From 12-21 July 2019, visitors from all over the world will once again travel to Germany to witness one of the most prestigious equestrian events of the year, CHIO Aachen. The nine-day event will play host to the second Major of the year, the Rolex Grand Prix, in which the world’s top equestrian athletes will go head-to-head, as they each contend for the highly sought-after victory.

The world’s greatest horse-and-rider combinations will be vying for one of show jumping’s most prestigious titles, the Rolex Grand Prix. With many of the world’s top 20-ranked riders set to compete, the field looks wide open; however, following strong recent performances on the outdoor circuit, there are notable partnerships that could claim the Rolex Major win:

Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and his impressive Toveks Mary Lou have demonstrated outstanding consistency, having recently won the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show. The infamously quick duo flew through a faultless jump-off, defeating 15 of the world’s top 20-ranked riders. With the outdoor show jumping season well and truly underway, von Eckermann shows no sign of decelerating and has high hopes of continuing his Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping journey.

Daniel Bluman made history at CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, becoming Israel’s first ever rider to claim victory at this prestigious event, after winning the Rolex Grand Prix. The complicated course saw only four of the 44 combinations go clear in the first round, with Bluman and his 11-year-old gelding, Ladriano Z proving unbeatable after going clear in the jump-off. The 29-year-old rider has his sights set on his next victory and will pull out all the stops to secure his first Rolex Major title.

Rolex Testimonee and show jumping hero, Eric Lamaze has displayed remarkable determination this season. Lamaze won the PwC Cup at last month’s ‘National’ CSI5* presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows, in which he and his mare, Fine Lady 5 won an electrifying jump-off. Just two days prior, Lamaze won the RBC Grand Prix of Canada presented by Rolex with his 13-year-old gelding, Chacco Kid. After his recent successes the unstoppable 51-year-old rider will do everything in his power to lift the coveted trophy at CHIO Aachen.

Legendary Swiss rider and Rolex Testimonee, Steve Guerdat has also been on fine form this season having tasted recent success in Calgary, Canada. Aboard his young mare, Albfuehren's Bianca, the Swiss rider finished runner-up to Lamaze in the RBC Grand Prix of Canada presented by Rolex. The current world number one-ranked rider and his 16-year-old gelding, Venard de Ceris then went on to win the ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix. Guerdat, who was second in the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters 2019, will be hoping to go one further in Aachen to claim his first Rolex Major of the calendar year.

Following an impressive win with Balou du Reventon in the Rolex Grand Prix at Knokke Hippique in Belgium, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny is another rider to watch. It wasn’t an easy win for the Irishman, as the complicated course, designed by Uliano Vezzani, saw only six of the 47 combinations qualify for the jump-off in the 1.60 metre competition. Kenny and his 13-year-old stallion proved unbeatable and, having tasted recent victory, he will travel to CHIO Aachen with high hopes of continuing his success.

How did you get into horse riding?

I was born on a farm and my whole family rides. I grew up constantly being around horses, so for me there was no other path and I never wanted to do anything else. I think I started riding when I was three or four-years-old and could almost ride before I could even walk!

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?

An amazing moment in my career so far was in 2017, when I won a silver medal in the individual class at the FEI European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors, Children. It was my first year competing at the Young Rider Championships and my horse was just eight-years-old. I don’t think anybody expected us to do so well!

What are you most looking forward to about competing at CHIO Aachen?

I competed at CHIO Aachen last year, so I know the feeling you get when riding into the arena. The atmosphere is amazing, you really can’t describe it. To be around and watch the 5* riders who attend is both inspiring and motivating. Seeing how they prepare for this show and compete is a huge learning experience for young riders like myself. For me, Aachen is the best show in the world and I think everyone involved feels like there is something special about this show. I am so excited to compete there once again!

Which horses are you taking? Can you tell us a bit about them?  

I am taking Light Star, a 10-year-old stallion by Light On. I also rode him last year and he’s my best horse at the moment. I know that he is always happy to compete at Aachen and he jumped amazingly last year. He always makes me feel confident when we enter the arena. 

What are your thoughts on the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

To be able to compete in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is every rider’s dream, and to able you win it would make you the happiest person on earth!

What is the one competition you want to win the most?

I think it would have to be the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen. Once you’ve won, no one will forget you as a rider. It’s the most special and prestigious competition.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

I don’t really have one thing or one person who is my inspiration. I think it’s the team work between the horse and rider that inspires me the most. You and the horse are never perfect, but you are continuously learning from one another. I always want to be the best I can be, and I always love learning new things from my horses, as well.

Which riders do you idolise the most?

My father (René Tebbel), because he is the best trainer and rider in my eyes. He rode at both the Olympics and at the FEI World Equestrian Games™. He is such an inspiring trainer and rider and I try to learn as much from him as I can. The end goal is to be as good a rider as he is!

