Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

In the history of equestrian sport, there are riders whose names and achievements will be immortalized in history, and today at the CHI Geneva, the last Rolex Grand Slam of Show Major of the calendar year, that is what all 40 athletes were hoping to achieve by winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix.

Once again, skilled course designer, Gérard Lachat, had set a true challenge of bravery, precision and scope for the riders with a 14-combination first round test, which would then be followed by an eight-effort jump-off, should two or more partnerships navigate the opening round without a fault.

Following his win in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, live contender and third into the ring Martin Fuchs, hoped to continue his quest for sport’s ultimate prize, however there was heartbreak for the Swiss rider as the penultimate fence fell.

Problems came throughout the course with the time proving particularly tight. In total four riders produced a faultless jumping round, but picked up unfortunate time-faults. Furthermore, class favourites in the early portion of the competition, such as individual Olympic Champion Ben Maher, and World No. 8, Simon Delestre were able unable to master the tricky course.

It was fifteenth to go, the young German, Richard Vogel, who was part of the Young Riders Academy supported by Rolex, who produced the first clear inside the time. The packed Palexpo then came alive just three horses later as Steve Guerdat continued his fabulous form with Dynamix de Belheme, and ensured that there would be a jump-off. Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington, was one of the ill-fated riders to finish on just four faults, as was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam who was third in this class last year.

As the class went on, riders began to understand the nuisances of the course with clears coming from a number of riders including Belgium’s Wilm VermeIr,  Christian Kukuk,  winner of the 2023 FEI Nations Cup™ Final, and team silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Jessica Springsteen. However, a real shock came as the World No.1 Henrik von Eckermann riding the supremely talented King Edward accrued eight faults.

In total seven horse and rider combinations returned for the jump-off, with riders entering the main area in the same order as the first round. Vogel and the huge striding United Touch S were first to go and wowed the crowd, setting the pace with a clear in the time of 37.14 seconds. Swiss hopes for a home win were dashed as Guerdat, who was looking fast, got too close to the second-to-last fence which ultimately fell. Christian Kukuk produced a double clear but was off the pace of Vogel, crossing the finish nearly five seconds slower. Mark McAuley was another to jump clear, but could not match the speed set. The only rider left that could stop Vogel from winning was Julien Epaillard, who is often referred to as the fastest rider in the sport, however, the second fence fell meaning that Richard Vogel claimed his first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major and closed out the 2023 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping season in style.

Vogel said on becoming the new live contender: “I feel incredible – to win here at the CHI Geneva and become live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam is a dream come true. The atmosphere was amazing, and my horse was just perfect. He has such a big stride, and so especially in the first round some of the lines were very hard for him, but he put in all the effort for me. He gave me everything and jumped his heart out. I have never been to The Dutch Masters, but I am very excited to be there in March – we will make a plan for the next few months and try to win!”

The German rider continued: “I am very close with McLain Ward, and I watched the whole jump-off from last year last night – I knew that to win here you would have to be fast, and so even though I was first to go, I decided to really push for it.”

For you, why is the CHI Geneva such a special show? 

The atmosphere at the CHI Geneva is incredibly special – everything is under one roof, and isextremely well thought out. The Dutch Masters is similar, it has an incredible competition but the arena is much smaller. The CHI Geneva is known for its grandness and the size of its main arena – itis one of the largest indoor show jumping venues in the world. 

How special is it to design a course here at the best indoor show in the world?

The best horse and rider combinations in the world compete at the CHI Geneva, and therefore it can be a difficult task and high pressured job to design a course. The size of the main arena at the show is similar to some outdoor arenas which is amazing, and provides the opportunity to design really interesting courses. There are also a lot of other unique features here, such as the lake and the fountain which we need to consider when building the course – we have to make sure the fans can see all of the course and therefore managing plans correctly is very important. The course also needs to be able to test the riders – they are the best in the world and therefore finding this balance is key to producing exciting competitions. 

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

I think course is very classic – the double with a ‘Liverpool’ will once again be used in the course. Itwas used at the CHIO Aachen and at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament – I think it will be a very tricky combination to jump, it will be situated right by the lake. This is a new placement for the fence and so we will see how it jumps, however I think the more experience riders, such as those who competed in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final will be okay, but it will still test their technical ability. 

How did you become a course designer? 

I start designing courses at the national level, over time I built up my reputation and started designingsome top level national courses including the Swiss Grand Prix. When I started designing international courses, I was initially working as an assistant. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to work with some incredible designers including, Rolf Lüdi, who at the time was one of the bestdesigners in Europe.

