Geneva (SUI), 28 june 2017 – When the CHIO Aachen welcomes the best riders in the world in July 2017, it is not merely going to be the opening leg of the 2017 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping year, but indeed also mark a further milestone in this ultimate prestigious equestrian sport challenge.
With the announcement of the new Rolex Grand Slam event, The Dutch Masters in `s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, is joining the ranks of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping fixtures. This means, going forward, one Major will be staged in each quarter of the calendar; the CHIO Aachen 2017 from July 14th to 23rd in Germany, followed by the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO in Calgary, Canada, from September 6th to 10th. The year comes to a close with the CHI Geneva from December 7th to 10th in Switzerland. Then the Netherlands take on the role of hosting the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping for the first time at The Dutch Masters from March 15th to 18th, 2018.
Along with the introduction announcement of the new Major, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is now also proud to unveil its new logo. “We created a unique concept in the year 2013, which is still today unparalleled in the world of equestrian sport,” commented Linda Southern-Heathcott, President of the Steering Committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. “The love for our fantastic partner, the horse, the passion for our sport and the respect for tradition are values that have united all of the Majors,” she added. “From the very onset, executing the highest standards again and again is something we all strive for as well as working together in harmony on our further development. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is not only a combination of world-class shows, it is an enthusiastic partnership and now together with our new partner, The Dutch Masters, we are taking the next, exciting step. The new logo symbolically underlines this.”
In spite of all the innovations, the established model of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping remains intact. Three consecutive Major victories still lead to the Grand Slam triumph and a bonus of one million Euros in addition to the prize-money. However, the newly introduced aspect is that by claiming an additional fourth Major victory in succession, a rider can double the Grand Slam bonus up to 2 million Euros.
Two Major victories within a Grand Slam cycle are still rewarded with a bonus of 250,000 Euros or, if they occur at two consecutive legs of the Grand Slam, 500,000 Euros.
The current Grand Slam contender is Pedro Veniss from Brazil. He won the “Rolex Grand Prix” at the CHI Geneva 2016 last December and will be striving to secure his second Major victory in succession at the CHIO Aachen 2017. Former Rolex Grand Slam winner, Scott Brash of Great Britain, also has a chance to pick up a bonus of 250,000 Euros after winning the Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ 2016 last September.
The venue dates of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping:
CHIO Aachen: July 14th-23rd, 2017
Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO: September 6th-10th, 2017
CHI Geneva: December 7th-10th, 2017
The Dutch Masters: March 15th-18th, 2018
Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Press Release
