Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco (Cassini II x Contender) won the last Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year at the 63rd edition of CHI Geneva, topping the CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix worth 1,200,000 Euro.

Sunday’s Major-win marked a milestone for Monaco; this was the first ever five-star Grand Prix victory for the 15-year-old gelding who throughout his career has showed remarkable consistency. With Smolders, Monaco has finished second on eleven occasions outside championships. “I always support the sport and I cheer for everybody, but Monaco really deserved this victory today,” Smolders said afterwards. “It is a milestone, these classes are very prestigious and it is hard to win one – I can tell from experience. I am very grateful and today showed again the horsemanship we have with my horse, the connection, the bond, the trust and the courage you can give to your horse – and that is an amazing feeling.”  

As the new Rolex Grand Slam live contender, Smolders can now look forward to the next Major on home soil. “I am always looking forward to The Dutch Masters, even when I am not the Rolex live contender,” Smolders laughed when asked about the next Rolex Grand Slam Major, The Dutch Masters that take place in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands in March. “Now it is going to be even more special. The Dutch Masters is a show that inspired us as young kids, and now it is our turn to inspire the next generation.”

And with this, we look back at some of the magic moments as Monaco jumped to victory with Smolders in the last Rolex Major of 2024.

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