Later on in my career, I started working with Frank Rothenberger and Louis Konickx. Louis is actually my assistant here this week – he has played a huge role in my career and I am incredibly grateful for his help. It is great to have someone else’s opinion on the courses, as it supports your ideas and helps make them become a reality. 

There are exams that course designers have to take in order to be a top designer, but I think the real learning comes from working as an assistant to an established designer – you use the theories that you have learnt, and experience them first hand. 

There are a number of young course designers who want to help at the CHI Geneva, and each year we select one or two to assist us – we provide the opportunity for them to gain experience at one of the best shows in the world. I was given chances like this in my career, and so I think it is incredibly important to do the same. This year we have two young and exciting designers from Switzerland joining us to learn about our processes. This is my ninth year as a course designer at the show, and it is great to have some younger designers with new ideas helping me. 

Which course are you most proud of? 

In my opinion, the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva in 2021 was the best course I ever designed. The riders all praised the course, and the competition was incredible – this year I have really studied that course, and examined any aspects that I want to include. 

What are your passions away from course designing?

At the moment, I do not have many hobbies aside from course designing. I spend a lot of my time working at the breeding centre that my wife and I have. Last week, I became a grandfather for the first time which is very exciting and I am sure this will take up more of my time. 

How has the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping benefitted the sport of show jumping? 

I believe that the sport has truly benefited from the creation of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – it encompasses the best shows in the world and the level of competition is so high. The sport is constantly developing, and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping really motivates riders to continue to push themselves to be the best and win a Major. It also opens doors to the riders, and ensures that the younger generations are provided with the opportunity to compete at some of the best competitions the world. 

Could you introduce yourself and tell us your role.

My name is Emma Uusi-Simola, and I am Steve Guerdat’s show groom.

Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy won the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final on Friday, could you tell us how you feel?

Venard [De Cerisy] is my favourite horse, and so this win was extra special for me. I knew that they could do it, but you never quite know in this sport whether it will actually happen. They were incredible. After a few years that have not gone quite as well as we would have liked, winning this prestigious class to finish an incredible year is just amazing.

Venard de Cerisy and Dynamix de Belheme are such incredible horses – could you tell us a little bit more about them?

Venard is a very shy horse. He likes to know the people that are around him, and sometimes this can make him a little bit harder to look after, but he is just such an incredible jumper. He is my best boy!

Dynamix, has her own personality! She is a star in the ring, and is very easily to look after, but she gets bored very quickly. Steve changes her riding routine quite regularly to keep her happy – she doesn’t want to do the same thing over and over again, but when she is at a competition she is just phenomenal.

What are the facilities like for both yourself as a groom and the horses at the CHI Geneva?

The stables here at the CHI Geneva are great – this year the horses have really big boxes, and so they have plenty of space to relax between classes.

The other day, there was a brunch for the grooms, and that was a great start to our day. The food was wonderful and it was a very nice touch from the organisers.

Everything here is so organised and well thought-out. I have no complaints!

You recently won the Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award – how much did that mean to you?

It feels amazing. I am not sure that I have the right words to express my feelings – but it means a lot to me. I feel like all of the other grooms and the people around me appreciate what I am doing, and the way that I do it, so it is a great feeling to have won that prize.

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?

They are the best shows in the world. For me, I think what truly sets them apart from the other shows in the calendar is that they are so well organised. You also feel like they truly prioritize the horses and the highest level of the sport.

How special it to be part of Steve’s team?

It is so special – I love working with him and the team. He treats the horses so well, and I really like how he thinks that horses should be allowed to be horses. At the stables, we keep everything very simple – it is not overcomplicated, we just try to keep the horses happy and successful. He is also an amazing rider!

As a show groom, you travel a lot. How important is your team at home?

They are crucial to our success. I trust them so much. I never have to worry about the horses at home when I am away, as I know that they will be perfectly looked after. This is really important to me, and to Steve as well.

What is your favourite part of the job?

I love the travelling and being at shows – I do not really like being at home, so this jobs suits me very well! Also, just been around the horses and taking care of them, each horse has their own personality which makes this job very interesting.

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

The best piece of advice that I have been given is to always keep learning. I think that it is incredibly important to watch other people, and learn from them as you can always improve.

How important is the groom’s community?
I do not think that many of the grooms would do this job without the incredible community that we have – it is one of the things that keeps us all going. We all help each other, for example on Friday night after the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final we all helped each other so that we could all leave the stables. Having a community like this is really great.
 

Anticipation was palpable in the air of the Palexpo as the CHI Geneva’s passionate and knowledgeable crowd prepared for the 22nd running of the prestigious Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. The innovative and globally-renowned class, often compared to the Nitto ATP Finals in tennis, saw the world’s top 10 ranked riders compete against each other over two rounds, to be crowned the champion of champions.

