Tag Archives: CHIO Aachen

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving, Show Jumping

CHIO Aachen in Full Swing; Weber Wins Preis der Fa. Horsch

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Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – Competition was in full swing at CHIO Aachen Wednesday with dressage, driving and jumping competitions all taking place. The U.S. had representation in all three disciplines and did not disappoint as American combinations notched solid results.

Driving

Leading the U.S. effort on Wednesday was veteran driver Chester Weber, who dominated the start of CAIO-4 competition. For the second consecutive year, Weber (Ocala, FL) claimed victory in the Preis der Fa. Horsch in a world-class field. Driving his own Para and Senate along with Jane Clark’s Splash and Uniek, the nine-time USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion drove a lovely test to score 31.2 to earn victory by more than a three-point margin over reigning World Champion Boyd Exell.

Weber now leads the individual competition in Aachen as he looks to secure his second European victory in a month after topping the Four-in-Hand field at the Saumur CAI-A4.

Also representing the U.S. in the Preis der Fa. Horsch was Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, NJ), who drove a leased team from Koos de Ronde to a score of 63.24 for 25th place.

The Aachen CAIO-4 continues Thursday with the Prize of Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG, where drivers will perform a second dressage test as the first phase of team competition.

Laura Kraut and Woodstock O (StockImageServices.com)
Laura Kraut and Woodstock O (StockImageServices.com)

Jumping

In CSIO5* competition the U.S. was represented on Wednesday by Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden. In the final jumping competition of the day the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen, Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) scorched to a third place finish with Le Bon’s Jubilee D’Ouilly. Earlier in the day, the Olympic Games veteran piloted Joan Kalman and the Freedom Group’s Woodstock O to a fifth place finish in the Prize of Handwerk. Kraut also contested the Warsteiner Prize with longtime partner Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric, producing an eight-fault round.

Madden (Cazenovia, NY) completed her first class of the 2013 Aachen CSIO5*, the Warsteiner Prize, riding Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ to a four-fault effort. She rounded out Wednesday in the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen producing a four-fault trip with Wexner’s Vanilla.

Dressage

Three U.S. dressage riders began the CDI4* competition in Aachen today. Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O and Shelly Francis and Danilo contested the Prix St. Georges Test as part of the Small Tour competition, while Susan Dutta rode Currency DC in the Grand Prix Test for the Big Tour.

Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O (Shannon Brinkman)
Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O (Shannon Brinkman)

Roffman (Wellington, FL) was the first rider to enter the ring in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with her own Her Highness O. She and the 10-year-old Hanoverian mare executed a lovely, flowing test, scoring a 71.026% and earning a seventh place finish in the Preis der VUV class. Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Patricia Stempel’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Danilo, put forth a respectable effort to score 67.500% for 11th place. In the HAVENS Pferdefutter-Preis class, Dutta (Wellington, FL) and Tim Dutta Inc.’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding scored a 64.766% in the Grand Prix Test to finish in 19th place.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Teams here.

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, Vaulting

US Eyes Top Finishes at CHIO Aachen

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Jan Ebeling and Rafalca (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – The U.S. sends a strong group of athletes to Germany to compete across five disciplines at the prestigious CHIO Aachen. The host of the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, Aachen draws many of the best in the game for world class competition held over ten days. In 2013, the competition runs June 21-30 and will feature 20 talented American athletes.

Dressage

In dressage competition the United States will have representation in each division with six athletes competing on eight horses. The U.S. sends four talented pairs to the CDIO5* which will run June 27-30. Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) will ride his 2012 Olympic veteran Ann Romney, Beth Meyers, and Amy Ebeling’s Rafalca. Tina Konyot (Palm City, FL) also brings her Olympic Games partner Calecto V. They will be joined by rising stars Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor. Rounding out the U.S.’s CDIO5* team is Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games Team medalist Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA), who will ride Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92.

In 2013, the United States will be represented in CDI-U25 competition for the first time; Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) will vie for top honors with Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF. The pair was awarded a Dutta Corp. flight to train and compete in Europe and look to make a splash at the prestigious European CDI.

CDI-U25 competition will run June 28-29 and features 15 competitors from eight nations.

