Gothenburg, 26 April 2013 – Three of the world’s greatest equestrian shows – the CHIO Aachen, the  CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva – have joined forces to create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the  Grand  Prix at each show in succession. The winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be rewarded with a €1 million bonus prize.
 

Each of the three prestigious and historic equestrian shows in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has a long tradition of sporting excellence.
 

This  joint  creation by  the  three shows has  been devised as  a  means to  set  the ultimate equestrian challenge; as a long-term partner to Aachen, Spruce Meadows and Geneva, Rolex quickly appreciated the significance of the Grand Slam and is honoured to become the exclusive partner.
 

Eric Lamaze, the only rider to have won the Grand Prix at each  of the three shows on the same horse, said: “There are many great  events on the Show Jumping calendar, but the three Grands Prix that  comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are without doubt  the ones which the riders all want  to win during their careers.
 

Winning even  one leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show  Jumping is an incredible  and career-changing achievement; to win all three in a 12-month period  would  create a legend of the sport  overnight.”
 

Commenting on  the  title  sponsorship, Arnaud  Boetsch, Communication & Image Director  of  Rolex  SA,  said:  “Throughout our  history,   Rolex  has  been driven  by tradition  and  excellence, so when the  three shows approached us with the  idea  of the  Grand Slam of Show  Jumping, we  quickly appreciated its global resonance and degree of difficulty, which would make  it achievable by only the very best horse-and-rider partnerships. As a long-term partner of these three shows, we  were delighted to add our support to create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”
 

Michael  Mronz,  President of the  Steering Committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping for 2013, said: “The three shows that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping not only have a natural synergy, but also a mutual  respect for each other’s remarkable achievements and history. The collective  desire and vision of all three shows to combine and form a pioneerin concept such as the  Grand Slam of Show Jumping seemed like the natural thing to do." 
 

“Due to their long-standing commitment to equestrian sport, Rolex was at  the forefront of all three shows’ minds  as a potential partner to the Grand Slam of Show Jumping, and we were all delighted when they accepted our invitation to develop it.”
 

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will become the riders’ ultimate achievement, setting a new standard for the sport  worldwide.