Press release from the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The Dutch Masters, one of the four shows that makes up the sport’s ultimate prize, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, returns from 7–10 March with a packed schedule of sport and entertainment. This iconic show, which was first staged in 1967, attracts the world’s finest horse and rider combinations to impressive Brabanthallen for four days of thrilling action, which is sure to impress and delight those who attend. In addition to top-class international show jumping and dressage competitions, the show hosts national competitions and has a huge array of shopping available. There are also plenty of entertainment options for children with influencer meet & greets, hobby horsing, and pony riding opportunities.

Action commences on Thursday in both the international and national arenas, with the sporting highlight of the day coming from the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix presented by RS2 Dressage. With riders such as reigning individual World Champion Charlotte Fry, and the world’s most successful dressage rider, Isabell Werth in action, the competition is set to be fiercely fought...

Congratulations! You are the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, how are you feeling ahead of The Dutch Masters?

I am excited and looking forward to competing at The Dutch Masters. My position has changed significantly since the CHI Geneva as I was not one of the favourites going into the competition. I was considered a young rider who was trying to gain experience in those classes. I went there with the mentality of wanting to give it my best shot, and so it was an unbelievable result for us to win the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva. We will never forget that class, that day, or that show. It was, and will always be, an incredibly special moment for us.

We are now heading to The Dutch Masters, I think our position has changed a little bit. I would not say that I am one of the favourites, but people have higher expectations of us now. We are going to try to be as competitive as possible, and the goal is to try and win again.

It will be my first time competing at the show. I have heard only great things about it – all my fellow riders love the show, so I am excited to go, and even more excited to be going there as the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender. 

Reflecting on your win in the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva – how special was this victory to you?

It was something very special. Probably even more special as the CHI Geneva was one of the main focuses of last season, and we planned our year around it. Before the CHI Geneva, I competed for two months in Mexico...

The Dutch Masters – the first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year, and the final Major to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the concept – takes place from 7–10 March and will welcome the world’s best horse and rider combinations to the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. In total 44 riders from 12 nations, including the six top-ranked riders in the world, will contest the international show jumping classes, with the coveted Rolex Grand Prix taking place on Sunday afternoon. 

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, Richard Vogel, will be making his debut at the show, and will be aiming to keep his Rolex Grand Slam dream alive. The young German rider, together with his remarkable stallion United Touch S, stormed to victory at the CHI Geneva. However, Vogel has made a tactical decision to bring the 10-year-old Cepano Baloubet, with whom he has had several 5* victories, as his partner for this Major. 

Vogel will be joined by five other German riders, including three-time Major winners, Daniel Deusser and Marcus Ehning, both of whom are likely to challenge for the top placings. Another notable German rider in action at the Indoor Brabant Horse Show is Christian Kukuk, who will be looking to build on his impressive third place at the CHI Geneva in December last year. 

Leading the group of Dutch riders looking for a home win is World No. 10 Harrie Smolders, who will be joined by 13 of his compatriots, including Leopoldo Van Asten, a previous winner of the Grand Prix at the venue (pre-Rolex Grand Slam era) and Lars Kersten will be looking to build on his victory in the final FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier at Gothenburg last week. The passionate and enthusiastic Dutch crowd is sure to...  

The Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus on top of the class’s prize-money. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1 million bonus.