ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM: THE JOURNEY TO ACHIEVEMENT

Geneva, 25 February 2025 – Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy. The partnership began in 1957 when pioneering British show jumper Pat Smythe became the first equestrian Testimonee, and the 2025 season will continue to harness the brand's journey to achievement, inspiring future generations in their path to becoming a champion.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – considered to be the sports ultimate prize – was introduced over 10 years ago, epitomizing Rolex’s contribution to excellence in equestrianism, and highlighting the supreme moments that culminate in victory. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping rewards the outstanding rider who, consecutively, wins the Grand Prix at three of the four Majors including The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and the CHI Geneva – a feat which has only been achieved by one rider to date, Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash, who this year celebrates the 10-year anniversary of this historic victory.

The Dutch Masters, the first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2025, takes place in the medieval city of ’s‑Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, from 13–16 March, with the event’s feature class, the Rolex Grand Prix, taking centre stage on Sunday 16 March. The historic event dates back to 1966 and encompasses a combination of outstanding show jumping and exceptional dressage, placing it at the very top of the international indoor equestrian circuit.

The equestrian community will then turn their attention to the Aachen Soers showgrounds for the next Major in the calendar year, the globally renowned CHIO Aachen, taking place from 27 June–6 July. Steeped in prestige and tradition, the CHIO Aachen showcases the very best of equestrian sport and is often likened to The Championships, Wimbledon, both taking place on grass, and both among the most prestigious venues in their respective sports. The Rolex Grand Prix, the event’s crowning point of the competition, requires riders to compete with extraordinary levels of precision, athleticism and courage, to achieve victory on this hallowed turf.

The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, North America’s premier show jumping competition, will be held from 3–7 September, on the outskirts of Calgary, Canada. Official Sponsor of the venue since 1989, Rolex last year celebrated its 35-year anniversary with the show, while 2025 marks 50 years since the venue’s first international competition, bringing with it the 10-year anniversary of Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The show’s pinnacle class, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, regarded as one of the sport’s toughest tests, was won the last two consecutive years by Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs.

Bringing the 2025 season to a fitting conclusion is The Concours Hippique International de Genève, or the CHI Geneva, home to the show’s Presenting Sponsor Rolex. Held in December, in the iconic Palexpo Arena, the CHI Geneva features two of the season’s most anticipated competitions: the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Top 10 Final; and the Rolex Grand Prix, the final event of the calendar year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The show requires horse and rider combinations to demonstrate great harmony as they work as a team to conquer one of the sport’s most demanding challenges, set within one of the sport’s largest indoor settings, renowned for its intense atmosphere.

The 2025 season will also feature Rolex Grands Prix at some of the sport’s most revered shows that make up the newly introduced Rolex Series, a highlight of the 2024 season. The Rolex Series unites seven of the most prestigious equestrian shows in the world, each supported by the brand. These seven globally esteemed shows share several distinguishing qualities, each offering age-old traditions, the highest standard of competition, and having been won by the very best riders in the history of the sport.

The Winter Equestrian Festival, taking place in Wellington, Florida, over the course of 12 weeks from January to March will host the first Rolex Series event of 2025 – the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix on Saturday 29 March. The show is one of world's leading hubs for equestrian excellence, attracting the best equestrian athletes from across the globe.

The CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, the first show to launch the Rolex Series last year, takes place from 21–25 May in the Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome. Acknowledged as one of the sport’s most beautiful and captivating venues, the show is known to pair true elegance with world-class sport.

In June, crowds will gather in Western France for the CSIO Jumping International de La Baule, a historic event that attracts some of the best horse and rider combinations across the globe and which was won last year by Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington.

The focus will then shift to the Al Shira'aa Falsterbo Horse Show in Sweden, which in 2025 became the seventh show to run under the Rolex Series banner. Established in the 1920s, the show has evolved into one of Europe's premier equestrian competitions and is the largest outdoor sports event in the country. Taking place from 5–13 July, Rolex will support the show as the Official Timepiece and as the Title Sponsor of the Rolex Grand Prix for the first time.

Returning to French turf for the next event in the Rolex Series is the Jumping International de Dinard, from 24–27 July. Among the most popular and respected events on the international show jumping circuit, this year the venue celebrates 10 years since Rolex became the Official Timepiece of the show. Rolex Testimonees Bertram Allen (2015), Martin Fuchs (2021, 2022), and most recently Kevin Staut (2024) have all won the Rolex Grand Prix here.   

Attention then turns to the RDS Dublin Horse Show, taking place from 6–10 August. Supported last year for the first time by Rolex as the Official Timepiece and Title Sponsor of the CSIO5* Rolex Grand Prix, the class was aptly won by Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs.

Concluding the 2025 line-up is the Brussels Stephex Masters, from 27–31 August, which this year celebrates the 10-year anniversary since Rolex became the Official Timepiece as well as the Main and Title Sponsor of the Rolex Grand Prix. Known for its intense competition and vibrant atmosphere, the Brussels Stephex Masters has been won by some of the sport’s greatest riders, including Rolex Testimonees Kent Farrington and Jessica Springsteen. 

2025 ROLEX KEY EQUESTRIAN EVENTS:

The Dutch Masters, 13–16 March 2025

Winter Equestrian Festival, Rolex Finale Week, 27–30 March 2025

CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show, 15–18 May 2025

CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, 21–25 May 2025

Jumping International de La Baule, 5–8 June 2025

CHIO Aachen, 27 June–6 July 2025

Al Shira'aa Falsterbo Horse Show, 5–13 July 2025 

Jumping International de Dinard, 24–27 July 2025

RDS Dublin Horse Show, 6–10 August 2025

Brussels Stephex Masters, 27–31 August 2025

CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, 3–7 September 2025

CHI Geneva, 11–14 December 2025

ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM

Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy. For almost 70 years, Rolex has cultivated an enduring legacy with the equestrian world and is now a major presence at play behind the finest riders, competitions and institutions.

The brand’s contribution to excellence in equestrianism is based on this heritage, encouraging modernization while respecting the elegance of this prestigious sport. Whether supporting leading athletes, the CHI Geneva or the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has built on a relationship that began in 1957, through an alliance with British show jumper Pat Smythe. A pioneer in equestrianism, she became the brand’s first equestrian Testimonee. Rolex’s perpetual support is highlighted by its affiliation with international events and competitions that represent the pinnacle of the sport, from the equestrian Majors to the shows making up the Rolex Series.

ABOUT ROLEX

AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE

Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Perpetual watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.

The word ‘Perpetual’ is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 600 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.

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