A victory in the "CN International presented by Rolex" at the legendary CSIO5* Spruce Meadows 'Masters' is one of the top achievements in international equestrian sport. With his triumph on Sunday at the famous showgrounds at the foot of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Pieter Devos (Belgium) not only joined the ranks of famous winners, the 27-year-old also has the opportunity to be the first athlete to win the ultimate challenge of the equestrian sport: the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. "It is incredible that I now have the chance to win the Rolex Grand Slam, simply unbelievable, it is a dream come true," commented Devos.
 

Because, only the show-jumper, who manages to ride to victory at the 'Masters', at the CHI Geneva and in the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen within one year, wins the Rolex Grand Slam –and will become a sporting legend. Hence, Devos' own personal Rolex Grand Slam started on Sunday in Spruce Meadows, even if he didn't want to touch the Grand Slam trophy: "No way, that brings bad luck."

Pieter Devos rode to victory in Canada in front of several tens of thousands of spectators in a thrilling competition, ahead of the Olympic gold medallist Steve Guerdat from Switzerland and the French show-jumper, Penelope Leprevost. Devos was the only rider to jump clear in the final round comprising of the best twelve riders. He crossed the finish line with his horse "Candy" just one thousandths of a second within the allowed time. Christian Ahlmann from Germany came fourth, ahead of his fellow compatriot, Patrick Stühlmeyer.
 

The rider, who succeeds in winning all three shows in succession, picks up a bonus of one million Euros in addition to the prize-money. There is also a bonus for anyone who wins two out of three shows. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus amounts to 500,000 Euros. If the rider claims two out of three victories, but not at consecutive shows, the bonus totals 250,000 Euros –provided in each case that the rider has competed at all three shows. At the CHI in Geneva from December 12th-15th, we will already see if, after his victory in Canada, Devos pursues his chance of mastering the biggest challenge in international equestrian sport - the victory in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.