It was a truly international field, with the ten riders coming from eight different nations. This stellar list of athletes included last year’s winner of the class and World No.1, Henrik von Eckermann, the current live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Martin Fuchs, as well as the individual Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher. Prior to the competition, the crowd was treated to the traditional parade of riders, which only added to the excitement and sensational atmosphere of the main arena.

With both rounds counting and faults accumulating, pressure was on riders from the moment that they cantered into the ring. In the opening round, riders went in reverse order of ranking meaning that it was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, a newcomer in the class, who was first to tackle the 1.60m course. Sweetnam produced a foot-perfect round to set the standard for the nine remaining riders. A number of riders struggled to match this, with favourites such as Simon Delestre having eight faults and both Harrie Smolders and Max Kühner accruing twelve faults. Julien Epaillard kept himself in contention with a typically fast round with only one fence falling.

However, the Palexpo then rumbled awake as Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy produced the second clear of the class – a result that was unfortunately not shared by his fellow Rolex Testimonees, Martin Fuchs and Kent Farrington. Ben Maher was another favourite unable to master the course, whilst last to go in the first round, Henrik von Eckermann showed all of his talent to keep hopes of a back-to-back win alive.

After a course change, riders returned in reverse order of merit from the first half of the competition. Max Kühner, first in, produced a faultless round, as did the four following riders, but faults carried forward from round one kept them out of the top spots. Kent Farrington and Greya, on four faults, were yet another clear, while Julien Epaillard, the only other rider on four faults, and often considered to be the fastest rider in the world, was the first to accrue faults over this shortened course.

All eyes were then on the final three, who entered the arena with zero penalties from the first round. First of the three clears, Guerdat, was lucky over the double combination but came home clear in a time of 48.13 seconds. Henrik von Eckermann was next in, but it wasn’t meant to be for the World Champion, when he got too close to fence 13 and accrued four faults. The only man who could prevent the home favourite from victory was first-timer Sweetnam, but two fences fell, and the Swiss rider claimed the class for the third time.

Speaking on his win, Guerdat stated: “I am very excited – it is unbelievable to win this incredible class for the third time! It is truly extraordinary. I have had so much success at this amazing show – but it keeps surprising me! The crowd was amazing and the atmosphere at the CHI Geneva is exceptional, this moment means so much to me.”

The Swiss rider continued: “Venard was incredible – he has been such a great horse for me and I am so proud of him. This win would not be possible without my team – they really deserve this win as much as me!”

The beautiful city of Geneva once again welcomed the world’s most talented horse and rider combinations to what is often considered to be the best indoor equestrian show in the world, the CHI Geneva. The show, which hosts the final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year began yesterday, with today, signalling the first day of international 5* competition.

In total, 48 combinations started in the feature class of the day, the coveted 1.60m Trophée De Genève. The competition also provided the first chance for riders to secure their place in the pinnacle event of the show, the Rolex Grand Prix. As is often the case at the CHI Geneva, the field was truly star-studded and included the current Olympic, World, and European individual Champions of Ben Maher, Henrik von Eckermann, and Steve Guerdat.

First to canter into the Palexpo’s iconic Geneva Arena was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam riding the chestnut gelding, Cjoxx Z. The duo produced a faultless jumping round, however, picked up an agonising time fault. It was fourth to go, the in-form Vitor Bettendorf, winner of two of today’s classes, who produced the first clear round – next to jump, Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer secured a jump-off after a super performance much to the delight of the home crowd. At the halfway point there were eight clear rounds, with faults coming throughout the masterfully designed course.

After a short break, the crowd was treated to another seven clear rounds and some exceptional levels of horsemanship from riders including Kent Farrington, who triumphed in this class two years ago, Germany’s Christian Kukuk, and Switzerland’s Elian Baumann. However, there was also heartbreak for the Swiss crowds as fan favourites, Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs, the current live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, both finished with faults and did not proceed in the second round.

In total 15 riders graduated to the jump-off after navigating the Gérard Lachat-designed course fault-free, and entered the arena in the same order as the first round. It was first in, Luxemburg’s Bettendorf who set the standard with a clear in the time of 38.63 seconds, however, the lead changed a number of times in what was an exceptional jump-off. World Under-25 No.1 Harry Charles looked like he may claim his first victory at this year’s edition of the CHI Geneva with a time of 37.08 seconds, however fellow Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington, set the crowd alight and crossed the finish 2.31 seconds faster than Charles. The remaining five horses that followed could not set the pace matched by the American and his exceptional mare, Toulayna, and he took home the Trophée De Genève for the second time in three years.