The United States will send three combinations down center line in the CDI4*, which will be held June 26-29. In Big Tour competition, Grand Prix, Susie Dutta (Wellington, FL) will fly the flag for the U.S. with Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC. While in the Prix St. Georges division, Small Tour, Francis brings Stempel’s Danilo and Roffman will ride her own Her Highness O.

A total of 57 competitors from 16 different nations are set to contest the CDIO5* and CDI4*.

Vaulting

The first weekend of competition at CHIO Aachen wrapped up on Sunday with six U.S. vaulters putting forth great efforts and gaining valuable experience. Four individuals and one Pas de Deux team represented the U.S. in CVIO3* competition with Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer and Alicen Divita leading the way.

The Palmer Sisters (Half Moon Bay, CA), vaulting on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, earned scores of 6.658 and 7.302 on their way to a fourth place finish in the Pas de Deux competition.

In the three-phase individual female competition Alicen Divita (Redwood City, CA), vaulting on her mother Julie Divita’s Pino del Rio and lunged by Elke Lensing, was the U.S.’s top representative. With a tenth place finish in the compulsory competition, an impressive fourth in the technical competition, and eighth in Saturday’s freestyle competition, Divita earned a sixth place overall finish with an average score of 7.465.

Also competing for the U.S. were Elizabeth Ioannou (Saratoga, CA), who finished in twelfth place overall and Mary Garrett (Seal Beach, CA), who finished fourteenth.

In the individual male competition, Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, CA) was the U.S.’s sole representative. Vaulting on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, Roberts finished in fourteenth place overall.

Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)
Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)

Driving

The U.S. sends two of its most experienced drivers into CAIO-4 competition this week in Aachen. The driving portion of CHIO Aachen will run June 25-30 and hosts 25 competitors from 10 nations. Chester Weber (Ocala, FL) is no stranger to success in international competition, having won four FEI World Championship medals. Recently, he won at the Saumur CAI-A4 with his own and Jane Clark’s team; he looks to win his second competition in the month of June in Aachen. Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) has represented the U.S. at numerous championships and has more than five National Titles to his name. He will look to utilize that experience as he drives a leased team from Koos de Ronde.

Jumping

Always a destination competition for the top jumpers in the world, the Aachen CSIO5* once again hosts the very best in the game June 25-30 as 62 riders from 17 nations line up. The U.S. will be represented by two of its most experienced and accomplished competitors. Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games Team medalist, Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) brings four horses to Aachen; Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric, Le Bon’s Jubilee D’Ouilly, Joan Kalman and the Freedom Group’s Woodstock O, and Stars and Stripes’ Bonito R. Reigning Rolex/FEI World Cup Final champion, Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) has two entries for Aachen’s prestigious classes; Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ and Vanilla.

Eventing

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Mike McNally)
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Mike McNally)

The 2013 Aachen CICO3* represents a new challenge for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team as they contest the highly regarded competition for the first time. A team of four experienced riders are set to try and help the United States secure CICO3* victory in their inaugural effort. Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) brings Jatial, Inc.’s Ringwood Magister to Aachen. Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) makes a return to the venue of the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games having represented the U.S. at those championships; in 2013 he rides Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow. Marilyn Little (Fredrick, MD) will ride her Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water. Rounding out the American effort is Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s Universe.

The Aachen CICO3* runs June 27-29 and features 40 competitors from 10 nations.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Teams here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Vaulting

US Vaulters Finish Strong at Aachen CVIO3*

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Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer performing a Pas de Deux freestyle test (barnysphotoshop.eu)

Lexington, KY – The first weekend of competition at CHIO Aachen in Aachen, Germany wrapped up Sunday with a day of CVIO3* vaulting competition. Representing the U.S. were sisters Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer (Half Moon Bay, CA) performing their second freestyle test in the Prize of Sparkasse Pas de Duex competition.

On Saturday the pair, vaulting on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, finished their first freestyle test with a score of 6.658. That score was good for a fifth place finish. On Sunday the Palmer’s improved upon that score, earning a 7.302, and finished one place better in fourth.

Those two efforts earned them a fourth place overall finish.* Winning the Pas de Deux were Austria’s Stefan Csandl and Theresa Thiel.

Complete results are available at www.chioaachen.de.

*Pas de Deux total scores are an average of two freestyles scores.

Individual Competition

While the Pas de Deux teams were just getting started Saturday, individual vaulters were wrapping up their efforts.

