Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping[1] is an initiative which unites the four Major tournaments:[2]

  • The World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, Germany (Stadium, footing: grass)
  • The CSIO Spruce Meadows “Masters” in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Stadium, footing: grass)
  • The CHI Geneva in Switzerland (Indoor arena, footing: sand)
  • The Dutch Masters in 's-Hertogenbosch in Netherlands (Indoor arena, footing: sand) (as of 2018)

In order to win the Grand Slam, a rider has to win the Grand Prix at the four shows in direct succession.[3] On 13 September 2015, Scott Brash became 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 four 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.

In 2018, The Dutch Masters of Den Bosch (NED) becomes the fourth Grand Slam event.

Rolex is the founding and title sponsor of the Grand Slam.

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. The announcement regarding the addition of the Dutch Masters was done in Den Bosch on March 12, 2017.

Young talent

Two young riders are invited to each of the four Majors.

Steering Committee

The Steering committee is composed of the organisers of the four Majors of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The actual president of the Steering Committee is Linda Southern-Heathcott from Spruce Meadows

The four Majors of the Grand Slam

The CHIO Aachen, Germany
The Arena of the CHIO Aachen

Key Facts
Date of the eventSeptember 10-19, 2021
Foundation year1898
Spectators350'001
FootingGrass, outdoor arena
Number of journalists600
Total prize-money€2.73 mil.

The CSIO Spruce Meadows “Masters” in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The complex of the Spruce Meadows Masters

Key Facts
Date of the eventSeptember 9–12, 2021
Foundation year1976
Spectators500,000 per year, 200,000 per “Masters”
FootingGrass, outdoor arena
Number of journalists400
Total prize-money4.31 mil. Canadian Dollars

The CHI Geneva, Switzerland

Founded in 1926. 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 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
Date of the eventDecember 9–12, 2021
Foundation year1926
Spectators42’000
FootingSand, indoor arena
Number of journalists220
Total prize-money2.4 mil. euros

The Dutch Masters in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

The Dutch Masters is the most important show in Netherlands. In 1994, the World Cup Final of show jumping was staged in Den Bosch for the first time, in 2012 the Dutch Masters, indeed hosted the Finals for both dressage and jumping. Every year, 65,000 visitors attend the traditional show in the heart of the Netherlands which has celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Dutch Masters Den Bosch

Key Facts
Date of the eventApril 23–25, 2021
Foundation year1967
Spectators65'000
FootingSand, indoor
Number of journalists200
Total prize-money1.2 million Euros

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 four Grand Prix in succession), he receives a bonus of 2 million Euros.
  • If a rider wins three Grand Prix in succession, he receives a bonus of 1 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

Spruce Meadows « Masters » Calgary
  • 2013 : Pieter Devos (BEL) and Candy
  • 2014 : Ian Millar (CAN) and Dixson
  • 2015 : Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Sanctos
  • 2016 : Scott Brash (GBR) and Ursula
  • 2017 : Philipp Weishaupt (GER) and L.B. Convall
  • 2018 : Sameh El Dahan (EGY) and Suma's Zorro
  • 2019 : Beezie Madden (USA) and Darry Lou
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

The Dutch Masters

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. Standing 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.[6]

References
  1. Jumping, www.rolexgrandslam.com, Rolex Grand Slam of Show. "Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping". www.rolexgrandslam.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Rules of the Rolex Grand Slam on www.rolexgrandslam.com
  3. Athletes Regulations du Rolex Grand Slam
  4. Jumping, www.rolexgrandslam.com, Rolex Grand Slam of Show. "Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping". www.rolexgrandslam.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Rules of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
  6. Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
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