Thrilled with his nine-year-old bay mare’s performance, Farrington commented: “I am really excited about my horse – I bought two young ones here with me this week –  they are developing so well and so I am thrilled with her performance. My tactic in the jump-off was to try to win – I wanted to give my horse a good experience – but it is one of the biggest shows in the world, so I came to compete.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix, the American rider followed on: “I am excited after tonight, but tomorrow is a new day and there is still a long way to go – but I am really looking forward to it.”

Toulayna’s groom Denise Moriarty continued: “I am so proud, she is always game – she does whatever we ask her to do, and does it extremely well. Even at nine years of age, she is a super reliable horse, and we are very excited about the future. She travelled really well over from America, she is very relaxed in general apart from when she is in the ring.”

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

Everything has been going well. Work for the show began in February, when we starting thinking about the sporting schedule and the communications plans. We are delighted to be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping this year, and we have an excellent list of riders who are competing at the show – we are very excited to welcome our fans back to the CHI Geneva.

Is there anything new that the CHI Geneva 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 organised a ceremony on Saturday evening at 21.00 in the main arena to honour Steve Guerdat. He has competed in all of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors, and so we wanted to recognise his incredible achievement. We will also celebrate the grooms – we are hosting a brunch for them for the first time. They are such an imperative part of the sport, and so we felt it was important to thank them for all of their hard work. Finally, we will have some smaller activities that will mark the 10 year anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

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

They are spirit and soul of the show – they truly make the show unique. They are so passionate, and they add this into the show. They are incredible, and they give a lot – we are very thankful for them.

The CHI Geneva places a lot of emphasis on young riders – why is this something that you focus on year on year?

This is incredibly important for us – they are the stars of tomorrow. We like to give them the chance to compete in the same arena as the most talented riders in the world. Hosting young rider classes is part of the fabric of the show and we think it is crucial to provide opportunities for young riders.

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

It has had a huge impact – it takes the four shows that are involved to the next level. Having a Grand Slam in our sport is very important, and it is something that the CHI Geneva is honoured to be part of. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has increased the visibility and understanding of our sport for those who are not fully aware of equestrianism. For people who don’t know about show jumping, it can be difficult for them to understand it completely, it can be complex, but the Rolex Grand Slam makes it simple – you have four Majors and these are ones that everyone wants to win.

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

It is so difficult to select one memory as there have been so many – I would say for me, it would be Steve’s [Guerdat] victory here at the CHI Geneva in 2013. It was the first Major that we ever organised, and it was incredible to see a Swiss rider win.

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

You need to really understand the sport that you want to work in – for example, I would find it harder to organise a football event as opposed to an equestrian event as I don’t know as much about it. If you organise a music concert or a sporting event – you can’t be afraid of how many hours you will work.

In addition, it is also important to have good relationship with external influencers, such as politicians or the state, for example for the CHI Geneva, it is vital to have a relationship with the state of Geneva. You also need to understand finances, be a good multi-tasker and flexible – you will do something different every single day. Finally, you must be able to manage your stress, sometimes you will be in a difficult situation and you have to be able to keep calm.

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

Overall it is a mix between, fans, media and sponsors. I think you need to create a community for your fans and volunteers to be part of – it is important to create something strong with the people who love you.

Of course, you must have a very good relationship with the sponsors – without them you cannot organise a show. Having a very close relationship with them, and being able to be flexible and adaptive to what they want is very important in running a successful show. You can’t work in a ‘closed box’, you have to be able to work beyond a set boundary to find a solution with your partners – the world changes every day and so you have to aware of this.

You also need to be close to the athletes – they are a vital part of the show. It is a mix of all of this – you need to have all of these elements balanced to run a successful show.

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

It is very important for the sponsors – they want to have the best. It is also vital for our communications, if you want to sell tickets, having the best athletes in the world competing at your show is crucial, as the fans want to come to see the best. If you don’t have the best riders, it isn’t catastrophic, but it is better to have the crème de la crème for the image of the show – it gives credibility to the show. It is also great for attracting volunteers as they are proud to be part of a show that welcomes the best.

The CHI Geneva, is often considered to be the leading indoor equestrian venue, how do you ensure that you continue to innovate and adapt to ensure you maintain this status?

It is not easy – there are a lot of incredible shows across the world. To try and keep the CHI Geneva at the top level, we reflect each year and look at what we did well or what could have been done better. Year after the year we organise a debriefing session with the show’s partners and the whole team to be critical about the show and how we can improve.