Alicen Divita finished sixth overall in the Individual Female competition (barnysphotoshop.eu)
Alicen Divita finished sixth overall in the Individual Female competition (barnysphotoshop.eu)

Leading those individual efforts for the U.S. was Redwood City, California’s Alicen Divita. The 24-year-old earned a sixth place overall finish in the Prize of Sparkasse Individual Female Competition. Thanks to top ten placings in all three phases of competition*, Divita, vaulting on Julie Divita’s Pino del Rio and lunged by Elke Lensing, improved upon her tenth place finish at the Aachen CVIO3* in 2012. Divita was tenth in the compulsory competition, an impressive fourth in the technical competition, and eighth in Saturday’s freestyle competition.

The U.S.’s top freestyle effort came from Elizabeth Ioannou (Saratoga, CA). On Emma Seely’s Jarl, lunged by Lasse Kristensen, Ioannou earned a 7.961 and took seventh place. She finished in twelfth place overall. Mary Garrett, the third and final U.S. individual female competitor, finished in fourteenth place overall. Garrett (Seal Beach, CA) vaulted on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and was lunged by Wolfgang Renz.

Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, CA), the sole U.S. individual male vaulter in Aachen, also vaulted on Leon 364 and was lunged by Wolfgang Renz. Roberts finished fourteenth with a three round average score of 5.586.

Great Britain’s Joanne Eccles won the individual female competition and Erik Oese of Germany was the top placed individual male.

Click here for final individual female standings.

Click here for final individual male standing.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Vaulting Team here.

*Individual competition consists of three phases, compulsory, technical, and freestyle. Overall score is determined by averaging the three.

*Featured/Spotlights, Vaulting

US Vaulters Ready for Competition at Aachen CVIO3*

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Alicen Divita (Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, KY – The U.S. effort at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicks off Friday as vaulters take center stage at the historic German venue. The United States will be represented by six athletes across three divisions in CVIO3* competition held June 20-23. Alicen Divita, Elizabeth Ioannou, and Mary Garrett will look to earn top Individual Female honors, while in Individual Male competition Kristian Roberts is the sole U.S. representative. In Pas de Deux competition, Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer look to showcase their talent.

Individual Female

A total of 29 competitors from 15 nations will vie for top honors in the Individual Female division at the CVIO3*. On Friday morning, they kick off competition in the Preis of Sparkasse where all entries will complete their Compulsory Tests. The vaulters will then return later in the afternoon to complete their Technical Tests in the Prize of Sparkasse. Final places will be decided Saturday in Preis of Sparkasse competition where Freestyle Tests are performed.

Divita (Redwood City, CA) will use the experience earned from competing twice in World Championship competition as she looks to secure a top finish in Aachen. At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, she earned a seventh place finish in her first international championship. Last year, Divita represented the U.S. at the FEI World Vaulting Championship in Le Mans, France, finishing in 11th place.

The 24-year-old will look to improve upon her 2012 10th place finish in Aachen this year as she vaults on her mother Julie Divita’s Pino del Rio. The combination looks to showcase the form that earned them third place in the Krumke CVI3* two weeks ago.

Ioannou (Saratoga, CA) will vault on Lasse Kristensen and Emma Seely’s Jarl at her second appearance in Aachen. In 2006, she vaulted on the F.A.M.E. team that won Silver for the U.S. at the FEI World Equestrian Games that were hosted at the prestigious German venue. Vaulting in Individual competition, Ioannou earned a second place finish in the Chilliwack CVI3* in 2012. This year she has collected wins at the Great Falls Vaulter, Topaz Vaulters Spring Fest, and Garrod’s 2013 Spring Classic competitions.

Garrett (Seal Beach, CA) is no stranger to success at the top levels, having helped the U.S. capture Team Gold at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2012, she vaulted to the Reserve Champion honors at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship. Garrett began 2013 with a second place finish at the Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic.

In Aachen, Garrett will vault on Renz Wolfgang’s Leon 364.

