Three of the world’s greatest equestrian shows—the CHIO Aachen (Germany), the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament (Alberta) 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 honored 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,” Lamaze continued.
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Rolex already sponsors the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which rewards the rider who can win the Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley four-star three-day events in a 12-month period. Only Pippa Funnell has achieved the feat, in 2003.
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 pioneering 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.
