Just as the greatest tennis players must master every surface – from the hard courts of Melbourne and New York, to the clay of Roland-Garros, and the grass of Wimbledon – the elite athletes of show jumping must prove themselves across a variety of venues in pursuit of the sport’s most coveted prize: the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Following the tight, technical indoor arena of The Dutch Masters, attention now turns to the grandeur and scale of the CHIO Aachen. The second Major of the calendar year offers a different challenge, demanding power, scope, precision, and nerve across its expansive grass arena. For all riders travelling to the Soers, the ultimate goal is to win the Rolex Grand Prix on the final Sunday – the undisputed pinnacle of the show.

Germany, the host nation, will once again be a dominant force and look to retain the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen title claimed last year by André Thieme and DSP Chakaria. As defending champion, Thieme will this time return to Aachen with his up-and-coming Grand Prix horse, Paule S, in pursuit of a second Major title, having described his 2024 win as making “a lifetime dream come true.” German riders have taken the Rolex Grand Prix title at the show for the past four years. Daniel Deusser, the 2021 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen champion and Rolex Testimonee, is a strong favourite once again. Deusser was second in this pinnacle class in 2023 and consistently delivers results on the international circuit. He and Otello de Guldenboom won the most recent Rolex Series Rolex Grand Prix title at Jumping International de La Baule, and the pair will return at Aachen. Fellow German stars include Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Christian Kukuk, Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen 2024 third-place finisher Richard Vogel, and Jana Wargers – a star who will be looking for the chance to claim her first Rolex Major title.

The Swiss challenge will be spearheaded by Rolex Testimonees Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat – both prolific winners on the global stage. Fuchs comes off the back of CSI5* victories at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Rome’s Piazza di Siena, while Guerdat has returned to top form following injury, delivering strong performances in St. Gallen and winning the CSIO5* 1.50m Derby de La Baule. Despite their impressive résumés, neither has yet captured the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen – a fact they will undoubtedly be eager to change this year.

From Great Britain, Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash – the only rider to date to have achieved the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – will lead the way. Brash will arrive in Aachen having had an excellent start to the year. Not only did he place second in the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters, but in 2025 alone the Scotsman already has four CSI5* Grands Prix wins under his belt, and will be looking to secure another on the 10-year anniversary of his outstanding Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping victory. Brash will be joined by his Olympic gold medal winning teammate, World No. 2, Ben Maher, alongside Robert Whitaker, Georgia Tame and Adrian Whiteway, who complete the strong British line-up.

From across the Atlantic, American rider and Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington has taken over the World No.1 position and will bring his top horses, Greya, Toulayna and Myla, to Aachen in pursuit of winning the Rolex Grand Prix at the event for the second time, having won it back in 2019. Also joining Farrington is compatriot and two-time Major winner McLain Ward, as well as Laura Kraut, Lillie Keenan, and Aaron Vale, ensuring the United States is well represented.

Other names to watch out for include Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor, both known for their skill and speed, along with former World No. 1s, Kevin Staut from France and Peder Fredricson from Sweden. Dutchman Willem Greve, already a Major winner following his victory in The Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters in 2024, Israel’s Daniel Bluman, and Rolex Testimonee Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil – who knows what it takes to win the Grand Prix at Aachen having won back in 1994 – add to the international nature of the event.

The Rolex Series – which unites seven of the most respected equestrian shows in the world outside of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – has so far staged three events in 2025. At the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Christian Kukuk secured a standout victory in the Rolex Grand Prix. In Rome’s Piazza di Siena, Brazil’s Yuri Mansur delivered a thrilling Rolex Grand Prix win, and in Jumping International de La Baule, Daniel Deusser triumphed in the class. All three 2025 Rolex Series winners will head to Aachen with the hope of starting their Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping journey with a win in the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday 6 July.

This year’s entries to the CHIO Aachen reflect the truly global nature of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors and with so many of the world’s finest horse-and-rider combinations converging on Aachen, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in the story of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.