Gothenburg, Sweden – April 26, 2013 – Spruce Meadows announced today that it will join with two other iconic venues in the sport and create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Using the occasion of the FEI Rolex World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, representatives from the three leading equestrian venues in the world joined with Rolex to announce and unveil the exciting new concept for international show jumping.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping continues a decade’s long tradition of Rolex to associate itself with some the world’s most iconic sporting venues and events; these include the likes of Wimbledon, Augusta, the Open Championship, Formula One and now Spruce Meadows and the Rolex Grand Slam.
“Spruce Meadows is honoured and excited to have this opportunity,” said Spruce Meadows President, Linda Southern Heathcott, from the announcement in Sweden. “Our association with Rolex spans more than two decades and now to be able to work with such storied venues as CHIO Aachen and CHI Geneva in creating the Rolex Grand Slam introduces an exciting and unique concept to our sport.”
“This has been a fantastic exercise in innovation and cooperation, while also respecting the histories and traditions of each of our events,” she added.
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 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.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will commence in 2013 at the CHIO Aachen in June and continue with the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ hosting the second leg in September, followed by the CHI Geneva in December. The Rolex Grand Slam consists of the long established Grand Prix events at each of the three tournaments.
From L to R: Mr Alban Poudret (CSI Geneva), Mr Steve Guerdat, Mr Ian Allison (CSIO Spruce Meadows), Mrs Sophie Mottu Morel (CSI Geneva), Mr Arnaud Boetsch (Director of Communication and Image Rolex), Mr Eric Lamaze, Mrs Linda Southern Heathcott (CSIO Spruce Meadows), Mr Michael Mronz (CHIO Aachen/President of the Steering Committee for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping), Mrs Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Mr Frank Kemperman (CHIO Aachen/Chairman Managing Board)
© Rolex/Kit Houghton
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the Grand Prix at each show in succession. The rules of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are simple: any rider that wins the Grand Prix at each of the three shows consecutively will receive €1 million bonus on top of the prize-money for each show’s Grand Prix. Moreover, any rider that wins two out of the three shows’ Grands Prix will also receive a bonus.
If the Grands Prix at two shows are won in succession, the bonus will be €500,000. If a rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode,” but does not claim the victories at two consecutive shows’ Grands Prix, the bonus will be €250,000. It is only the rider that counts, not the horse, i.e. it is possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. This system is infinite; it is not limited to a calendar year.
Three wins in a row → €1,000,000
Two wins in a row → €500,000
Two wins out of three (not consecutively) → €250,000
The Grand Prix classes at CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva have never been won consecutively by the same rider over a 12-month period. However, three riders have won all three competitions, notably Eric Lamaze (CAN), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Ludger Beerbaum (GER).
As the crown in equestrianism for over 50 years, Rolex is proud to be a major force at play behind the sport’s finest events, riders and organizations. Whether supporting leading athletes such as Rodrigo Pessoa and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum or maintaining tradition and excellence with the historic CHIO Aachen in Germany or the newly established Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has cultivated a privileged relationship with the elite world of equestrian sports. A realm reserved for true champions, horsemanship requires a passion for excellence and perfection. Bound by these shared values, Rolex – a true partner of the sport – continues to make a unique and lasting contribution to equestrianism around the world.
Rolex has been affiliated with the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in Calgary, Canada, since 1989. Featuring the world’s best horses and riders, the event was named number one in the world for international Show Jumping in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains in the early 1970s. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and is a true favourite with rider and horse alike.
For further information related to the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and to see the full Rolex press release, please visit www.rolexgrandslam.com.
For more information on Spruce Meadows and the ‘Masters’ Tournament, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Spruce Meadows Media Services
katie.macleod@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
sprucemeadows.com
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com