TSCHIO AACHEN RIDER WATCH

As the second Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping calendar year, the TSCHIO Aachen will bring together an exceptional field of international talent at the Aachen Soers Showground from 22–24 May 2026. With all of the current top 20 ranked riders confirmed to compete, the 2026 edition will showcase remarkable strength and depth across the start list.

Following his victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters, Richard Vogel arrives at the TSCHIO Aachen as the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender. The German reigning individual European Champion, claimed the first Major of the year with United Touch S having enjoyed an exceptional week in ’s-Hertogenbosch, recording three victories across the show. Victory in Aachen would mark his second consecutive Rolex Grand Slam Major title and move him one step closer to becoming only the second rider in history to claim the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The host nation will be strongly represented, with Vogel joined by an accomplished German contingent that includes Christian Kukuk, Daniel Deusser, Sophie Hinners, André Thieme and Marcus Ehning. Kukuk arrives as the reigning individual Olympic champion following his gold medal-winning performance with Checker 47 at Paris 2024, while Deusser brings significant Rolex Grand Slam experience as a three-time Major winner and one of the most consistent performers at the highest level of the sport. Rolex Testimonee Hinners adds further depth to the home challenge, alongside former winners Thieme and Ehning, whose experience and championship pedigree further strengthen the German line-up.

The United States fields a particularly strong contingent, with Kent Farrington, who has already claimed multiple Rolex Grand Slam Major victories and has continued his strong form this season, including victories in the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington, the CSI5* Grand Prix at Kentucky International and in the FEI World Cup™ Final. He is joined by McLain Ward, currently World No.10, winner of a CSI5* Grand Prix in Wellington earlier this year, alongside Laura Kraut, and Karl Cook, who opened his 2026 campaign with CSI5* success in Thermal.

Great Britain is represented by Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash, the only rider to have claimed the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Brash has enjoyed an exceptional start to 2026, recording multiple CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix victories in Doha. His British teammate Ben Maher, World No.4 and a three-time Olympic gold medallist, has also shown strong early-season form, with several international victories.

Belgium arrives with three riders inside the world’s current top 20. Gilles Thomas, currently World No.5, was part of the Belgian team that secured gold at the most recent FEI European Championships and also won the World Cup™ qualifier in Mechelen with Qalista DN at the end of 2025. He will be joined by Nicola Philippaerts, who recently claimed the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix of Shanghai with Katanga v/h Dingeshof, and Gregory Wathelet, whose championship experience adds further strength to the Belgian contingent.

France will also field a strong group of challengers. Nina Mallevaey  has continued to underline her place among the sport’s leading riders, including victory in the CSI5* Hermès 1.50m at Wellington earlier this year. She will be joined by Julien Epaillard, Simon Delestre and Rolex Testimonee Kevin Staut all of whom will be hoping to claim their first Rolex Grand Prix at the venue.

Ireland is represented by Shane Sweetnam and Daniel Coyle. Sweetnam recorded CSI5* victory at Ocala earlier this season, while Coyle continues to produce strong results at the highest level. Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, Olympic gold medallist and one of the most experienced championship riders in the sport, also arrives in good form, having won the Audi Prize at The Dutch Masters in March. He will be joined by compatriot Martin Fuchs, who will be hoping to defend his title in Sunday’s pinnacle class. 

Further international strength comes from the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, a Rolex Grand Slam Major winner and former World No.1, as well as Israel’s Daniel Bluman, who has continued to record consistent results this season. Together, they complete an exceptional international field for the TSCHIO Aachen.

As the world’s leading combinations converge in Aachen, the Rolex Grand Prix will present an exacting test at the highest level. The outcome will determine whether Richard Vogel remains the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, or whether a new rider takes up the pursuit of the sport’s ultimate challenge.

ENTRY LIST