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!