Kristian Roberts (Shannon Brinkman)
Kristian Roberts (Shannon Brinkman)

Individual Male

In Individual Male competition Roberts (Moss Beach, CA) is one of 17 entries representing 10 nations. Competition begins Friday morning with the Compulsory Test in the Prize of Sparkasse and continues later in the day as competitors perform their Prize of Sparkasse Technical Tests. Competition concludes Saturday as the Prize of Sparkasse Freestyle Tests are executed.

Roberts is making his second appearance in Aachen after having placed eighth in 2012. In addition, he also represented the U.S. at the FEI World Vaulting Championship and added the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championship title to his name last year.

The 20-year-old prepared for the Aachen CVIO3* with a ninth place finish at the Krumke CVI3*. This weekend he will also vault on Wolfgang’s Leon 364.

Pas de Deux

In Pas de Deux competition, sisters Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer (Half Moon Bay, CA) look to continue the trend of strong U.S. results in the division after American pairs claimed second and third places in Aachen last year. In 2013, they will be among a field of six combinations from four nations. Prize of Sparkasse Pas de Deux competition begins Saturday with the first of two Freestyle Tests. Winners will be crowned Sunday following the second Freestyle Test.

Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer (Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography)
Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer (Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography)

The Palmers will vault on Wolfgang’s Leon 364 as they strive to earn top honors in Aachen. In 2010, they joined forces to win the Pas de Deux at the Chilliwack CVI2*. They prepared for their first trip to Aachen with a second place finish at the Krumke CVI3*.

To learn more about CHIO Aachen, visit: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Vaulting Team here.

Eventing/H.T., USEF

BallyNoe Castle RM Withdrawn from Aachen CIC03*; Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water Named to Team

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has updated the entry for the Aachen CICO3*. Due to veterinary reasons Buck Davidson has withdrawn Cassandra Segal’s BallyNoe Castle RM from the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Aachen CICO3*. The pair has been replaced on the CICO3* Team by Marilyn Little and Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water, who originally were slated to compete as individuals.

The following four combinations have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Aachen CICO3* (listed in Alphabetical Order):

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) on Jatial LLC’s Ringwood Magister
Ringwood Magister is a 2001 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) on Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow
Pawlow is a 1999 Irish Thoroughbred gelding

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) on Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water
RF Smoke on the Water is a 2005 Wurttemburger gelding

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) on Jessica Montgomery’s Universe
Universe is a 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Combinations named to the CICO3* Team at Aachen will receive Land Rover Competition Grants.

The Aachen CICO3* will be held during CHIO Aachen in Germany, June 27-29, 2013.

2013 is the first time the United States has fielded an eventing team to compete at the prestigious German competition.

To learn more about the CHIO Aachen, visit: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/programm-sport.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Dressage, USEF

USEF Announces Dressage Combinations to Represent the U.S. at CHIO Aachen

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the following four horse-and-rider combinations to the U.S. Dressage Team for the Aachen CDIO5* held during CHIO Aachen in Germany, June 26-30, 2013. Additionally, two Small Tour combinations have been named to represent the U.S. in CDI4* competition. In 2013, the United States will also be represented for the first time in CDI-U25 competition.

The following four combinations have been named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the Aachen CDIO5* (listed in alphabetical order):

Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) on Ann Romney, Amy Ebeling, and Beth Meyers’ Rafalca
Rafalca is a 1997 Oldenburg mare

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) on Patricia Stempel’s Doktor
Doktor is a 2003 Oldenburg gelding

Tina Konyot (Palm City, FL) on her own Calecto V
Calecto V is a 1998 Danish Warmblood stallion

Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) on Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92
Legolas 92 is a 2002 Westphalian gelding

All four combinations have been awarded grants from the USEF for European competition, with funding for the grants made possible by the USET Foundation. Learn more about the grants here.

The following two combinations have been named to represent the United States in Small Tour competition in the Aachen CDI4* (listed in alphabetical order):

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) on Patricia Stempel’s Danilo
Danilo is a 2004 Hanoverian gelding

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) on her own Her Highness O
Her Highness O is a 2003 Hanoverian mare

The following combination has been named to represent the United States in the Aachen CDI-U25:

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) on Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF
Sagacious HF is a 1999 Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding

To learn more about the CHIO Aachen, visit: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/programm-sport.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

Eventing/H.T., USEF

USEF Announces Land Rover US Eventing Team and Reserves for CHIO Aachen

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the  following four horse-and-rider combinations to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Aachen CICO3* held during CHIO Aachen in Germany, June 27-29, 2013. Additionally, two combinations have been named as reserves. This will be the first time the United States has fielded an eventing team to compete at the prestigious German competition.

