Geneva, Switzerland – March 12, 2025 – Anticipation is building for the 2025 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping calendar year, which once again promises to deliver breathtaking and memorable sporting moments. This year is particularly historic, representing the 10-year anniversary of Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash’s (GBR) incredible achievement – winning three consecutive Majors, namely the CHI Geneva, the CHIO Aachen, and the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, to secure the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping trophy. Even more impressively, he accomplished this feat on a single horse, Hello Sanctos, showcasing the highest levels of horsemanship and teamwork.
With defending champions set to return, and emerging stars ready to challenge the elite, the season is poised to feature thrilling rivalries, masterful skill, and unforgettable occasions. Much like the Majors in tennis and golf, the Majors that make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are regarded as the most esteemed and celebrated in the sport, collectively amassing 300 years of history.
The first Major of 2025, The Dutch Masters, will welcome the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations to the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch from 13 – 16 March. For the first time, the event will also host the HeadFirst Group Award – Best of Champions class, featuring the reigning Olympic, World, European, and Dutch National champions in a unique ‘horse-swapping’ competition. Additionally, the home crowd will be eager for a back-to-back Dutch victory in the pinnacle class – the Rolex Grand Prix – following Willem Greve’s sensational win last year. With Harrie Smolders heading to The Dutch Masters as the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, Dutch expectations will be high.
The calendar then moves on to the CHIO Aachen – often described as The Championships, Wimbledon of the sport. Held over 10 days, and attracting over 350,000 passionate fans, the event culminates in the esteemed Rolex Grand Prix on the final Sunday. Last year’s competition saw German rider André Thieme claim victory, much to the delight of the home crowd. Interestingly, the past four editions have all been won by German riders, and with the electrifying atmosphere of a sold-out crowd of 40,000 serving as the perfect backdrop for homegrown success, will 2025 see a fifth consecutive victory?
Course designer at the CHIO Aachen, Frank Rothenberger commented: “The CHIO Aachen is the biggest equestrian show in the world and the Rolex Grand Prix there is one of the toughest Grands Prix to exist in show jumping. I always feel a lot of pressure when designing the CHIO Aachen courses as they have to be designed with exact and precise margins to get the right results.”
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping then turns to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament – the only Major in North America. This year, the iconic show will celebrate a momentous 50 years of international competition. To mark this historic occasion, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex will feature the richest prize for a single class in the history of the sport at CAD $5 million. Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs (SUI) has claimed the title for the past two years, demonstrating his impressive skill and determination to conquer what is widely considered the toughest course in show jumping. Alongside Spruce Meadows’ golden anniversary, the Rolex Grand Slam will also commemorate Scott Brash’s extraordinary triumph 10-years on from his momentous victory.
Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), the head course designer at Spruce Meadows added: “Spruce Meadows is a historic venue that preserves the tradition of equestrian sport. We try to be as natural as possible, with the venue actively recycling and protecting the environment. The fences we use at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament set it apart from other competitions, with our signature long poles. The speed at which horse and rider combinations jump the fences here is faster than at other competitions, and the horses tend to jump really well.”
Providing a fitting conclusion to the 2025 season is the CHI Geneva. Taking place from December 11–14, the event is renowned for hosting some of the world’s best equestrian sport in one of the largest indoor arenas on the circuit. In addition to the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix – part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping – the CHI Geneva is also home to the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, a unique class which gathers the world’s top 10 ranked riders, who compete against each other for the right to be crowned champion.
2024 Major Winners:
- The Dutch Masters – Willem Greve (NED), Highway TN N.O.P
- CHIO Aachen – André Thieme (GER), DSP Chakaria
- CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament – Martin Fuchs (SUI), Leone Jei
- CHI Geneva – Harrie Smolders (NED), Monaco N.O.P
Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping
Photos: © Rolex / Tom Lovelock
