctos—he truly is my horse of lifetime.”

Speaking on behalf of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Steering Committee, Marcel Hunze stated: “The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is an unbelievable initiative, it has bought together four of the very top-level shows and attracts the best horses and riders in the world. Over the past 10 years, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has really elevated the sport, not only in the quality of competition, but also the entertainment for fans and the welfare for both horses and the grooms.”

Olympic and World individual champion, Rodrigo Pessoa continued: “The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has been incredible for the sport. The four Majors are really special shows in our calendar that all of the riders and owners aim for and dream of winning. Looking back at the past 10-years of the initiative and seeing what has been achieved, I am very excited to see what will happen in the next decade.”

For more information please contact, press@rolexgrandslam.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING

The Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus in addition to the prize money won in each of the Grand Prix events. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1 million bonus.

ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANSIM

With over a century of knowledge and expertise in watchmaking, Rolex is driven by tradition and craftsmanship, along with innovation and a passion for perfection. These values are reflected in the brand’s support of equestrianism. For over 60 years, Rolex has cultivated an enduring legacy with this elite world and is now a major presence at play behind the finest riders, competitions, and institutions.

The brand’s contribution to excellence in equestrianism is based on this heritage, encouraging modernization while respecting the elegance of this prestigious sport. Whether supporting leading athletes, the historic CHIO Aachen in Germany or the iconic Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has built on a relationship that began in 1957, through an alliance with British show jumper Pat Smythe. A pioneer in equestrianism, she became the brand’s first equestrian Testimonee.

The pinnacle class of The Dutch Masters came in the form of Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The Brabanthallen’s knowledgeable crowd was full of anticipation, ahead of being treated to unparalleled levels of precision, bravery and athleticism from the world’s best show jumpers. 35 horse and rider combinations, including eight of the top 10, all battled to claim one of the most prestigious prizes in the sport, the Rolex Grand Prix.

First to master Louis Konickx’s expertly designed 17-obstacle course was the World No.1, Henrik von Eckermann, aboard his FEI World Championship gold medal-winning partner King Edward. Next into the arena, France’s Julien Epaillard, produced a faultless round to ensure a jump-off. Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs, current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender McLain Ward, and winner of the 2022 Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen Gerrit Nieberg also showed their class to join the elite group of riders going through to the second round. Meanwhile, the Dutch crowd came alive when the winner of the VDL Groep Prize on Friday evening, Willem Greve, rode an immaculate round of jumping.

With 16 riders, including the top four ranked riders in the world, making it through to the jump-off, fans were set for a true spectacle of speed and agility. Sweden’s Henrik van Eckermann laid down the gauntlet with a breathtakingly fast clear in the time of 38.52 seconds, however this lead was soon eclipsed by Julien Epaillard, who came home 0.46 seconds faster. Live Contender McLain Ward then stepped up the pace once again to keep chances his of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping alive. France’s Simon Delestre looked to take the win away from Ward finishing 0.09 seconds faster, but heartbreak came when the final Rolex oxer fell. This left Ward to take the victory and retain his title as Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender.

Speaking on his extraordinary win, McLain Ward said: “I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet, it was lot of stress having to watch the remaining 12 riders in the jump-off. The level here so high, and I think later tonight I will realise what we have achieved. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has truly raised the bar of the sport and winning a Major is one of the greatest moments in a riders career. I am so proud of my team and my horse – and a little proud of myself.”

Commenting on his horse, the Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender said: “She is smarter than everybody else and is truly a queen. I think she understands what is happening and really rises to the moment. She loves her job and the partnership that we have created is truly so special. We will now aim her for CHIO Aachen to try and win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”

Tell us a little a bit about your journey to The Dutch Masters…

We have been in Holland for the past few weeks, competing at Kronenberg, and then training over here as well, so actually I had a very leisurely drive to The Dutch Masters as we were only an hour away. It was much nicer than having to drive from the United Kingdom.

This is your first time at The Dutch Masters, how are you finding it, and how are the facilities for the horses?

The facilities for the horses are great, this is our first time here and I am really impressed. The show has made sure that the horses’ welfare is a priority and you can really see this in the stables and the arenas. 

Do you do a lot of driving, and how do you keep yourself entertained on long journeys?

During long drives, I like to sing, I’m not very good but it keeps me awake. Also having a great selection of snacks helps!

Can you tell us about the horses that you have brought with you and what their characters are like?

We have brought Equine America Cacharel, our best mare. She competed at the FEI World Championships in Herning and has done a lot of FEI Nations Cup™ competitions. We love her, and she has the best character. She is totally spoilt and loves her treats.

The second horse that we have brought with us is Equine America Bingo de Chateau. He is very cheeky, and gets spoilt as well, but maybe that is my own fault! He is a real character and can be quite naughty in the warm-up, but is incredibly talented.

We have also got a new horse with us this year called Ebanking, who is a nine-year-old stallion. The Dutch Masters will be hist first 5* competition so it will be interesting to see how he progresses, and reacts to the atmosphere. Currently, he is looking on top form.

If there is a horse that doesn’t like to travel, what can you do to help it?

We are quite lucky as all our horses have become so used to travelling that they are incredibly well behaved. They all drink, have their hay nets, and are very calm.

How much do you enjoy coming to the Majors – The Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows and CHI Geneva? In your opinion, what sets them apart from the other shows?

I have attended CHI Geneva along with The Dutch Masters, and these Majors are just a different level compared to other shows. You are just blown away when you arrive in the arena and see all of the facilities. Now, I need to get to CHIO Aachen and CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.

What has been your proudest moment as a groom?

My proudest moment is definitely winning team bronze at the FEI World Championships – you cannot get better than that. I was so nervous during the whole week, I remember waiting in the back as we found out that the team had won a bronze medal and that was an incredible moment. It is really hard to explain my feelings in words from that moment. It was a such great team effort and one we are all very proud of.

How much riding do you do?

I used to ride but I don’t as much anymore as I don’t have the time. I am quite happy being on the ground looking after and spoiling the horses.

What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the job?

My least favourite part is the packing and unpacking of the lorry, as it is so time consuming. My favourite part is forming a bond with the horses. I spend a lot of time with Cash and Bingo as they come to most places with me. The bond that you form with them is incredible as you know those horses inside and out. It is really nice as the horses want to spend time with you and see you – it is a great feeling. I do not view this as a job, it is a way of life and I love it .

What is the grooms’ community like? Do grooms support one another?

You definitely form a community with grooms as you are constantly travelling and attending shows with each other. You always ask which shows your friends are attending or where they are travelling on to from a show. It is really nice that people try to keep track of one another. Our team only really started 5* competitions last year, but everyone is really nice and welcoming. It is a really nice atmosphere as everyone tends to go to dinners together as well, and we all share our advice with each other.

What attributes do you need to have to be a top-level groom?

You definitely have to be committed, as if you are not, you will not advance. You have to want to win as well! Anyone can become a groom, as you learn on the job, but it is important to be dedicated and willing to learn. No one is perfect at the start; you definitely work your way up. It is really beneficial to spend time around other grooms, as you learn so much from them and everyone has their own methods. There is no right or wrong method, you have to find what suits you.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

The best piece of advice that I have been given is to not panic. It is important to take your time with tasks, and to ensure that things are done in a correct manner.

What are the three items that you would take with you on to a desert island?

I would take my phone, my dog Otis and finally I would bring crisps with me as they are a great snack!

Why is The Dutch Masters such a special show?

The Dutch Masters is an extraordinary show. It is local to me, my stables are only thirty-five minutes away. This means that my friends, family and sponsors come to support me which makes the show extra special.

How did it feel to win the Rolex Grand Prix here at The Dutch Masters in 2017?

Winning the Rolex Grand Prix here at The Dutch Masters in 2017 is one of my favourite memories, it was unfortunately not considered part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, as it was the year before The Dutch Masters became part of the initiative. As always with Rolex Grands Prix, it was an incredibly competitive class, and it was indescribable to win in front of the home crowd.

Tell us a little bit more about the horse that you won on here…

I was riding VDL Groep Zidane N.O.P., who is now retired. He is in a field close to my home, and still looks in great shape. I had a fantastic career with him and we won several Grands Prix, but the most special was here at The Dutch Masters.

What are your goals and ambitions for 2023?

I am focusing on the FEI European Championships at the moment. I am also directing my energy on developing and training my younger horses; I have two ten-year-olds here with me at The Dutch Masters. They are both very talented, so I am very much looking forward to this upcoming season.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?

The proudest moment of my career would have to be winning the Rolex Grand Prix here at The Dutch Masters in 2017. I have won the Dutch Championships three times, which is something that I am very proud of.

How important is the team behind you?

As a rider, it is impossible to compete without a supportive team. The grooms are the most important people behind the scenes, as they work incredibly long hours and ensure that they are happy and in peak condition. We also have a fantastic team who remain at home with the horses who are not travelling, and they are vital for the training and development of the younger horses.

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your career?

Whilst growing up, I looked up to riders such as John Whitaker and Jos Lansink. They have both had inspirational careers and there is a lot that can be learnt from them.

What does The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping mean to you as a rider?