The following four combinations have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Aachen CICO3* (listed in alphabetical order):

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) on Jatial LLC’s Ringwood Magister
Ringwood Magister is a 2001 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) on Cassandra Segal’s Ballynoe Castle RM
Ballynoe Castle RM is a 2000 Irish Thoroughbred gelding

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) on Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow
Pawlow is a 1999 Irish Thoroughbred gelding

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) on Jessica Montgomery’s Universe
Universe is a 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding

The following two combinations have been named as reserves to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Aachen CICO3* (listed in alphabetical order):

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) on Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water
RF Smoke on the Water is a 2005 Wurttemburger gelding

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Bill and Holly Becker’s Loughan Glen
Loughan Glen is a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding

The USEF is applying to the Organizing Committee of CHIO Aachen for an individual slot which if granted may be offered to a reserve combination.

Combinations named to the CICO3* Team at Aachen will receive Land Rover Competition Grants.

To learn more about the CHIO Aachen, visit: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/programm-sport.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Three Greatest Equestrian Shows Combine to Create €1M Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

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26 April 2013 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Three of the world’s greatest equestrian shows – the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva – have joined forces to create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the Grand Prix at each show in succession. The winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be rewarded with a €1 million bonus prize.

Each of the three prestigious and historic equestrian shows in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has a long tradition of sporting excellence.

This joint creation by the three shows has been devised as a means to set the ultimate equestrian challenge; as a long-term partner to Aachen, Spruce Meadows and Geneva, Rolex quickly appreciated the significance of the Grand Slam and is honoured to become the exclusive partner.

Eric Lamaze, the only rider to have won the Grand Prix at each of the three shows on the same horse, said: “There are many great events on the Show Jumping calendar, but the three Grands Prix that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are without doubt the ones which the riders all want to win during their careers.

Winning even one leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is an incredible and career-changing achievement; to win all three in a 12-month period would create a legend of the sport overnight.”

Commenting on the title sponsorship, Arnaud Boetsch, Communication & Image Director of Rolex SA, said: “Throughout our history, Rolex has been driven by tradition and excellence, so when the three shows approached us with the idea of the Grand Slam of Show Jumping, we quickly appreciated its global resonance and degree of difficulty, which would make it achievable by only the very best horse-and rider partnerships. As a long-term partner of these three shows, we were delighted to add our support to create the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”

Michael Mronz, President of the Steering Committee of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping for 2013, said: “The three shows that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping not only have a natural synergy, but also a mutual respect for each other’s remarkable achievements and history. The collective desire and vision of all three shows to combine and form a pioneering concept such as the Grand Slam of Show Jumping seemed like the natural thing to do.

“Due to their long-standing commitment to equestrian sport, Rolex was at the forefront of all three shows’ minds as a potential partner to the Grand Slam of Show Jumping, and we were all delighted when they accepted our invitation to develop it.”

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will become the riders’ ultimate achievement, setting a new standard for the sport worldwide.

Three Historic Shows United

CHIO Aachen

The German show can trace its history back to 1898 when local people from the Aachen region came together to form the “Laurensberger Rennverein”, its main aim to organise horse races that would bring entertainment to the people of Aachen. It was in the 1920s that the show moved to its current location, the show grounds of Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein. Since this time, CHIO Aachen has grown into an internationally recognised event with riders, horses and spectators travelling to the show from around the globe.

More recently in 2005, the Aachen show grounds were completely renovated for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, which saw the capacity of the Jumping stadium increased to 40,000. The show and city itself is now very much known throughout the world as the capital of equestrian. Rolex has been a partner to the show since 1999.

CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains in the early 1970s. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade.

Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and is a true favourite with rider and horse alike. Rolex began its association with Spruce Meadows in 1989.

CHI Geneva

Established in 1926, the first show featured 85 riders and 158 horses; a year later in 1927 the show joined the FEI Nations Cup circuit; and in 1979 CHI Geneva became part of the FEI World Cup Jumping series. CHI Geneva has been chosen to host nine of the 12 IJRC Top 10 Finals to date, and has won L’Année Hippique’s award for the best indoor show five times.