How much fitness do you have to do to be in peak condition?

Recently I have had to train a lot more due to my back injury. I couldn’t do anything for six weeks but now I am back to riding and training every day. I am also working with a physio two or three times a week, which is important for my recovery.

What does your daily routine look like? 

My daily routine changes and I don’t really have one thing that I do every single day. The most important thing to me is that my horse is perfectly prepared. When I’m at a show, I like to watch old videos of me riding to see what I did well and what needs improving. Watching past competitions helps me feel more confident before entering the arena.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

To never give up has been important advice for me, especially recently. When you are at the bottom, there is always something to get you back on top. You can never be perfect, but you can always learn and do better. To me, that’s the most important thing to remember.

Rolex Grand Slam & Young Riders

An integral part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is to target the fostering and development of young talent. Two young, exceptionally gifted riders from a young Riders Academy are invited to each of the four Rolex Grand Slam shows, where they gain invaluable experience at the very pinnacle of equestrian sport.

Three out of the four Majors, which make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are staunch advocates of developing young, aspiring equestrian athletes. A national young riders class – the German U25 Trophy of the Stiftung Deutscher Spitzenpferdesport, Prize of Family Müter – features on CHIO Aachen’s competition programme each year; as part of its Summer Series, CSIO Spruce Meadows hosts the Alberta Power U25 Challenge, which consists of multiple U25 competitions; while a CSI U25 competition will be staged for the first time at this year’s edition of the CHI Geneva.

Which horses has the team entered to take part in CHIO Aachen 2019?

This year we have entered Toveks Mary Lou and Forever. Henrik will also be bringing Janika Sprunger’s youngster, Little Magic d’Asschaut. We are thrilled to be returning to Germany for CHIO Aachen!

In your eyes, what makes CHIO Aachen such a special event?

The entirety of the show is incredible. Henrik has always said that the feeling the riders get when they enter that ring is like no other. I think there is something very special about being at Aachen, and every rider and every groom wants to attend. The show is always very busy and is a lot of hard work but it’s always worth it.

Does the team feel extra pressure now that Henrik is the Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender?

Yes, of course. The pressure is there but we are all very excited to see him continue his Rolex Grand Slam journey and see how this season will end. Henrik also definitely feels the extra pressure; you can really sense it around the stables now that Aachen is around the corner.

How have you been preparing the horses for the competition?

We try to keep the horses’ schedules as normal and regular as we can. We want them to be as fit as possible, so Henrik rides each of the horses every day and then in the afternoons they go hacking for a few hours. The most important thing is that we keep the horses safe and happy. They absolutely love hacking out in the forest and riding in big open spaces, it keeps them very calm and relaxed.

What is your daily routine at Henrik’s yard?

We start each day at 6.30am by cleaning the stables and riding then begins at 8.00am. Each horse is ridden twice, once in the morning and then a hack in the afternoon. The horses then go to field for the rest of the day. Right now, Henrik is riding each horse every day leading up to Aachen.

Why did you decide to become a groom?

I’ve always loved horses and I really do love the sport. I think you really need to love the sport to be in this job, it’s a huge responsibility and it’s really my whole life. Four and half years ago I started working for Henrik and I am still here. Henrik is the best to work for and he really cares about the horses – he would do anything to keep them safe and happy, which makes our job a lot easier!

Do you get nervous watching Henrik in the ring?

Oh yes, of course. Sometimes I can’t even watch him during a jump-off because I am so anxious! We were so nervous at The Dutch Masters when Henrik finished his second round. We wanted to be excited and were very happy with how Mary Lou jumped, but there were still a few people behind Henrik and we were all just praying that he wouldn’t come second once again in a Rolex Major [von Eckermann and Toveks Mary Lou finished in second place behind Rolex Testimonee, Kent Farrington in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva 2017].

What is Mary Lou like in the stable?

She loves to be around people! She is always the first horse to come out of the yard in the morning and if you’re late she gets very restless and will make sure you know about it!  She knows that she is one of the best horses in the stable and she’s also a bit spoilt! But she deserves special treatment, she is such an incredible horse. 

What is your favourite part of the job?

Without doubt being around the horses. When you see them succeeding and progressing, it is the most rewarding feeling in the world and I just love being a part of it all.

If you could have worked with any past legendary horse which one would you choose? 

I would have to say Steve Guerdat’s mare, Albführen’s Bianca – she’s so lovely and seems to be really stealing the show right now!

What’s the best advice you could give to someone wanting a career as a groom?

You really need to love the horses and the sport – it’s a huge commitment and you need to be ready to dedicate everything. It takes a lot, but it gives even more and if you are ready for that then you’ll be great!