It is an unbelievable opportunity that the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping was created within our sport. It has totally elevated and revolutionised the sport. The four Majors that are part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are the best shows in the world, and it is an incredible feeling to compete in them.

Who are you competing at The Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday?

I am planning on riding VDL Groep Nino Du Roton who is still slightly unexperienced at these 5* shows. He has competed at 1.55m but I believe that he has the capabilities to perform well on Sunday despite it being a slight step-up. He had a good show last week, so I will only jump him in the 1.40m class before the Rolex Grand Prix. I am hoping that it will go well. 

To download the pictures click here

Held under the bright lights of the Brabanthallen, 39 riders, representing 13 nations, contested Friday’s feature class – the VDL Groep Prize – on the second day of The Dutch Masters 2023. This impressive line-up featured no less than 8 of the world’s current top 10-ranked riders, including the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender McLain Ward, World No.1 Henrik von Eckermann and the Rolex Grand Prix defending champion Daniel Deusser. In addition, seven Rolex Testimonees and 12 riders from the home nation contested Louis Konickx’s masterfully designed course.

First to enter the arena was Britain’s Scott Brash, the only winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, riding the nine-year-old stallion Hello Valentine, who set the standard with a flawless clear round. Second to go, Simon Delestre with the feisty Cayman Jolly Jumper, followed suit to ensure a jump-off. To the delight of the Dutch crowd, three riders from the home nation secured a place in the second round, including 60-year-old Loewie Joppen, who put in an impressive performance aboard Havel van de Wolfsakker Z.

12 horse and rider combinations successfully made it through to the jump-off, over a shortened course of 8 fences. Brash set the early pace as the first to go, with a clear round in a time of 42.10 seconds. His lead looked to be in jeopardy as Delestre set-off meaning business, coming home in an exceptional 37.54 seconds, but accruing four faults enroute. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, the only woman in the jump-off, temporarily took over pole position as third to go, but with Delestre’s speedy round, the following riders knew the time was beatable.

The lead changed several times before Dutchman, Willem Greve, set the crowd alight riding Grandorado TN N.O.P., stepping up the pace once more to post a clear in a time of 36.62 seconds. It was left to Rolex Testimonee Harry Charles, as last to go, to attempt to knock Greve off the top spot, but despite an impressive display of speed and agility, his time of 37.93 was only good enough for second place.

Speaking after the class, Greve said: “I am extremely happy to win in front of my home crowd. The first round was big, but it was fair on the horses – it is the second biggest class of the show so it should be a real test, and I thought it made for a great competition. I have had this horse since he was three-years-old, so I have a produced him throughout the levels, which makes this win even more special. He is just such a super horse, and I have worked hard over the winter to improve his rideability and his fitness – he is feeling fabulous now, so I am looking forward to Sunday.”

When asked about his tactics going into the jump-off, the Dutchman said: “I was near the end of the class so I managed to watch a few other combinations before I went in. I thought that if I got a good jump at the second fence, that I could do seven strides to the next and then take advantage of his big stride down to the last fence and it worked out very well!”

For you, why is The Dutch Masters such a special show?

The Dutch Masters is such a special show as it draws the best show jumpers in the world to compete here in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and this is incredible to witness. In 1994, when we hosted the first World Cup™ Final, it was a very extraordinary day and one that will go into the history books. The fans that come to this show are so vibrant, passionate and knowledgeable, and this really adds to how unique it is. As a course designer, the lead up to a show can be challenging as you are questioning whether the courses will be a correct fit, but you just have to trust in yourself.

Can you tell us a little bit about the course that you have designed for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix?

I have designed this year’s Rolex Grand Prix course with my assistant Quintin Maertens – who is a very talented individual. We are extremely happy with the size of this year’s arena as it allows us to build lots of challenges and different distances. We have some tough lines that require the riders to be totally precise in their rhythm, speed and power.

How many clears are you expecting?

Sometimes the number of clears can be viewed as a dilemma for course designers. In Holland, and in many other countries, fans like it when there are lots of clears in the first round as it results in an interesting jump-off, especially if someone from their own country makes it through. I think I will be happy if there are around 10 people in Sunday’s jump-off.  

Which rider do you predict will win Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix?

The first round of the Rolex Grand Prix can play to the strength of certain riders, such as Harrie Smolders who is incredibly consistent. However, the pressure instantly increases in a jump-off, and it is a different atmosphere, so it is certain riders like France’s Julien Epaillard, who are so fast, that can came out on top and win here. I hope that the winner will be a Dutch or Belgian rider, or even a legend of the sport such as Marcus Ehning.

How did you become a course designer?

In the area that I grew up in, there was a course designer whose courses the riders did not like– he tried hard but unfortunately he was not that talented. To succeed in course designing, you need to understand the space and how best to utilise it in each arena. Whilst I was still studying, so when I was 25-years-old, I remember approaching him with a suggestion of what could be changed in that particular arena. He then suggested that I pursue my interest in course designing.

I continued to ride alongside studying to become a course designer so this lengthened the process but it allowed me to create an understanding from the riders perspective as well. As I progressed, people started to trust me, which resulted in me working on better and more renowned shows. I remember Arno Gego from CHIO Aachen contacting me saying that they had a show in my local area and he asked whether I would be interested to work as an assistant to him. This was a great steppingstone as it allowed me to become an assistant to the main course designer for some of the most renowned shows in the world, which was an invaluable learning experience.

When and where was the first course that you designed, as head course designer?

The first big international course that I designed as head course designer was at CHIO Rotterdam. Emile Hendrix, the show director, and Frank Kemperman gave me the opportunity to design the course and emphasised that they would trust me and support my suggestions. This was an important moment in my career, and it is incredible to think that it was for Rolex. Frank Rothenberger also helped design the course for that show.

What are your passions away from course designing?

I am still riding, it is still important for me to follow this passion of mine.When my daughters were small, I took up playing guitar again – in fact, I have joined a new group now, and we were actually rehearsing yesterday evening, I am definitely the oldest but it is a very fun hobby.

Finally, I used to sail a huge amount with my brother when we were teenagers.,I I have started sailing again. Once I was in Lausanne, Switzerland looking out onto Lake Geneva and in that moment called my brother to tell him of my urge to get a sail boat. So, I currently have a decent sized sail boat, which myself and my daughters have great fun on!

Which course designer has inspired you the most throughout your career?

The course designer who has inspired me the most is Arno Gego. He has contributed so much and influenced a significant amount to our profession. He has worked hard to create a base that all course designers can work up from and he has inspired so many people to push their standards higher.

Could you tell us about your relationship with Gerard Lachat?

When I reflect back on my life, it is noticeable that my life has been linked to Rolex competitions and this is brilliant. I met Gerard in San Patrignano at a 5* competition, where I was invited to help design the course. We have built some of the greatest courses in the world together such as Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva and here in ‘s-Hertogenbosch as well as courses at the FEI World Championship in Herning and so many more. We have built a friendship that goes beyond our profession and we still ride together.

The Rolex Grand Slam was formed in 2013 and will this year celebrate its 10-year anniversary; how beneficial has this initiative been for the sport of show jumping?

The Rolex Grand Slam has really benefited the sport of show jumping as it provides variety with the different Majors that have been encapsulated within it – each has their own unique and captivating atmosphere. As a course designer, it is great to see that every Major has their own signature which makes the show so special. As there are only four Majors every year, it increases the importance and prestige around them. As a result, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping attracts the best riders from all over the world. It is extremely influential in the sport and has become a dream of many riders to compete at the Majors. In addition, it has promoted riders to be tactical with their horses and to make sure that they are fresh for each of the Majors – this has actually benefitted the horses, as the riders do not over-jump them to ensure that they are at their peak levels of performance for these shows. 

You must be delighted that this year’s edition of The Dutch Masters is going ahead with full capacity?

It is great that after several difficult years due to the pandemic that we can have a full edition of The Dutch Masters with crowds, hospitality and the entertainment village all returning. The after parties are also promising to be fun this year! 

How has planning been going for this year’s event?

The planning has been going very well! We have seen a huge amount of interest from the fans that are looking forward to attend again. As a result, we are expecting a lot of crowds and exhibitors to be at the show to watch the best riders of the world – so everything is going smoothly at the moment.

Is there anything new this year that The Dutch Masters has introduced?

In 2020 a lot of changes were made, but unfortunately the event had to be cancelled only one-hour before the show was meant to start, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For this year’s edition, we have implemented these changes, so it is a great opportunity for those attending to see the differences in the set up. The team have added new restaurants, have improved facilities for the audience, and have increased the size of the warm-up arena for the riders. We hope that everyone will enjoy these changes that we have made.

What qualities do you look for in team members? And what makes a successful team?

There is a considerable team working on the show each year – there are about 1,500 staff working during the event. We always try to build a trusting environment between management, staff and volunteers so we can work effectively with each other. Our goal is to build a long-term relationship with the team and that everyone is aware of the high standards we are looking for at The Dutch Masters. This therefore allows the effective running of the event.

What is your advice to someone who wants to get into the sporting events industry?