A number of our organising committee are volunteers, and so therefore there is a lot of passion, and when you have passion you are more motivated. Our organising committee are so proud of our show – we listen to what the people say and we are very open to the critics – we just want to offer the very best. We are not afraid to make changes and adapt. There is passion in our veins – maybe this one of the explanations as to why the CHI Geneva is so successful.

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

It is very important to attend other show jumping shows, but also different sporting events. You need to do what the others do – it could be a festival, or a football event or a music event – you always have to learn.

If you go to an event you get ideas that would transfer into your own sport. I try to go to other shows – maybe I could go to a few more, but when I do go I try to talk to the organisers, and go backstage, as well as speak to a wider selection of people in the team, anyone from ticketing to communications to security. I took the idea for our security from a festival in Switzerland, and our ticketing system came from a music event I attended. You can also get ideas from watching sports on TV.

It is important for us to be open, and think what would work best for the CHI Geneva, sometimes something will work for any event in Germany but it will not work in Switzerland because you don’t have the same culture. It is important to travel, observe and be open to change.

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

My name is Lovisa Munter and I have worked for Bertram Allen for the past three years as his travelling groom.

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

We were in La Coruña, Spain last week competing. We made a stop in France on the way here to give both the horses and myself a bit of a break. We arrived here at the CHI Geneva on Tuesday night.

If there is a horse that doesn’t like to travel, what can you do to help it and how do you ensure that your horses travel well so they can continue to perform at their peak?

Both of Bertram’s horses travel very well – they are very experienced, especially Pacino Amiro. They had a 12 hour break from travelling on our trip to the CHI Geneva, to allow them to rest. Whilst travelling, it is extremely important that we maintain the horses normal feeding times, and try to keep everything as ‘normal’ as possible, so we will stop the lorry throughout the journey to give them their mash and food. They also have hay nets and water buckets in their area of the lorry. I mostly travel with only two horses in one lorry for the longer journeys, so they have a lot of space – they travel really well.

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

It is extremely important. We are very lucky as we have a great team. We have a fantastic vet – I call him every week to talk about the horses. Bertram, also has an unbelievable farrier – I have never had a problem with any of horses feet.

At home, we have a flat rider called Nathalie and she is the main rider of Pacino [Amiro] and for all of Bertram’s good horses. She does a fantastic job. Kate, the groom at home, is someone that is very reliable, and she is the person that I always call for advice.

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

Pacino Amiro, Bertram’s top horse – he is incredible! We have done so much together, actually last week it was my 50^th show with him. He is a very funny character; he knows that he is the boss of the stable. He can be very demanding, and headstrong; you cannot really tell him things, he does what he wants.

The other horse that we have here is Castigo De Amor. He is new, we have only had him for a couple of months, but he has already won two Grands Prix. He is a stallion but he is the sweetest – we refer to him as a ‘little unicorn’. I never have a problem with him.

What are the facilities like for both yourself as a groom and the horses at the CHI Geneva?

It is my third time attending the CHI Geneva, and it is one of the best shows in the world. Everyone says it and it is very true. When you arrive here, you have the CHI Geneva team help you to unpack and muck out. The boxes for the horses are spacious and quiet – everything is just perfect.

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?

The four Majors are considered to be the best shows in the world. Whilst growing up, I would dream to ride at the shows but it is extremely special to attend them as a groom. The facilities for the horses are perfect and the atmosphere at them is so special.

This year, I went to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament for the first time and it was just amazing. I have also been to the CHIO Aachen – and it is a phenomenal venue! These Majors are the four shows that all riders dream of winning. 

Are you and Bertram feeling confident ahead of this week?

Yes, we are confident – Bertram is in good form. He jumped in the 5* classes at La Coruña last week as preparation for the CHI Geneva. He jumped well but not perfectly so will hopefully do so this week. He usually performs well at the important Majors – he is great under pressure.

How special it to be part of Bertram’s team?

It is so special; it has been a dream come true to work with a rider like him. I always enjoyed watching Bertram riding, he is one of the fastest riders in the world, and a very good horse man. I feel incredibly proud to be working with him and his horses.

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

It is incredible how Bertram can ride any horse and they will fight and jump for him. He has a talent that many riders do not have.

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

When I started out, I was working in Switzerland and attending only the national shows. The best learning experience I had was working at the Stephex Stables. I was a part of a bigger team, and worked with a number of experienced riders and grooms. It was a great opportunity to observe and learn from everyone. A major factor in being successful is to be patient in finding a good job once you have gained the experience.

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

It is very important to have a community of grooms and friends to help out – a lot of my closest friends are here this week. The support means that we help each other out. During the long night drives, we all tend to call each other which is great. I consider them as my second family – we see each other more than our actual families.

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.

To download pictures : Click Here

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.