Kent Farrington and Myla won the Turkish Airlines – Prize of Europe, the first qualifying class for Sunday’s prestigious Rolex Grand Prix. Photo © Rolex Grand Slam/Tiffany Van Halle.
Press release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping made its much-anticipated return to the CHIO Aachen for the second equestrian Major of the calendar year. Beneath the dazzling lights of the historic main stadium, the spotlight this evening fell on the Turkish Airlines – Prize of Europe, the first qualifying class for Sunday’s prestigious Rolex Grand Prix.
Designed by renowned course builder Frank Rothenberger, the 1.60m track featured 14 combinations and presented a true test of skill and scope. As is so often the case at the World Equestrian Festival, the starting list was world-class. Among the star-studded field was Rolex Testimonee Richard Vogel, who claimed victory in this very class in 2024; Paris 2024 Olympic Individual Champion Christian Kukuk; and the current World No. 1 Kent Farrington, who was also first to enter the ring aboard his talented 10-year-old bay mare, Myla.
Interview with Tony Stormanns
Tony Stormanns. Photo © Rolex Grand Slam/Helen Cruden.
Tony, you are one of the exciting young talents in the sport of show jumping – can you tell us how your journey began?
"The first time I sat on a horse was on my dad’s lap while he was jumping cavalettis at home. I got my first pony when I was about four or five-years-old, but I was actually scared to canter around the arena at that stage. I started out doing dressage shows, but I would always complain because I was not any good at it! One day my mum suggested I try show jumping instead, and that is where everything changed.
I never really competed in the pony Nations Cup competitions, and by the time I was eleven, I stopped riding ponies altogether. I got my first big horse and started jumping the bigger classes – my first 1m40s, Regionals, Nations Cups, the Europeans, and so on. Then I went to America, and this is where things really picked up, and last winter I got to."
Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Championing Equine Welfare through cutting-edge science
The CHIO Aachen, the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2025, not only showcases world-class equestrian sport but also leads the way in championing horse welfare through science and innovation. At the heart of this commitment is the CHIO Aachen Scientist Circle – a groundbreaking, long-term initiative that brings together leading veterinarians, equine behaviourists, AI technologists, and academic researchers from Germany and Switzerland. Their mission is clear: to understand and enhance the welfare of sport horses before, during, and after top-level competition.
About the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping 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.
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