My main advice is to make sure that they gain a multitude of experience in the sports industry, and to not only focus on the area that they are interested in. This will allow the individual to gain a variety of skills and knowledge that will benefit them later in their chosen sport as well as understand how the industry works in general. Finally, it is vital to have an eye for detail as this will benefit and contribute to the successful running of an event.

For you, what makes a successful major sporting event?

At a successful major sporting event, a balance between fans, sponsors and media needs to be achieved. I believe that for sponsors, it is vital for the facilities to be amazing but if there are limited fans, the atmosphere is not the same which can result in an unsuccessful event. Similarly, if an event does not have sponsors that support and invest in the event, it too will be unsuccessful. In my opinion, creating a successful major sporting event is a blend of sponsors, athletes, media and fans that are in attendance, as they all rely on each other at the end of the day.

Later in the year will mark 10 years since the launch of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; how successful has it been and how has it positively changed the sport?

We are incredibly proud that The Dutch Masters became associated with the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2018. It is an unbelievable concept, and it is incredibly important to the sport of show jumping. It has elevated the sport in both its prestige, as well as the level of riders who are drawn to compete. This year at the show, eight out of the top ten are attending. It also ensures that the highest quality of the event is delivered and that we as event organizers do not stray away from this goal. It is a great concept for riders, fans and sponsors – it has definitely been an absolute success.

Do you and The Dutch Masters organisers take inspiration from any of sport’s other major competitions, e.g., in tennis or golf?

It is definitely beneficial to observe the organisers of other major sport competitions. We also organise an ATP and WTA tennis event in the Netherlands alongside The Dutch Masters. It is a combined tournament that takes place on grass ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon. We apply and use several interchangeable skills and methods when organising both tennis and show jumping events as both can benefit from each other and this has enabled the successful running of events.

The highly anticipated Dutch Masters returns this year from 9-12 March with a spectacular schedule of sport and entertainment. Hosting the first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year, this iconic show will see some of the world’s best horse and rider combinations fight to claim one of the most prestigious prizes in show jumping, the Rolex Grand Prix. This year, The Dutch Masters will welcome the return of both a second arena and national competitions. This second arena, as per tradition, will host the majority of the national competitions taking place throughout the show.

The action in the main arena begins on Thursday 9 March with the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix presented by RS2 Dressage, where elegance, precision and harmony will be seen in abundance. Crowds are sure to be in awe of these partnerships they ‘dance’ together. Britain’s Charlotte Fry and the stunning black stallion Glamourdale will surely be the favourites when they enter the arena. The double Individual gold medallists at the 2022 FEI World Championships have gone from strength to strength and have continued to impress judges and crowds alike since their victory in Herning. Rolex Testimonee, Germany’s Isabell Werth and the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere will also be contesting the top spot on the leader board. Dressage fans will be treated to a masterclass from some of the world’s best in the discipline, including Charlotte Fry, Britt Dekker, Samantha Steenwijk & Anky van Grunsven later on in the day. Meanwhile, in the second arena, the national competition commences with two jumping classes.

With seven classes taking place across the main arena and the second arena, Friday in the Brabanthallen will be action-packed. First off in the second arena is the KNHS Para Dressuur Trophy, which will see para-dressage riders competing in a Freestyle to Music competition. The feature class comes later in the day in the main arena, where the world’s leading show jumpers will be looking to claim the VDL Groep Prize. Away from the dressage and show jumping taking place during the day, spectators will be treated to a vast variety of exceptional shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy.

Saturday sees the second half of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ with the Freestyle to Music taking place in the early afternoon. This class will be one of the last chances for riders to secure points to qualify for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, taking place in Ocala, Florida, USA in early April. Saturday evening sees the return of the ever-popular Van Schijndel Indoor Derby, as well as the headline show jumping class of the day, the Audi Prize. Meanwhile national jumping and dressage classes take place throughout the day in the second arena.

All eyes on Sunday will be on one class, the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix. Here, 40 of the most elite show jumping combinations will take on Louis Konickx’s expertly designed course in the hope of becoming the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender. The competition is expected to be fierce, with numerous former Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winners in the field, including last year’s victor and Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser, as well as the current Live Contender McLain Ward.

Congratulations! You are the Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender, how are you feeling ahead of The Dutch Masters? Which horse do you plan to compete with in the Rolex Grand Prix?

I am extremely excited to attend and compete at The Dutch Masters. The four Rolex Grand Slam Majors are some of the most prestigious events in the show jumping calendar. These Majors have elevated the sport as they represent an opportunity to showcase the highest quality of jumping in the sport.

I am planning on bringing two of my horses, HH Azur and Contagious, both of whom competed at CHI Geneva. They have been performing very well on the winter circuit. For HH Azur, I have been adapting her training schedule to ensure that she is at her peak performance at The Dutch Masters. Hopefully we will have prepared correctly so that we execute a great performance.

What have you been up to since winning the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva, and how have you been preparing yourself and your horses for The Dutch Masters?

It is important to take time to yourself between seasons to reset and to feel prepared. Currently, I am competing on the winter circuit in Wellington, Florida as this provides a variety of classes that all my horses can compete in. In terms of the preparations for HH Azur and Contagious prior to The Dutch Masters, it is important for them to compete in the build-up to the show. HH Azur is 17-years-old now, so she does not compete as often anymore – instead we just aim her at the most important competitions. On the other hand, Contagious competes more often, I am planning on jumping with him this week at the 5* classes here in Florida. This will be his last show before we travel abroad.

You have had great success at the Winter Equestrian Festival over the past few weeks – how does that affect your confidence going into The Dutch Masters?

I have a lot of great horses thanks to my fantastic owners, who are very enthusiastic in supporting my goals. I am incredibly grateful to my grooms and my team within the stable, as they keep the horses fresh and healthy. However, in the lead up to these Majors, I can find myself internally questioning whether we have prepared correctly and made the right choices. You can never be certain of those aspects until the competition occurs, but it is important to try to have confidence in our methods and training.

You will be making the long journey across from America to The Dutch Masters, how do you ensure that your horses travel well so they can continue to perform at their peak?

My team and I have become very experienced at this, as over the years as we have attended numerous shows abroad. This has allowed us to develop an understanding of how to manage the logistics of travelling. I feel incredibly grateful to have an excellent team of people who support my horses and me. My grooms and stable workers are brilliant with the horses; it is clear that they are passionate about them and the industry.

As we are based in the United States, we have become used to travelling abroad to attend shows, as the best of the sport is based in mainland Europe. I have always wanted to compete against the very best show jumpers, so it is important that I attend Majors, such as CHIO Aachen, CHI Geneva, and The Dutch Masters. The horses that we select to compete have become accustomed to the travelling, and they now handle the changes very well. Travelling with horses always takes a substantial amount of planning and preparation ahead of the events, but my team are now experts at this.

What are your goals, dreams and ambitions for 2023?

My main goal for this season is to help the United States qualify for the Paris Olympic Games 2024. As soon as we achieve the qualification, we will then shift our focus to becoming the best national team who are ready for the world stage in Paris. This is the ultimate goal, as it is always such an honour to represent your country.

My personal goal is to remain in contention for the Majors in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Every year, I place a great deal of importance on these events, as they are great Grands Prix – they are iconic in their own right. As a result, a considerable proportion of the year is focused on preparing for these events with the aim to execute a great performance. On the day itself, you need a certain amount of luck for your performance to go your way and to win. It is extremely challenging to win multiple Majors, and therefore to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, explaining why only one person, Scott Brash, has achieved this. 

You have had so much success with HH Azur – tell us about her and what it is about her that makes her so successful?

HH Azur has an incredible physical ability but what makes her truly stand out is her character. She is a warrior at heart. I use the term ‘Queen’ when referring to her, as she encapsulates every aspect of that term. Two years ago, I thought that it was the end of her career, as she had several injuries but she overcame them. At the beginning of the 2022 season, she was feeling better than ever, and we made the decision to keep competing her and then assess her later on in the season. She ended up having the best year of her career so far. You can directly notice that she is truly passionate and in love with the sport. As long as she is still in love with the sport and happy, we will continue competing. She handles both indoor and outdoor arenas really well; she does not get fazed by much. She is a very smart horse and understands a huge amount of what we do with her. I love spending time with her, whether that is hacking, training or competing – she is such a brilliant horse.

What keeps you motivated and hungry for success?

I am currently extremely motivated and I feel that I am in a good place in my life. I have a really wonderful support network, whether that is from my family or group of owners. I really enjoy my professional and personal interactions with my owners, as we are like minded, we have similar purposes and clearly share the same passion. I continue to enjoy figuring out new strategies to improve myself and the horses, as well as ‘playing the game’ well. I still feel like I am in great physical condition – competing against the younger generation keeps me on my toes and inspires me to constantly aim to be at my best.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary later in the year – how big an impact has it had on the sport?

Rolex’s involvement and the introduction of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has elevated our sport, in particular the four Major competitions, to a superior level. Once you have represented your country on an international stage, such as at the Olympic Games, the next prestigious goal is to win these iconic Majors. They are the equivalent to The Masters and The Championships, Wimbledon, which gather the best sportsmen and sportswomen in the world.

