Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping,^[1] is a unique initiative, which unites the three Major tournaments:^[2]

• The World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, Germany (Stadium, footing: grass)
• The CSIO Spruce Meadows “Masters” in Calgary, Canada (Stadium, footing: grass)
• The CHI Geneva in Switzerland (Indoor arena, footing: sand)

In order to win the Grand Slam, a rider has to win the Grand Prix at the three shows in direct succession.^[3] 13 September 2015, Scott Brash becomes the first rider to ever win the Grand Slam. With Hello Sanctos, he consecutively won the three Majors at the CHI Geneva 2014, the CHIO Aachen 2015 and Spruce Meadows “Masters” Calgary 2015.

Scott Brash is the only rider in the world who won the Grand Slam.

Foundation

The three Majors united

Together with Rolex, the organisers of the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows “Masters” and the CHI Geneva developed the Grand Slam of Show Jumping. It is based on the world-famous tennis and golf Grand Slams – a successful concept that didn’t exist in the field of show jumping hitherto.^[4] although it must be stated that the three equestrian shows have been highly appreciated by the riders for decades because of their unique tradition and excellent quality. Together they unite 250 years of sporting history. They are attended by 900,000 visitors and 1,300 media representatives in total every year, benefit from a huge media presence and an infrastructure of the highest quality.

Presentation to the public and to the media

The Grand Slam of Show Jumping was presented to the public and to the media in Gothenburg, Sweden on April 26, 2013 – accompanied by the remark that there is the option of increasing the number of participating equestrian sport events up to five in total.

Young talent

The targeted fostering of young talent is also a part of the Rolex Grand Slam. Two young riders are invited to each of the three shows – in order to gain experience on the top level of our sport.

The three Majors of the Grand Slam

The CHIO Aachen, Germany

Every year, more than 350,000 visitors travel to the prestigious showgrounds of the Aachen Soers, where the best equestrian sport athletes in the world compete against each other in five disciplines – show jumping, dressage, eventing, four-in-hand driving and vaulting. Worldwide over 400 journalists do coverage on the show, which offers the visitors a unique programme beyond the sporting competitions. The German TV channels, ARD, ZDF and WDR broadcast more than 30 hours of coverage on the competitions of the traditional show that was founded in 1898.

The Arena of the CHIO Aachen

Key Facts

The CSIO Spruce Meadows “Masters” in Calgary, Canada

The site, which is completely owned by the Southern family, is the venue for the most diversified equestrian sport event in the world. From junior level, to the amateur league, through to the elite – Spruce Meadows unites all classes of the equestrian sport in a breath-taking location spanning 225 hectares and offers ideal conditions for 1,000 horses thanks to its seven competition sites and two stadiums. Since 1976, more than 15 top-level show jumping competitions have been staged at Spruce Meadows. When the Spruce Meadows “Masters” begins, the equestrian sport world watches the best show-jumpers on the planet. The world elite compete against each other from Wednesday to Sunday, striving to achieve top placings and international recognition.

The complex of the Spruce Meadows Masters

Key Facts

CHI Geneva, Switzerland

Founded in 1926, the CHI Geneva is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world and the indoor equestrian show with the longest history. Every year the CHI unites the riders of the planet at the Palexpo, which spanning 5,200 m² is the largest indoor arena in the world: Voted the best equestrian sport show worldwide six times, the CHI of Geneva has staged two World Cup Finals (1996 and 2010) and ten Rolex IJRC Top Ten Finals. The “Défi des Champions©“, presented by Rolex, is a further highlight of the event. The organisers of the CHI Geneva also organised Switzerland’s first and only Indoor Cross competition. Some of the biggest names in the eventing sport competed at the premiere in the year 2014. The only Swiss World Cup leg in four-in-hand driving is also staged in Geneva. Every year, 700 motivated and enthusiastic volunteers help at the event, which attracts 41,000 spectators over the four days. More than 220 media representatives are present at the Palexpo, around 30 TV channels from all five continents broadcast coverage of the event.

The huge arena of the CHI Geneva

Key Facts

Financial facts and bonus

The financial framework conditions of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, the Spruce Meadows “Masters“ and the CHI Geneva are impressive.

The overall prize-money of the three Rolex Grand Prix totals more than 3 mil. Euros. Furthermore, there is a chance to win the following bonuses:

– If a rider wins the Grand Slam (victory in all three Grand Prix in succession), he receives a bonus of 1,000,000 million Euros. – If a rider wins two Grand Prix in succession, he receives a bonus of 500,000 Euros. – If a rider wins two Grand Prix in the same cycle (“two out of three mode”), he receives a bonus of 250,000 Euros.

A rider can compete in the Grand Prix with different horses. The rider’s “personal” Grand Slam starts with the first victory, the calendar year is not decisive here. The cycle of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is infinite. A rider has to take part in all three legs of the cycle in order to qualify for a bonus.^[5]

The winners of the Grand Slam competitions so far

Christian Ahlmann and Codex One, winner of the CHIO Aachen 2014

CHIO Aachen

• 2013 : Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star
• 2014 : Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Codex One
• 2015 : Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Sanctos

Spruce Meadows « Masters » Calgary

• 2013 : Pieter Devos (BEL) and Candy
• 2014 : Ian Millar (CAN) and Dixson
• 2015 : Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Sanctos

Ian Millar and Dixson, Spruce Meadows "Masters" 2014

The olympic champion 2012 Steve Guerdat winner of the Grand Slam 2013 in Geneva with Nino des Buissonnets

CHI Geneva

• 2013 : Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Nino des Buissonnets
• 2014 : Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Sanctos
• 2015 : Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Nino des Buissonnets

The trophy of the Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The trophy of the Rolex Grand Slam, a cup made out of sterling silver with double scrolled handles was designed by the famous London jewellers Garrard that was founded in 1735. It stands on a silver plinth. A delicate ribbed spiral stem curves around the middle section moving up towards a tulip-shaped vessel with a lid. The overall height of the trophy is 45 cm and it weighs 2 kilogrammes. The front of the trophy is decorated with the logo of the Rolex Grand Slam, which was hand engraved. The trophy was designed by Corinna Pike, designer of the royal crown jewels. Her aim was to incorporate curved forms inspired by the natural world and achieve the highest degree of harmony in design. Garrard is the oldest jewellers in the world and is renowned as a jeweller who serves royalty. As well as designing jewellery for governments and royalty around the globe, Garrard hat also created trophies for a number of world-class sporting events – such as the Rolex Grand Slam.^[6]

Rolex and the equestrian sport

As the most famous partner of the equestrian sport for over half a century, Rolex is proud to be part of this historic initiative and to promote top performances in the equestrian sport even more intensively. Rolex has actively been supporting the equestrian sport for years, particularly the three Major shows, which together form the Grand Slam. This is why the organisers invited the Swiss brand to become the exclusive partner.^[7]

References