Ashley Neuhof / Rolex
In addition to the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex partners several highly esteemed summer Grands Prix. From March through August, the world’s top horse and rider pairs gather at some of the most iconic shows in Europe and North America to compete in these elite events.
The 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival concluded with the Rolex Grand Prix under the floodlights at Wellington International. It was Germany’s Christian Kukuk, making his Wellington debut, who claimed the spoils, starting his campaign towards winning an individual Olympic gold medal in style. Riding his Olympic mount, Checker 47, Kukuk had the advantage of being last to go in a star-studded jump-off, with former Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winner McLain Ward finishing in eventual second, less than a second behind the German.
Set in the private gardens of Windsor Castle – built in the 11th century – the Royal Windsor Horse Show hosted the first Rolex Grand Prix of the European summer season. Course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral crafted a delicate first-round course, presenting subtle challenges that resulted in at least one pole being knocked down at every fence. Despite this, 12 out of the 34-horse field jumped clear, showcasing the high calibre of competitors. The jump-off provided an intense battle against the clock, with Gregory Wathelet riding Bond Jamesbond De Hay and Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat delivering impressive performances, separated by just 0.11 seconds to finish in second and third place respectively. Entering the Rolex Grand Prix as the defending champion, Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs brought only one horse to Royal Windsor, Leone Jei. His faith in the talented gelding paid off, securing back-to-back victories in the class, following his 2023 win with Connor Jei.
The Rolex Grand Prix provided a notable conclusion to the inaugural event of the newly introduced Rolex Series, the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, which took place from 22-26 May. The jump-off featured 13 combinations, and although Sweden’s Petronella Andersson with her 10-year-old mare Odina van Klapscheut produced an excellent round, it was last-to-go America's Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque who ultimately claimed victory, galloping around the course in world-class fashion. This remarkable win made Cook the sixth American rider to capture the Grand Prix title at the 91st anniversary of the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena.
Set on the stunning shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Western France, the Jumping International de La Baule has been a premier destination for distinguished show jumpers and their horses for over 60 years. Often hailed as one of the most picturesque events on the equestrian calendar, leading riders can frequently be seen riding their horses along the beautiful beaches each morning. This exquisite setting provided a perfect backdrop for the second Rolex Series event of the summer. Just two weeks after winning the Rolex Grand Prix at the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque jumped double clear but this time finished in second place in the Rolex Grand Prix, behind compatriots Kent Farrington and Greya, who claimed their first international victory together.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, the Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex, took place at Spruce Meadows, Canada, on Sunday 30 June. The challenging 14-obstacle, 17-effort course, designed by Frenchman Gregory Bodo, co-course designer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, saw only seven horse-and-rider combinations advance to the jump-off. Matthew Sampson, riding Daniel, celebrated his third five-star win of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series. Overcome with emotion, Sampson praised the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion as "one of the most incredible horses" he has ever worked with. America's Elena Haas on Claude, and Kyle King riding Odysseus, finished in second and third place respectively.
The Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard took place on Sunday 21 July at the CSIO Jumping International de Dinard, also part of the Rolex Series, where a technically challenging course saw only six competitors advance to the jump-off. Steve Guerdat set the time to beat in 42.44 seconds, a mark that remained unchallenged by four of the six combinations, despite their best efforts. However, fellow Rolex Testimonee Kevin Staut, riding Beau de Laubry Z, took 1.03 seconds from Guerdat's time to secure the win in front of his home crowd.
This weekend, all eyes turn to the CSIO Dublin Horse Show, where the inaugural Rolex Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 18 August and offer a record prize fund of €500,000. First held in 1934, the Grand Prix of Dublin boasts a rich history, with some of the world's most celebrated riders, including Rolex Testimonees Bertram Allen and Kent Farrington having lifted the prestigious trophy. As one of Ireland’s largest sporting, social, and family events, fans can undoubtedly expect to witness top-quality equestrian sport at the fourth Rolex Series event to take place this summer.