However, there is an increased challenge in completing the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, as you are required to win three Majors in a row. In contrast to other sports, we have the variable of the horse; it is one thing to prepare yourself mentally and physically, but ensuring that the horse is in peak condition is a different challenge in itself. Winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is definitely doable, as it has been won before. Hopefully, this incredible feat will be achieved again. In terms of my horse, HH Azur, she was clear in the last three Grand Slam Majors, but unfortunately we were only successful in one jump-off.

The challenge of winning the Rolex Grand Slam brings out the best in our sport, as everyone is training and performing with the aim of being victorious. Last season, at CHI Geneva, we witnessed the greatest jump-off in the history of our sport, and it raised the bar on what is achievable.

Away from show jumping, how do you relax? What do you love to do?

I am lucky that, other than trying to find some headspace, I do not have this urge to get away from the sport. I love every single aspect of it. I am very lucky that I live on two beautiful farms, one in Florida and other in New York. My family enjoy, and are involved in, the sport, as well, so it has become a way of life for me. Of course, it is important to find balance and spend some time away from the horses to keep your head clear but I need to remind myself to do this.

If you weren’t a show jumper, what would you have been?

I imagine that I would have ended up building high-end houses and developments. I have actually built a number of properties and I truly enjoy it. I appreciate the challenge when building and renovating places; it allows me to be creative when I work with landscapes and designs. There are a lot of crossovers with show jumping, as in both you have to think creatively and forwardly.

Do you follow any other sports aside from show jumping?

I follow most sports in general; my eldest daughter is a sports fanatic so we enjoy following multiple sports together. We both enjoy the competitiveness that comes from watching different disciplines. I think it is important to watch other sports so you can observe and learn from the economics and politics and bring their learnings to our sport.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which three items would you take with you?

I would bring my three girls: my wife Lauren, and daughters Lily and Maddox.

The Dutch Masters returns from 9-12 March 2023 and will play host to the first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the year. The four-day show will showcase some of the finest horse and rider combinations and will culminate on Sunday with the Rolex Grand Prix. Heading to this prestigious event and seeking to claim this pinnacle class will be eight of the world’s current top 10-ranked riders, as well as seven Rolex Testimonees.

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Rider Watch

The current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender McLain Ward makes the journey from America with two of his top horses – HH Azur and Contagious. The American, who wowed the crowds at CHI Geneva with his exceptional jump-off performance in the Rolex Grand Prix, has continued his triumphant form at the Winter Equestrian Festival this year, recently winning a CSI5* Grand Prix. Ward will travel to The Dutch Masters brimming with confidence and hoping to impress in Europe.

This year’s competition is set to be one of the toughest yet with numerous former Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winners in attendance. Leading the way is Rolex Testimonee, Daniel Deusser, the defending champion of the Rolex Grand Prix held under the bright lights of the Brabanthallen. The German is a fierce competitor and knows how to perform at high-pressured Majors, having won two last year. The three-time Dutch Masters Grand Prix winner will be looking to restart his quest to become only the second person to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Deusser will be joined by compatriot, and winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen, Gerrit Nieberg, who will be aiming to claim his first victory at this iconic show.

World No 1. Henrik von Eckermann adds to the impressive list of entries this year and is always one to be at the top of the leader boards. The Swedish rider ended 2022 with a sensational win in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final held at CHI Geneva with his incredible gelding, King Edward. Von Eckermann is the ultimate horseman and has now held the World No.1 position consecutively for the past seven months. As a previous winner of the Rolex Grand Prix held at The Dutch Masters, having won in 2019 with the sensational Toveks Mary Lou, all eyes will be on the World No.1 when he rides into the main arena. Fellow countryman, Peder Fredricson, with whom von Eckermann won Team gold at the FEI World Championships last summer, will also line up in 's-Hertogenbosch.

Two of Switzerland’s most decorated show jumpers, World No.2 Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat, will also be in attendance. The duo, who have won six Rolex Grand Slam Majors between them, have never been able to claim this prized trophy; however, both riders understand the precision, bravery and athleticism required by horse and rider to be successful, and will be two of the favourites going into the class on Sunday.

France’s three representatives at the show will be Julien Epaillard, Simon Delestre and Kevin Staut. Epaillard, who is World No.3, won over 75 international classes last year, and will be tough to beat if he makes it through to the jump-off on Sunday. Delestre and Staut have strength and depth in both their talent and their string of horses and will no doubt be vying for the top spot in this esteemed class.

The home crowd will be delighted to welcome 14 Dutch riders to the Brabanthallen. At the forefront of the Dutch contingent is last year’s runner-up in the Rolex Grand Prix, Harrie Smolders. Smolders, who led the Dutch team to victory at the FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona in 2022, will be hoping to go one better than last year, bringing the trophy back to the home nation. Other notable Dutch riders include World No.8 Maikel Van Der Vleuten and Willem Greve, the latter finishing third in this feature class last year.

The only winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Britain’s Scott Brash, is never one to count out at a Rolex Grand Slam Major. Brash will be joined by two of his FEI World Championships bronze medal-winning teammates, Under-25 riders Harry Charles and Joseph Stockdale. Charles, who last year broke into the World’s top 15 is one of the most exciting talents in the sport, and will be looking to claim his first Rolex Grand Prix win .

Other riders to look out for at the first Major of year include Austria’s Max Kühner who won this coveted title in 2021, FEI World Championship Individual silver medalist Jérôme Guery, and the World No.7 from Brazil, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli.

Before the Rolex Grand Prix – the highlight class of the 61st edition of CHI Geneva – got underway, 8,000 adoring fans said farewell to an all-time great horse, Martin Fuchs’ legendary gelding, Clooney 51, who was retired in August 2021. After winning this Rolex Grand Slam Major in 2019 with the now 16-year-old grey, a visibly emotional Fuchs paraded Clooney to each corner of the Geneva Arena, to rapturous applause and cheering from all who watched on, before closing with a short speech honouring his loyal companion.

The scene was then set for this year’s Rolex Grand Prix, in which 40 horse and rider combinations representing 14 nations – including 16 out of the current top 20-ranked riders – lined-up, each staking a claim for one of the sport’s most sought-after prizes, as part of their Rolex Grand Slam quests. Course designers Gérard Lachat and Louis Konickx set a technical, 14-obstacle first round test, which would be followed by a nine-effort jump-off, should two or more partnerships navigate the opening round without a fault.

Great Britain’s Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly) recorded the 1.60m class’s first clear, emulated soon after by Daniel Deusser of Germany with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. At the halfway stage, a further seven riders had gone clear, including Gilles Thomas (Calleryama), French duo Kevin Staut (Scuderia 1918 Viking d'la Rousserie) and Simon Delestre (Cayman Jolly Jumper), Andre Thieme (DSP Chakaria) and Christian Ahlmann (Dominator 2000 Z) of Germany, Dane Andreas Schou (Darc de Lux), and Irishman Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz). The second half of the round witnessed just four additional riders progressing to the jump-off, with the Oxer-Liverpool (6a) proving to be the trickiest and most knocked down. These riders included crowd favourites, Martin Fuchs (Leone Jei) and Elian Baumann (Little Lumpi E), American McLain Ward (HH Azur), and a delighted Daniel Bluman of Israel (Ladriano Z), making a final shoot-out of 13 pairings.

Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender, Daniel Deusser set the early jump-off pace and put the pressure on after becoming the first to go double clear in a time of 42.58 seconds. However, it wasn’t to be a second consecutive Major victory for Deusser after Simon Delestre went 0.12 seconds faster, with the Frenchman’s time soon being eclipsed by next gen Belgian talent Gilles Thomas, who went 1.58 seconds quicker still (40.88 seconds). After both Christian Ahlmann and Rolex Testimonee, Kevin Staut were unable to go clear, Saturday’s winner of the Credit Suisse Challenge, Shane Sweetnam, looked like a man possessed, going clear and knocking Thomas off top spot in 40.48 seconds, a time that looked unbeatable. However, next into the arena, Martin Fuchs proved Thomas’ time in fact was beatable, going sub-40 seconds (39.77 seconds), and in turn sending the crowd wild. With penultimate rider Daniel Bluman putting one down, Fuchs’ destiny lay in the hands of American McLain Ward and his 16-year-old bay mare HH Azur. Renowned for their speed and accuracy, the pair glided around the course, going faster than Fuchs at the first two sectors, eventually clearing the final fence over a second quicker than the Swiss, etching their names into Rolex Grand Slam history, with Ward ultimately becoming the Live Contender.  

On his first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major victory and where it ranks among his career wins, McLain Ward, said: “To win the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva ranks right up amongst the very greatest moments. Olympic gold medals, the Grand Prix in Calgary – this is a very special moment.”

And on what makes CHI Geneva such a special place to compete at, McLain Ward, commented: “Its people! I mean, it’s spectacular, the atmosphere, the environment, the organisers and sponsors make it so special that the competitors rise to the day.”

Why is CHI Geneva such a special show?

