The picture enclosed shows (from left to right) Linda Southern-Heathcott, President of the Steering Committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Scott Brash, first rider ever to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Anky van Grunsven, President of Indoor Brabant, Marcel Hunze, Event Director of Indoor Brabant, and the reigning double World and European Champion Jeroen Dubbeldam at the official announcement at Indoor Brabant 2017.(picture: Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping/Kit Houghton).
In 2018 the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will welcome The Dutch Masters as the fourth Major in equestrian sport. Established in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) in 1967, and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, The Dutch Masters will join CHIO Aachen (Germany), CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ (Canada) and CHI Geneva (Switzerland) in the ranks of long-standing traditional Major shows.
“We couldn’t wish for a better partner,” said an enthused Linda Southern-Heathcott, President of the Steering Committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. “What has always united all the Majors is the passion for the sport, the love for horses and a long tradition of the highest standard. Therefore, The Dutch Masters is a perfect addition to the Rolex Grand Slam; it offers an outstanding infrastructure, has had a long history and attracts the best riders in the world every year.”
The addition of a fourth Major to the Rolex Grand Slam will bring an exciting new dimension for the world’s elite showjumpers. Any rider who replicates Scott Brash’s phenomenal achievement in 2015 and wins three Majors consecutively, will win the Rolex Grand Slam and a bonus of €1 million. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1 million bonus. The bonus is on top of the prize money that they win at each event.
Regardless of the calendar year, the cycle begins for each rider with their first Major victory. A bonus of €500,000 is also available to any rider who wins two successive Grands Prix in any order. Additionally, a rider who wins two Grands Prix in a period of four successive Majors, will receive a bonus of €250,000.
The four equestrian Majors that make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping all have a long-standing heritage in the sport and share a unique partnership with Rolex, who is also celebrating its 60th anniversary in equestrianism in 2017.
Anky van Grunsven, President of The Dutch Masters said, “Rolex has already done so much for our sport and our long-term partnership with the brand is a privilege on its own. However, to now become part of the Rolex Grand Slam, announced in the 50th anniversary year of The Dutch Masters, is a very special gift for us, the show organizers.”
Jeroen Dubbeldam, the reigning double World and European Champion added. “The two best outdoor and the two best indoor shows in the world are now combined with each other, and will allow the riders to prepare our horses strategically for the Rolex Grand Slam campaign. Naturally, coming from The Netherlands, I am also delighted that The Dutch Masters has become one of the Majors and look forward to competing for the Grand Slam title in my own country next year.”
Having won the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in December, the Brazilian rider, Pedro Veniss, is the current ‘live contender’ for the Rolex Grand Slam and will be travelling to CHIO Aachen in July to challenge for a second successive stage win.
Dates of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping:
CHIO Aachen: 14-23 July 2017
Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’: 6-10 September 2017
CHI Geneva: 7-10 December 2017
The Dutch Masters: 15-18 March 2018