WORLD’S TOP RIDERS RETURN TO THE DUTCH MASTERS FOR FIRST MAJOR IN 2021 ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING

Geneva, Switzerland, 20 April 2021 – The world’s top equestrian riders will gather at The Dutch Masters from 23–25 April, to contest the first Major in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2021. The Rolex Grand Prix, which culminates on Sunday 25 April, is the highlight of the rescheduled three-day indoor event for 2021 and will provide a thrilling conclusion to the action in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

For more than 60 years, Rolex has been intimately linked with equestrianism, dating back to 1957 when pioneering British show jumper Pat Smythe became the brand’s first Testimonee in the sport. Since then, as part of its quest for perpetual excellence, Rolex has forged lasting bonds with many individuals and organizations from this demanding discipline. The Dutch Masters, of which Rolex has been the Main Sponsor since 2014, is among those partners who set the highest standards of performance in equestrian sport, making the relationship with the Swiss watch manufacturer a perfect match.

The show, with a rich history spanning more than five decades, will once again provide the world’s best horse and rider combinations with a supreme test of skill and precision as they pursue victory in the Rolex Grand Prix.


 

Steve Guerdat rides Albfuehren's Bianca in The Rolex Grand Prix Steve Guerdat rides Albfuehren's Bianca in The Rolex Grand Prix

A CHAMPION'S PURSUIT

Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat, the current World No. 1, will lead a distinguished field of competitors and will be looking to add the Rolex Grand Prix at this illustrious event to his remarkable list of titles. The individual champion at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and three-time winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva, Guerdat has also twice triumphed at the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final and claimed the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2018; the Swiss champion certainly knows what it takes to succeed at the world’s most revered international competitions.

Coming to The Dutch Masters on the back of a promising spring campaign Steve Guerdat said: 

“The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the most sought-after title in the sport, so I’m really looking forward to its return at The Dutch Masters and will be trying my best to secure victory at this first Major of the season.”

THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING
With no Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping events having taken place in 2020, World No. 3 and reigning European Champion Martin Fuchs, a Rolex Testimonee, will be heading to The Dutch Masters as the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender having secured victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at the 2019 Concours Hippique International de Genève (CHIG). Fellow Rolex Testimonee, America’s Kent Farrington, will also be seeking victory and in doing so will secure an additional bonus, as the winner of The Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen in 2019.  

THE ROLEX FAMILY OF TESTIMONEES

Rolex has an affinity with human achievement that dates back to the origins of the brand, and supports equestrianism in its quest to unite and inspire. Also heading to the Netherlands are several legends of the sport and fellow members of the Rolex family of Testimonees, whose accomplishments have spurred today’s rising stars.

Leading the way will be former World and European champion, and the individual gold medal winner from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Jeroen Dubbeldam, who will be striving to triumph in his native country. The Dutch rider faces intense competition from his fellow Rolex Testimonees. They include France’s Kevin Staut, a two-time Grand Prix winner in ’s-Hertogenbosch (2010 and 2014), and Great Britain’s Scott Brash, the only rider so far to complete the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – the sport’s most demanding challenge – when he won three consecutive Majors in 2014–2015 with his champion horse, Hello Sanctos. Just as Rolex strives for perpetual excellence in its watchmaking, these Testimonees continue to push the boundaries of what is deemed possible in the world of show jumping, and they will be striving to etch their names into the chronicles of an event steeped in tradition and prestige.

ROLEX GRAND PRIX PREVIOUS WINNERS

2019 *Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), Toveks Mary Lou
2018 *Niels Bruynseels (BEL), Gancia de Muze
2017 *Leopold van Asten (NED), VDL Groep Zidane N.O.P.
2016 *Marcus Ehning (GER), Cornado NRW
2015 *Daniel Deusser (GER), Cornet d’Amour
2014 *Kevin Staut (FRA), Silvana*HDC 
2013 Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Kisby
2012 Marc Houtzager (NED), Opium
2011 Albert Zoer (NED), Sam
2010 Kevin Staut (FRA), Silvana*HDC
2009 Albert Zoer (NED), Sam
2008 Daniel Etter (SUI), Peu a Peu
2007 Daniel Deusser (GER), Air Jordan Z
2006 Albert Zoer (NED), Okidoki
2005 Marcus Ehning (GER), Gitania
2004 Gert-Jan Bruggink (NED), Joel
2003 Robert Smith (GBR), Marius Claudius

*Denotes Rolex Grand Prix

(Names in bold denote Rolex equestrian Testimonees)

Press release