It’s a home show so it’s already something special, as you’re competing in front of your home crowd, which is really lovely. For my part, I’ve been selected to compete at CHI Geneva three times, which means a lot to me. Michel Sorg, who is responsible for the [Swiss Team] selection is always believing in me and always giving me my chance. And of course, CHI Geneva is the most beautiful indoor show in the world, so it’s always a very special feeling to be competing here.

How much inspiration do you take from fellow Swiss riders, such as Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat?

When I was a little kid I was always lining-up to get a signature from Martin and Steve, so to be competing with them is something that means a lot to me. I’ve been dreaming of it and working hard, and now being there with them, my dreams are kind of coming true. This year, we can also speak about Edouard [Schmitz], who is competing at 5* level; he has had a wonderful year, and I think he is now an idol, who we can all take inspiration from.

Which horses are you competing with this week?

I’ve had a bit of disappointment jumping here this week, as I brought a very green horse with me to jump at this level, to give him his chance, but maybe it was a little bit early. The horse is Lyon Van De Plataan, he’s 10-years-old and a super-quick horse and very competitive, especially at this level. But this arena is very spooky, with a lot of things to look at, so for a horse who is a little bit green, it was maybe a little bit too early, but he’s definitely a horse for the future and one we will keep an eye on.

Which of your young horses are you most excited about?

That’s an easy question! I currently have a seven-year-old, who my trainer Constant Van Paesschen is riding. She’s a wonderful horse and I think next year we will definitely see her competing in the ranking classes. I’m taking her back this winter so I’m very excited. It’s a horse who I love, it’s a horse we have bred, so I’ve literally been growing with her. In two years’ time I believe we’ll see her jumping some of the biggest competitions in the world – she is fantastic.

What are you dreams and ambitions for 2023?

I’ve been selected again for the Swiss team, so I would like to confirm my place and take part in a few Nations Cup competitions, and eventually I would really enjoy stepping up a little bit, which I will really work for. Maybe I can jump my first 5* show in St. Gallen, or get my first selection in a really big event, which would absolutely be a dream for me next year. 

What’s the proudest moment of your career so far?

There have been a lot of really happy moments. I would have to say last year when I became Swiss champion with Vinci [Du Gue] – that was something very special, which I was working towards a lot, and with no faults, it meant a little bit extra. I’ve been really proud of how I’ve managed my championships and the way my horse has been with me and fighting for me, so this has probably been the best moment in my career so far.

Who has inspired you the most throughout your career?

Definitely my dad. My trainer, Constant Van Paesschen, has been super with me, carrying  me through the sport and helping me through the ups and downs. But my dad has really taught me a lot of important things, not just in sport, but also life lessons that you can apply to sport. He’s taught me to be a fighter and to never let myself down, to take my own path and to just go for it, and I think that’s the most precious lesson that someone could give me.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in show jumping?

Just believe in your dreams. I used to be a little kid, who was lining up for riders’ signatures, watching those riders with stars in my eyes. But don’t ever think it’s easy, as it’s a hard path, but don’t give up and just go for it.

In your opinion, how positive an impact has the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping had on the sport?

Rolex has always been a wonderful sponsor and a wonderful support for the sport – they’ve made this Rolex Grand Slam circuit legendary. Scott Brash contributed to it by winning the Rolex Grand Slam, which I thought would be impossible, but he made the impossible possible. For me, it’s a just a timeless concept. It’s made up of four of the biggest competitions in the world, the four competitions, which every single rider dreams of competing at and winning. The Grand Slam of Show Jumping will always be a very special circuit and in the hearts of every single rider in the world.

What are your passions away from show jumping?

I study law, so I would say that I am also 100% in my studies. It’s something that has become a passion, which I guess is mandatory to be able to study law, as if you don’t love it you just won’t make it. I play tennis, which helps me to take a break from show jumping – I think we all need something in order to escape and to breathe different air when show jumping becomes a bit too heavy. All of my hobbies are more of less associated with sport and studies.

What is your role at CHI Geneva?

I am the veterinary delegate for the FEI at CHI Geneva. I am in charge of looking at the veterinary rules set by the FEI and making sure that they are implemented correctly. This starts with the organisation of the veterinary team and examination of the horses on arrival, making sure that they are sound, that they do not have any signs of the EHV virus or any other contagious disease and ensuring that the horses are fit to compete. Another important job that we have is conducting doping tests and treating any horses onsite who have become unwell or lame.

Have you worked on any other international equestrian events?

I have been fortunate to be able to work on a variety of different international events with the FEI. I was the veterinary delegate for CSI Zürich for 30 years, as well as for CSIO St. Gallen for almost 40 years. I am  also in charge of the veterinary service at CHI Basel and was a member of the vet commission at the FEI World Championships in Herning last August.

This is the second year that I will be the veterinary delegate at CHI Geneva. Before, you could work at an event with no break, but nowadays the veterinary delegate (VD) has to change every three years, so next year will be my last year working as VD at CHI Geneva.

How important is nutrition for a horse’s wellbeing?

A horse’s wellbeing is very important – in my opinion it is as important as it is for athletes, although, it is not as well researched as it is in high level human athletes. The horse’s digestive tract needs a lot of fibre, but nowadays people tend to treat a horse’s nutrition as they would a human athlete’s. People now give their horses food with a lot of ingredients that are highly concentrated – horses cannot process this type of food because their digestive tracts are still the same as they were many years ago. In my opinion, the old way of feeding horses is the best way and the supplements that are sold now are not so suitable for a horse’s natural system. 

Why did you decide to become an equine vet? Did anyone inspire you?

It was easy for me – even when I was at school, I always wanted to be an equine vet. I do not think anyone inspired me, but for some reason it was always clear to me that this was what I wanted to do. I didn’t even grow up in a horse family – my family was more into cars.

What career achievement(s) are you most proud of?

When you get older you realise that you have done a lot of things. I think the thing that I most proud of is that I built a good reputation in Switzerland and that I am a well-respected member of the veterinary community who is known to have good professional knowledge. I did a lot of colic surgery when I was still fully practicing, and I was able to build up a private clinic which I sold five years ago. It still has a very good reputation and that is the thing that I am most proud of.

What do you enjoy most about being an equine vet?

The thing that I enjoy most about being an equine vet is being able to work with horses – they are the love of my life. Being able to spend so much time with them is a privilege – although sometimes I wish I didn’t have to deal with their owners, but that is not possible! I love being able to treat horses and find out how to help them so that they are no longer lame or ill.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to become an equine vet?

I think that nowadays the younger generation shows more interest in the ‘life’ aspect of the ‘work-life balance’, but to be an equine vet requires a full engagement. You have to be completely devoted to this career, and it will be more ‘work’ than ‘life’. Another key quality that I think people have to have is patience – it is one of the most important things that you need in order to work with horses.

What is a typical day for you like?

It is difficult to say now because I am partially retired, so I can enjoy my life a bit more. I no longer have to drive all day to clients like I did for many years – it could sometimes be from 6am in the morning to 10pm at night. In the past I also used to help students in the clinic. Veterinary practices are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, which meant sometimes I would be operating all night.

I still have some clients, such as Steve Guerdat and the Fuchs family , who are some of the best show jumpers in the world. I work from my car privately, so I do not need to have a clinic or employees anymore.

Tell us a little bit about your team at CHI Geneva…

At CHI Geneva there will be four vets at all times, two official FEI vets and two t treating vets. It depends on which event you are working at but generally the more horses there are, the more vets need to be on-site. For example, at CSIO St. Gallen, we have five or six vets on-site at all times.

Now you have retired, what legacy do you think you have left in equestrianism?

Now I have partially retired, I spend a lot of time giving speeches and seminars, especially to people who are amateurs and do not compete at a high level. Often, they have a full-time job alongside having a horse, and so I think that sometimes they do not understand the complexity of horses because they do not spend all their time looking after them. I try to educate them on what horses need in order to perform best, how to feed them correctly and how to be a better horseman.

The welfare of the horse underpins what the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping stands for; how do you ensure this is upheld and veterinary standards are constantly improving?

To me, communication is the key, and we need to include all stakeholders in the industry, including riders, grooms, owners and officials, in the conversations. We need to consider all aspects of the sport, but the key thing that we need to remember is that the horse should always be at the centre of these conversations.

Sometimes it can be difficult because there is a lot of money involved and people also have their own personal goals and ambitions within the sport. However, it is so important to recognise that horses are living animals and they are not machines – you cannot just turn them on and off like you would with a car.

In your opinion, what more can be, and should be, done to improve the welfare of the horse?

I think that maybe we should limit the amount of  high level competitions and large classes that horses compete in over the course of the year. In our sport we have so many great and well organised events – such as the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors – that there are so many opportunities to compete at the very highest level and often the prize money is so good that riders are tempted to jump in more classes. Therefore, often the horses do not have enough time to fully rest and recover between classes. I think that most top riders understand this, but I think that we should help them to make an informed decision about which tour they follow and what their annual plan is for each of their individual horses – in the end this will stop people over jumping their horses and will thus improve the welfare of the horse. 

A capacity crowd in the Palexpo’s Geneva Arena watched on in anticipation, as 10 of the world’s very best show jumpers and their equine partners battled it out for the honour to be crowned the 2022 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final champion. Having qualified for this esteemed class, based on November’s FEI jumping rankings, the truly international line-up, comprising riders representing France, Sweden, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Switzerland, The USA and Brazil, would undoubtedly produce unrivalled levels of show jumping.