In 1991 the show moved to its current home, the Palexpo, which is the world’s largest indoor equestrian arena, drawing in larger crowds year on year. A decade later and the show played host to the first ever Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, which is still held at the CHI Geneva today. Rolex has been a partner to the show since 1996.

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – The Rules

The rules of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are simple: any rider that wins the Grand Prix at each of the three shows consecutively will receive €1m on top of the prize-money for each show’s Grand Prix. Moreover, any rider that wins two out of the three shows’ Grands Prix will also receive a bonus.

If the Grands Prix at two shows are won in succession, the bonus will be €500,000. If a rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode”, but doesn’t claim the victories at two consecutive shows’ Grands Prix, the bonus will be €250,000. It is only the rider that counts, not the horse i.e. it is possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. This system is infinite; it is not limited to a calendar year.

Three wins in a row                                                                                 →               €1,000,000
Two wins in a row                                                                                   →               €500,000
Two wins out of three (not consecutively)                                →               €250,000

Past Winners

The Grand Prix class at CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva has never been won consecutively by the same rider over a 12-month period. However, three riders have won all three competitions, notably Eric Lamaze (CAN), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Ludger Beerbaum (GER).

Eric Lamaze
Aachen – 2010 (Hickstead)
Spruce Meadows – 2011 (Hickstead); 2007 (Hickstead)
Geneva – 2008 (Hickstead)

Rodrigo Pessoa
Aachen – 1994 (LP Special Envoy)
Spruce Meadows – 2001 (Gandini Lianos); 2000 (Gandini Lianos)
Geneva – 2004 (Baloubet du Rouet); 2002 (Baloubet du Rouet); 2000 (Gandini Lianos); 1993 (LP Special Envoy)

Ludger Beerbaum
Aachen – 2003 (Goldfever III); 2002 (Goldfever III); 1996 (Ratina Z)
Spruce Meadows – 2002 (Goldfever III)
Geneva – 2007 (All Inclusive); 1999 (Champion du Lys)

Websites

www.rolex.com
www.rolexgrandslam.com

Media Enquiries

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 22 302 26 19

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7770 647 662

CHIO Aachen
Niels Knippertz
press@rolexgrandslam.com
+49 241 9171 180

CSIO Spruce Meadows
Katie Macleod
katie.macleod@sprucemeadows.com
+1 403 974 4232

CHI Geneva
Corinne Druey
druey@syntagme-lausanne.ch
+41 21 312 82 22

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Michael Whitaker (GBR) Won the Rolex Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2012

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8th July 2012 – Riding GIG Amai, Whitaker won the title following two clear rounds, and was fastest in the jump-off with a time of 49.73 seconds. In 2nd place was Thomas Voss (GER) riding Carinjo, and 3rd place was Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) riding Bella Donna.

For the full results please visit: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/starterlisten?iEventId=971&sListLabel=Results%20S17&bNonMobilePage=true.

Competitions, Events, USEF, Vaulting

American Vaulters Make a Strong Showing in Aachen

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Pas de Deux pair Rosalind Ross and Devon Maitozo competing earlier this year at CVI Woodside (Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com)

Lexington, KY – Vaulting competition at CHIO Aachen in Germany concluded Sunday afternoon with the American contingent proving itself to be near the top of the world game.

U.S. Pas de Deux vaulters made an especially strong showing. Devon Maitozo and Rosalind Ross finished in 2nd place with an overall score of 8.372 and had by far the best score (9.100) for their artistic execution. Devon and Rosalind were both members of the Gold Medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky in 2010. Devon was also the coach of that team and Individual Gold Medalist at WEG in Rome in 1998. Finishing 3rd with an overall score of 8.300 was another member of that WEG 2012 Gold Medal winning team, Blake Dahlgren, and his partner Megan Benjamin. Megan was the Individual Gold Medalist at WEG in Aachen in 2006. The winning pair, Great Britain’s formidable Joanne Eccles and Hannah Eccles, was the only other pair to score above 8.0.

2012 will be the first time that the Pas de Deux event is part of the World Vaulting Championships. Both U.S. pairs that competed in Aachen will represent the U.S. at the World Championships.

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