Edited press release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’  – the third Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year – once again played host to one of the toughest competitions in the sport, the CSIO5* 1.60m 2,215,000.00 USD CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Held in the iconic International Ring, the world’s most elite horse-and-rider combinations were all hoping to etch their names into the history books as they pursued one of the most coveted titles in the sport.

The field included the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, André Thieme (GER) and DSP Chakaria (Chap x Askari), as well as the winners of the last three editions of the class: The title defender Martin Fuchs (SUI) on Leone Jei (Baltic VDL x Corland), the 2022-winner Daniel Deusser (GER) on Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) and Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly x Djalisco du Guet) – a pair that topped the podium in 2021.

Following the same format as the previous Major held at the CHIO Aachen, the class consisted of two rounds and a jump-off. In total, 38 combinations started in the first round, with the top 12 proceeding into the second round. Those tied after this would then take on the challenge of the jump-off against the clock to decide the final placings.

First to tackle Leopoldo Palacios’ typically huge and daring course was the first pair out, Brazil’s Yuri Mansur and QH Alfons Santo Antonio (Aromats x False Pass) who secured a clear round inside the time allowed.

The course provided a suitable challenge for this world-class group of riders, and it wasn’t until the eleventh to go, Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM, that the crowd was treated to another clear round. The time proved a challenge for numerous riders, with Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy, Tim Gredley (GBR) on Medoc de Toxandria (Der Senaat 111 x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle) and Juan Manuel Gallego (COL) aboard Fee des Sequoias Z (Figaro du ri D'asse x Saccor) all collecting just one painstaking time penalty.

At the halfway point, there were just four clears, including one from team gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ben Maher (GBR) and Dallas Vegas Batilly (Cap Kennedy x L'Arc De Triomphe). This meant that those with time penalties or quick four-fault rounds could remain in contention for a place in the second round.

Of the remaining 18 riders, only last year’s winners, Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei, could add their names to the exclusive list of clears who would carry no penalties forward. It was not meant to be for the Rolex Grand Slam live contender André Thieme and DSP Chakaria as two fences fell, ending the German’s quest to become only the second rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. 

As the second round of the class was built, the CEO and President of Spruce Meadows, Linda Southern-Heathcott, announced the exciting news that next year the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, would have an increased prize fund totalling CAD 5 million in honour of 50 years of international competition at the venue.

Max Kühner (AUT) and Elektric Blue P (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) were first to go in the second round and added no penalties to their score of four faults and set the standard for the following riders, as did Rolex’s newest equestrian testimonee, Richard Vogel with the sensational stallion United Touch S (Untouched x Lux Z). Britain’s Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria were another combination to leave all of the fences standing, and in doing so, remained on just a single time fault from the initial round, as did Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat on Venard de Cerisy.

Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei produced the first double clear of the day, with Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and VDL Cartello (Cartani x Lord) quickly following suit, meaning that the sold-out crowd would be treated to a jump-off. Both Mansur and Maher had one pole apiece; however, last to go, Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen secured a clear and proceeded to the shortened course to make it a jump-off of three. 

With the horse-and-rider combinations returning in the same order in which they jumped in the previous round, it was Fuchs who was first to return to the sunbathed arena. Fuchs and the striking grey gelding Leone Jei set the pace in an impressive time of 40.22 seconds, but collected four faults.

Kenny could not match the pace set by Fuchs, with one pole and two time faults. The pressure was therefore on the 2022 winner Deusser to deliver a clear, but two fences fell, meaning it was Fuchs who claimed back-to-back titles ahead of Kenny in second, Deusser in third, Guerdat in fourth and Gredley in fifth. Additionally, Leone Jei becaem the first horse to win two Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors at the same venue. 

Speaking on his win, Fuchs stated: “To be honest, I am a little bit shocked and surprised to win – you don’t expect to win when you have two of the best riders behind you. Today really was my day, and so I am very happy. It was hard to be the first into the jump-off; the wait was incredibly nerve-wracking!”

The Swiss rider continued: “Leone Jei is an incredible horse, and he has such an amazing jump. He always performs so well in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors – he is an unreal partner to have. The courses that we jump here are some of the toughest in the world; they really challenge the riders and the horses. You need to be 100% focused and confident, as well as have the courage to jump these impressive fences to be able to win here. I love coming here – it is a very special place to me.”

As the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, Fuchs can now look forward to CHI Geneva on home soil in December.