Just four riders managed to complete the first round of the Gerard Lachat-designed course without picking up a fault, including Thursday night’s winner of the Trophée de Genève, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, current world number one, Henrik von Eckermann, and in-form riders, Simon Delestre and McLain Ward, with the Frenchman ultimately setting the fastest fault-free time of 65.90 seconds. While those with first round faults still found themselves in contention – particularly Peder Fredricson from Sweden with just one time penalty and Dutchman Harrie Smolders with one down – unfortunately, Ben Maher and Exit Remo had a night to forget, after the pair accrued 31 penalties.

On to the second round and everything was to play for. First to go, Great Britain’s Ben Maher found a small consolation after he and his 13-year-old bay gelding went clear. Local hero Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei were unable to apply any pressure after accruing 12 penalties, while Julien Epaillard and McLain Ward both put one down. Swede Peder Fredricson was able to set the early pace after going clear, thereby finishing with one point; however, his teammate, the inimitable Henrik von Eckermann, went one better, thereby becoming the first rider to go double clear with his superstar gelding, King Edward. The final two riders to go, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Simon Delestre, were determined to go one better still. But it wasn’t to be after the Brazilian’s mare hesitated and put the penultimate fence down and the Frenchman, while going double clear, just couldn’t find enough pace, crossing the line over nine tenths slower than von Eckermann, who was ultimately crowned champion of the 21st edition of this revered class, much to his delight.

Thrilled after going one better than last year and achieving a bucket list goal, Henrik von Eckermann, commented: “Yes, definitely – it was one of my focuses after the World Championships when I gave King Edward a bit of a rest, and wanted to build up slowly again, and this was one of the targets, absolutely. It has been a target for many years. Like I said when we had the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Stockholm when Daniel Deusser won it; I walked the course and spoke to Eleonora [Ottaviani] and said one day I would like to win this one, so it’s a very special moment for me.”

In your opinion, what makes CHI Geneva such a special competition?

The particular layout of the event makes CHI Geneva special; everything is under the same roof, which makes the riders’ accessibility easier. The show jumpers do not have to go outside, and they have easy access to their hotel nearby. This easy accessibility makes the riders value the competition in terms of logistics. As this is the Rolex Grand Slam, there are some amazing courses, and classes filled with ambitious riders, which raises the competition level. Due to the event being linked with Rolex, the event’s atmosphere becomes naturally prestigious. It is clear that there is a lot of money behind the event, and this adds to the riders’ motivation to take part.

What kind of course have you prepared for the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday?

It is a fairly long course, similar to last year with 14 obstacles, including two doubles and a triple, making it a real Grand Prix course. We have created the CHI Geneva course differently compared to the Rolex Grand Slam courses in Aachen and Calgary, as for those there are two rounds and a jump-off. In Geneva, we do not make riders do two rounds, so it allows the course to be extended, to be slightly more difficult and to include a jump-off.

How many clear rounds are you expecting?  

It's always more or less the same, we try to have eight or 10 without mistakes. If we have 12, it means that there are too many – if this does occur, it will be less than ideal. In general, we always try to have fewer than 12 but we are aiming for eight clears. This is the ideal number, but if there are six or even 10 then these would be fine, as well.

Which combination do you think has the best chance of winning the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday?

A lot of the riders who compete in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva have great performances. It is essential to have a horse that has skill and speed, and is overall in great shape. Another factor that affects a rider’s performance is whether they are personally fit on competition day. Everyone, even the best riders can have bad days. For example, we saw this with Ben Maher, who has won a lot of Grands Prix. I spoke to him yesterday and he said he hopes his luck lasts throughout the weekend. He is a good show jumper, as he views every situation and competition realistically, while weighing up his rivals. At the moment, he is on top form and he has horses that are on great form, as well.

There is always a rider who experiences periods of great form and victories. These riders are often the ones who are at the top of the rankings, such as Steve Guerdat, Martin Fuchs and Henrik von Eckermann. These riders have achieved incredible success recently. But all of a sudden there can be a relatively new rider, such as Julien Epaillard, who comes along; someone who has never been ranked number one in the world, who certainly has the ability to achieve this one day. There is a possibility that Julien does well this weekend if, for example, von Eckermann has a weak performance.

When did you design your first course as head course designer?

Unfortunately, I do not remember my very first course well, but I am certain that it was a small course. I would say it was around a 1,00m or a 1,10m event. However, I remember the first big competition I designed was in St. Gallen – all the pressure was on me. Unfortunately, we experienced terrible weather that weekend so only two events took place. A few weeks later, I gained some more experience and responsibility at CHI Geneva and it went relatively well.

Do you have any passions outside of the equestrian world? What do you do when you are not working?

Being fully transparent, I do not have much time to myself, as I still have my breeding centre that I take care of. We have a lot of foals, and young horses that require a lot of attention and patience when training them. At home, we also have foals that I take care of, so when I do have some free time, I tend to not do much to relax.

Have you ever been intrigued by a particular course? 

In truth, I cannot decide on one course, as there have been so many that I have liked. For example, last year’s Rolex Grand Prix course at CHI Geneva was, in my opinion, the best Grand Prix course that I have ever designed. It was appreciated by the audience and the riders, and despite having an event during the pandemic, I was proud of the way it was designed.

On the other hand, there are a lot of courses designed by others that I like and that I think were successful. Again, I cannot make my mind up on one but I really enjoyed the one at this year’s World Championships in Herning. I went with Louis Konickx, as his assistant, and I enjoyed all the courses he designed for the World Championships.

I’ve seen several courses on TV, and I appreciated the Tokyo 2020 show jumping course. It was designed successfully – it was a very professional course that contained several difficulties, and several lines, which were technical. I was lucky enough to receive the plans and I can confirm that it was technical, it was interesting to see – it was a superb event.

Is there a course designer that has inspired you more than others?

It is hard to say whether there have been some who have inspired me more than others but there are definitely course designers that have guided me to my success today. For example, I was inspired and influenced by Rolf Lüdi, and in my career, I have had the chance to work with several designers and it has been very beneficial. Early on, I had the chance to work with Louis Konickx, and that was amazing, as we had the same approach and ideas regarding competition lines. The way we worked together was great – we were supportive of each other’s ideas but we also provided constructive feedback regarding our lines. We criticised each other in a constructive way, and at the end of the day we had the same goal to progress the sport. There was absolutely no tension working with him. I also had the chance to work twice with Uliano Vezzani; it was a different experience, as we have different approaches, and style in terms of the work, but he is an incredible person.

As Sport Director at CHI Geneva, please tell us about your role and your team

I have been Sport Director at CHI Geneva for the past 30 years. Before that, I was involved in the commentary team and did some other little jobs at the show. My role involves being responsible of both the sport, as well as the entertainment – this includes attractions, displays and the whole spectacle of the show. We have an incredible team – Sophie [Mottu Morel], Michel [Sorg] and I, we are great trio, and we discuss all of our ideas together. I pitch new ideas and how to fund them, then if we are happy we will present the ideas to the whole committee.

The committee is made up of 25 people, and then there is a sub-committee that is made up of 10 people, who are focused on equestrianism. The other 15 members are non-equestrians and are, for example, architects, finance or security specialists, who ensure the show is a success and runs as smoothly as possible.

The sub-committee meets regularly, and we all share our thoughts and opinions of the different concepts. It is a very democratic process, and we ensure that the majority agrees with the ideas before we implement them.

During the show, we have extra support from other people, such as Philippe Guerdat, who is the father of Steve. Philippe stopped his jumping career in 1996 and since then he has helped me behind-the-scenes at CHI Geneva. He speaks with the riders about the ground, their wishes and how we can improve things. There are so many people who help to make this show the success that it is today.

We heard you love your statistics – which are your favourite statistics from the last 30 years?

Yes, I love statistics and facts – I spend a lot of time collating them, especially historical facts and looking back at all of the different generations of the sport. For my magazine [Le Cavalier Romand], I have collated the medallists of all the different championships since 1912, as well as the winners of all the major Grands Prix of the last century. Ludger Beerbaum has won the most, with John Whitaker second, Rodrigo Pessoa third, Steve Guerdat fourth and Hans-Günter Winkler fifth – it is very interesting to compare and contrast different generations.

At CHI Geneva, we did not have a list of the champions of the major classes, so I created a record of all of the different winners. Steve Guerdat has won 12 major classes at CHI Geneva, including three Rolex Grands Prix and two Rolex IJRC Top 10 Finals. Rodrigo Pessoa has won 10 of the major classes and Kent Farrington nine.

This year we invited Francisco “Paco” Goyoaga Mollet, a U25 Spanish rider, to compete at CHI Geneva. He came to speak to me at CHIO Aachen, and he told me that his grandfather won the Grand Prix at CHI Geneva twice. In addition, he won the Trophée de Genève and the Nations Cup here – up until 1983 we were allowed to have Nations Cup competitions indoors, but since then in Europe they have to be held outdoors.

In your time working at CHI Geneva, how have you seen the quality of the sport positively develop?

I have to say it's changed incredibly. Thirty years ago, perhaps eight or ten riders could win the Grand Prix on Sunday, but these days 30 out of the 40 starters are in contention. It's not even guaranteed that the best riders will even qualify for the Rolex Grand Prix. It's remarkable how close the competition is nowadays, and I do wonder if it will continue to always be like this. The horses today are so good – this means you have to have an almost perfect horse to be in with a chance of winning. The riders' technique has also improved a lot, the size of the riders’ teams have grown, and overall everything is just so professional. So, sometimes I think where can we go next. In the end, I realise that the situation is fair, which in part is testament to the course designers, who are very clever, and they understand they have to push the riders and their horses, but only very delicately and gradually.

As organisers, we also have a responsibility for the evolution of the sport; for example, to ensure we keep the door open to allow future show jumping talent to compete and develop. We are proud to have invited Victor Bettendorf from Luxembourg, who has had so many 4* Grands Prix victories, but has not had the chance to ride in the 5* shows and last night he was second in the Trophée de Genève!

We have a lot of offers from riders to pay to participate at CHI Geneva, but we are determined to always refuse, to keep our values and our philosophy, which is to ensure that the most talented athletes compete here and not just those who are able to pay. As organisers, we have a big responsibility to safeguard the evolution of the sport.

What is your personal highlight of CHI Geneva?

We have had so many amazing moments. Steve’s [Guerdat] first win in the Grand Prix here in 2006 was incredibly special. He won with Jalisca Solier, who he had only had since September 2006 and had never jumped in a 5* Grand Prix before. The day he got the horse, he rang me and said that he thought with that mare he could win the Grand Prix at CHI Geneva and go to the Beijing 2008 Olympics (Hong Kong) – and he did both. Since then, Steve has won CHI Geneva’s Rolex Grand Prix twice and the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final twice, but I think his first win was the most emotional.

Another highlight for me was watching the incredible Martin Fuchs win the Rolex Grand Prix last year to make it a historic two wins in a row. This year I am really looking forward to Sunday for the incredible Clooney’s [51] retirement ceremony.

Last year we introduced the indoor cross-country, where Swiss rider Robin Godel won the class. He had a really tough year, as he sadly lost his horse during the cross-country phase of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It was really nice that he was able to end his year on a high and go into 2022 with a positive mindset.

Next year marks 10 years since the launch of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; what has been your favourite memory?

I have two favourite memories. Firstly, it was incredible to watch Nick Skelton and Big Star win the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen. It was one of the most magical horse and rider combinations, and to have them win the first Rolex Grand Prix, as part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping at CHIO Aachen was such a special occasion. Then, watching Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos win three Majors in a row was phenomenal, particularly as we thought we would have to wait 20 or 30 years or even more to see someone accomplish this incredible feat. We knew our concept was victorious, not only Scott!

Staged in the Palexpo’s iconic Geneva Arena, 50 riders, representing 15 nations, contested Friday’s feature class – the Trophée de Genève – on the second day of 2022’s edition of CHI Geneva. The stellar line-up starred no fewer than 17 of the world’s current top 20-ranked riders, including world number one, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and fellow Swede Peder Fredricson, Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender, Daniel Deusser, local favourite Martin Fuchs and previous Major winner Max Kühner, all of whom would be hoping for a spectacular finish in this 1.60m, 13-combination class in order to qualify for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix.

With no obviously tricky fences standing out, at the halfway point, 12 riders out of 25 starters graduated to the jump-off after navigating the Gérard Lachat-designed course fault-free, including current Individual Olympic champion Ben Maher, the in-form American McLain Ward, and last year’s winner of the Coupe de Genève, Harry Charles and his mount Borsato. After the break, the crowd was treated to another six clear rounds and some exceptional levels of horsemanship from riders including the up-and-coming 24-year-old Gilles Thomas, a key member of Belgium’s 2022 Nations Cup Final-winning team. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for CHI Geneva debutant, 23-year-old Briton Joseph Stockdale, who, after a super smooth round, picked up an agonising time fault.

Into the jump-off and it was evident early on that the shortened course was proving more of a test than the first round, with the British duo of Maher and Charles, Swedish duo of von Eckermann and Fredricson and America duo of Kraut and Ward all accruing faults. Last year’s Rolex Grand Prix champion, Martin Fuchs and Shane Sweetnam bucked this trend, both jumping fault-free, but with the Irishman eclipsing the Swiss maestro’s time by an impressive 12.06 seconds, which appeared to be unassailable. However, the sole representative from Luxembourg, Victor Bettendorf, soon went one better than Sweetnam, beating him into second place by 0.28 seconds. With just a handful of riders left to go, Bettendorf looked to have things sewn up, but a determined Marlon Modolo Zanotelli from Brazil flew around the seven-combination jump-off over a second quicker than Bettendorf, thereby taking the victory with his superstar partner VDL Edgar M.

Thrilled with his 13-year-old chestnut gelding’s performance in both rounds, Modolo Zanotelli commented: “He was amazing – he has had such an incredible season, and this is his last show of the year. To have a victory this early in the show is definitely something incredibly special.

“I was lucky to go towards the end of the class so I could watch the rest of the riders and know what I had to do. I know my horse incredibly well now and know his strengths which meant I could take some risks at the beginning of the course – luckily today that was enough to win.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix and asked if he will be partnered by Edgar, Modolo Zanotelli said: “That is the plan, but I am jumping Like A Diamond in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final tomorrow so we will see how she goes and then make a final decision.”

Tell us a little bit about your journey to CHI Geneva…

I flew from Miami to Belgium with Nayel Nassar’s Coronado and Igor Van De Wittemoere five days ago, and we stayed there until Tuesday night, before arriving in Geneva yesterday morning. They are feeling good and are in a great mood. They both travelled extremely well, eating and drinking plenty. They are very kind, friendly and talented horses. Coronado and Igor travelled in a double container. There are also containers called ‘triples’, which hold three horses, but the horses have less room. To ensure they have a more comfortable journey, we always ship our horses in a double.

This time the plane was also full of flowers, which were being transported to Amsterdam – there were lots of tulips so the whole flight smelt beautiful! The flight is a little cold, as the horses travel better when they are cool, and it’s also better for the flowers. We also had one boat engine on the flight; generally, as well as horses, these cargo flights transport all sorts of things – cars, washing machines, pretty much anything you can think of. The grooms sit behind the pilots’ cockpit and from there we have access to check on the horses, which is what we’re doing every second hour or sometimes every hour, depending on how they travel.

It must be very important to monitor a horse’s hydration, nutrition and wellbeing when they fly?

Yes. Some of the horses don’t drink very well when they fly, so we try to give them a bit of wet mash, which we sometimes add apple juice to, as a way of hydrating them. The hay that they eat of the plane contains a lot of electrolytes, which hydrates them even more. It’s also important to make sure that the horses are properly fed and hydrated and fully prepared before any type of plane journey.

Do you do a lot of driving, and how do you keep yourself entertained on long journeys?

I used to, but now I do not do as much, as I am lucky enough to have use of a transport company that drives for us. I like to listen to music on long journeys, and I am now lucky to travel with friends so we try and get the atmosphere going. I think a lot – travelling is a good time to reflect.

If there is a horse that doesn’t like to travel, what can you do to help it?

I think you have to know your horses really well – in that way you can recognise if your horse does not feel well or if they are stressed, and then you will be able to help them. It is important to know these little things, such as if your horse travels hot or cold – the more you know about your horse the better it will be.

How have Coronado and Igor been preparing for CHI Geneva?

The horses have been jumping at home in the United States. A few weeks ago, they did some big shows in America and Canada so they have had a few quiet weeks since then in the build-up to this Major. I think that they can sense that it is a big venue here at CHI Geneva with a lot of atmosphere, and you can tell that their adrenaline kicks in.

How much do you enjoy coming to the Majors – The Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows and now CHI Geneva? In your opinion, what sets them apart from the other shows?

Yes, absolutely – they are some of the best shows in the world! Everything is the best of the best – the facilities, the sport, the stabling and so on. They really take care to make sure the horses, riders and grooms do not want for anything.

Do you feel more pressure when you are at one of the Rolex Grand Slam Majors?

There is always pressure in this sport, but I do definitely feel that there is more pressure at a Major. You have the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final and the Rolex Grand Prix, both are such prestigious classes with a lot of prize money. Everyone wants to win the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday, and I think the field is so strong this year that anyone could win.

How much riding do you do?

I do not ride much anymore. I used to ride a little bit, but to be honest I think I am better at grooming the horses and giving them treats!

What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the job?

I love being with the horses. It is always a very proud moment when the horses do well at a show – it is a whole team effort to get those results. I also love the bonds that you create with people at the shows. My least favourite part has to be mucking out!

What is the grooms’ community like? Do grooms support one another?

It is a great community. The grooms definitely support each other, which is very important, as the job can sometimes be hard. There is now more support than ever, with the introduction of associations that look after us – it is hard work and it is nice to be recognised.

What attributes do you need to have to be a top-level groom?

You need to be hardworking, passionate, love what you do, and of course want to win!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

Monkey see, monkey do. You must always look and learn by keeping your eyes and ears open at all time.

You must be delighted that this year’s edition of the CHI Geneva is going ahead with full capacity?

It is completely amazing! Ticket sales for this year’s edition of the show have been great. I think we will have a full house on Sunday, and maybe even Friday and Saturday. I cannot explain why this year has been so good for sales, maybe it is Clooney’s [Clooney 51] retirement ceremony or the chance that Martin Fuchs may win the Rolex Grand Prix again for a historic and successive third time. We are happy to see that a lot of people want to come to the show this year. I think people want to be  hereto share in a special memory with other people and to cheer for a Swiss victory. Also, last year CHI Geneva was the only event in Geneva in December, so maybe last year people discovered the show and have decided to come back this year.

This year we have an extra day of competition on Wednesday, and we have opened up the show to everyone, as it will be free to enter. This is one of our philosophies to make CHI Geneva accessible to everyone and gain a new audience for our sport.

Is there anything new to this year’s schedule at CHI Geneva?

Yes, the Prix Credit Suisse, comprising three National Jumping classes on the first day of the show. These past years, the competitions were held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday but we realised it would be hard for the riders to get here because the traffic in Geneva in the mornings is difficult, and it’s also easier for the National riders to only come to the show on one day. It also means that we can give the volunteers a break during these mornings, as they do not have to be at the Palexpo so early, and it is also nice for us, the organisers, to have a few quieter mornings!

How important are the volunteers to the successful running of the show?

They are crucial. We have 700 volunteers this year and they are the stars of the show. They give the show so much passion – they want to be there and they are happy to be there, and for me they are so important. The show wouldn’t be the same without them – they are spirit of the show.

What qualities do you look for in team members? And what makes a successful team?

We work like a family – we all want to help each other. We have a lot of responsibilities, and we have to count on each member to do their job correctly. We have to trust our colleagues – there are lots of people doing lots of different jobs but we all come together to achieve the same objective.

What is your advice to someone who wants to get into the sporting events industry?

You have to love the sport that you want to be part of but you also need to follow other major sports, such as tennis, golf and skiing and their sporting events. If you want to be good, you have to look at what the others do well and always strive to improve.

You have to go to events and speak to people working there, and you can take those ideas and translate them for your own event. In addition, I would say, do not count your hours because you will work a lot – but it is also fun because you meet a lot of people and if you are passionate about your sport, you can sometimes meet your sporting idol. All in all, don’t be afraid of the job, speak with lots of people and open your eyes to everything so that you can continuously improve.

Do you and CHI Geneva’s organisers take inspiration from any of sport’s other Major competitions, e.g., in tennis or golf?

Yes, of course. It is so beneficial to look at what other sports are doing. I did go to The Championships, Wimbledon once, which was incredible. I think maybe going to the other sports’ Major events is something we should do a bit more to learn how they do things.

Why does CHI Geneva emphasise giving younger riders opportunities to compete in a Major competition?

Because they are the stars of tomorrow. It is really important for them to compete with the best riders and in the best arenas, and it is a fantastic way to learn. Supporting young riders has been part of CHI Geneva’s long history; even before I came to the show, Alban Poudret and many others made sure it was a priority. Nowadays, we have the U25 classes but before those were introduced, we welcomed the younger generation in the international classes. I think these classes have helped to develop riders, such as Edouard Schmitz, who is only 23-years-old. He started doing the U25 classes when we first introduced them three years ago, and now he is one of the best in the world.

Next year marks 10 years since the launch of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; how successful has it been and how has it positively changed the sport?

I think it has been an amazing success. It was 10 years ago we started out on this journey, and now we are having the chance to be able to reflect on it. We have met some amazing people from the other Majors and have learnt so much from each other. It was great when Scott Brash won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2015 because it gave our concept creditability – it proved it is possible even if it is tough.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping set the benchmark and standard for other shows to achieve – the quality of riders that come to compete is phenomenal and the prize money is also incredible. CHI Geneva has learnt so much from being part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, and we are so proud to be part of this family – the other Majors inspire us and make us want to keep getting better. I’m also very grateful and thankful to Rolex – they’ve been a very faithful partner.

What has been your personal highlight from the first 10 years of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

There have been so many. A personal highlight for me was watching Scott Brash win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in Calgary – it was breath-taking. Also, watching Steve Guerdat and Nino [Des Buissonnets] win the first Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva, as part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2013 is something I will never forget.

You have had great 2022 – what have you enjoyed the most and what are you most proud of?

2022 has been a great year. It has been the first year that things have gone back to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic and it was so great to be back at shows with the spectators there as well. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we did lose some shows but all in all it has been a positive year.

I have also had a couple of new horses come into my yard that I am very excited about. I have a nine-year-old, Major Tom, who this year has stepped-up to jump in some bigger classes. I am very pleased with how he has handled this, and he will now have some downtime before next year. I have big hopes for him next year.

What are your plans, dreams and ambitions for 2023?

Next year is incredibly important for the Brazilian team as we are looking to gain our qualification for the Olympic Games – so this will be my main goal. We will work towards the FEI Nations Cup™ Final in September and the Pan American Games held in Chile in October. So, 2023 will be a busy year to make sure that we perform well at these events to ensure our place in Paris.

Tell us a little bit about your stable of horses – which ones are you most excited about?

Major Tom, a nine-year-old Belgian-bred is my main horse. We have had him for two years, since he was a seven-year-old, and he is owned by Artemis Equestrian Farm. He has a huge amount of ability and quality so we have been trying to produce him as best we can so that he can tackle the big events.

I also have some other very nice horses that are owned by Artemis Equestrian Farm including Chili, Quality FZ and Venice Beach who are all 5* horses that have a lot of experience and are competitive at top level. I am really excited about the horses that I currently have, and I have a lot of hope for 2023.

This year marks the 21st Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final – what is the role of the IJRC role and in your opinion how important is the club for show jumping?

The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final is organised by the IJRC. We founded the class after I came back from the Tennis Masters in Portugal and I thought that was something that needed to be added in our sport. It is something that is so exclusive, has great prize money and now the riders really fight to get into the Top 10. The riders always bring their best horses to try and win this prestigious class. I am really proud to be part of it and the IJRC make sure that the class is so well run.

I think that the club is so important. We are trying to improve the sport and make sure that we introduce new innovative ideas to the sport to ensure that it evolves in the right way. The IJRC does a tremendous amount of work to ensure that the committee represents all the riders and additional stakeholders such as owners and breeders – it is an important piece of the puzzle of our sport.

In your opinion what do the decision makers and the rights holders need to focus on to keep evolving and progressing the sport?

I think that we really need to focus on promoting the sport across the world to get more mainstream media attention. Sports such as tennis or football take up much of the media attention and sponsorship – so you really have to battle to be in the media much as possible so that we can keep sponsors, ensure the sport develops and keep the prize money improving.

You have recently been elected as the FEI athlete for jumping riders – what will your role be, and what will you be aiming to achieve over the next four years?

I am the voice of the riders, my voice is what comes out of the IJRC board – I try to defend our interest as much as possible as well as guiding and suggesting changes that I think are positive for the sport. So, my job is to promote the views of all riders across the world, and to speak with riders that have problems, especially ones that are not really known or under the radar. I bring them up with the FEI and help them solve their problems so that the sport can continue to grow.

You have had an incredible career as both a rider and a high-performance manager – what else would you love to accomplish?

My focus right now is on competing, especially with the nice stables of horses that I have, so to compete at a high level is my number one objective. Through my role in the IJRC I am focused on moving forward to keep developing the sport – it benefits me, but also everyone.

How positive do you believe the Rolex Grand Slam has been for the sport of show jumping?

I think is very important to have a brand that is as big globally as Rolex to get behind the sport. We are incredibly lucky to have such a great brand behind our sport – they invest a lot of money, not only in the events, but also in media and press to try and put the word out about equestrian sport. Rolex are so famous and prestigious that our sport being linked to them is a huge benefit for us – I would say it is more a plus for us then it is for them, so we are very lucky to have their support.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has been incredible for the sport. The Majors are something that riders and owners look forward to and aim towards. All of the Majors, both indoors and outdoors, are phenomenal, and something very special in the calendar.  The Rolex Grand Slam is something that is very difficult to achieve, with only Scott Brash achieving it in 2015 and I do not know if it is something that will be achieved again – but I hope that someone else will do. I think that if someone was going to be able to do it again it would be Daniel Deusser in the next 12 months – he knows how to perform on these big occasions.  

Just like tennis and golf, show jumping has its very own Grand Slam. Which of the other sporting ‘Majors’ do you love watching, and which is your favourite and why?

I am a sports fan in general – I like high quality sport. I love watching Formula One, football, golf and tennis. I think Formula One is my favourite sport to follow but I have been lucky enough to attend some of the Golf and Tennis Majors through my partnership with Rolex, which have been amazing.

What is the best advice someone has given you?

I think it is that patience with horses is the most important thing that you must have. Also, I think that even if things are not going your way, you must keep on pushing and trying and eventually your time will come.