Tag Archives: Rolex

The Making of Spruce Meadows – The Final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Film

5 September 2013 – The world renowned Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament started on 8th September, and marks the second show of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Following the release of two special films dedicated to celebrating this significant occasion, Rolex has released the third and final film.

In the concluding film of the series, Eric Lamaze, Linda Southern-Heathcott and Ian Allison identify the different components that make the course and competition at Spruce Meadows world famous.

View all three films on the World of Rolex YouTube channel

OR

Download a high resolution version of the film

To support the partnership with Spruce Meadows and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has also produced a dedicated press pack which provides detailed information on the brand’s equestrian sponsorship and the background to its long-term relationship with the sport.

The Rolex press pack can be downloaded here.

For further media information, please contact:
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

A Long History of Family Tradition at Spruce Meadows

The second in a series of Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping films

30 August 2013 – Rolex has today released the second in a series of films celebrating the start of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, taking place in Calgary from 4-8 September, and its involvement in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. In the film, Linda Southern-Heathcott, President of Spruce Meadows, and whose parents founded and created the venue, and Senior Vice President Ian Allison outline the long family history of the show and how the traditions that Spruce Meadows was built on are still evident today.

The film is copyright free and available to use on websites by linking to, or downloading from, the links below:

Link to the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping website.

OR

Download a high resolution version of the film.

The final film will be released in the next few days.

To support the partnership with Spruce Meadows and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has also produced a dedicated press pack which provides detailed information on the brand’s equestrian sponsorship and the background to its long-term relationship with the sport.

The Rolex press pack can be downloaded here.

For further media information, please contact:
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Rolex Creates Three New Films to Celebrate Start of Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament

Wednesday 28 August 2013 – Following the launch of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping at the CHIO Aachen in June 2013, Rolex has released three new films to mark the next stage of the competition at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. The films feature Eric Lamaze, winner of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Grand Prix in 2007 & 2011; Linda Southern-Heathcott, Spruce Meadows’ President; and Ian Allison, Spruce Meadows’ Senior Vice President.

All three films are copyright free and available to use on websites by linking to, or downloading from, the links below.

The first of the three films sees Rolex Testimonee, Eric Lamaze, describe why he finds Spruce Meadows such an exciting venue, and what makes it such a fitting location for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Link to the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping website.

OR

Download a high resolution version of the film.

The next two films will be released in the coming days.

To support the partnership with Spruce Meadows and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has also produced a dedicated press pack which provides detailed information on the brand’s equestrian sponsorship and the background to its long-term relationship with the sport.

The Rolex press pack can be downloaded here.

For further media information, please contact:
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Rolex Releases Exclusive Films in Build-up to Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen

To celebrate the CHIO Aachen and the first event of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has produced three films featuring Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in 2005; Frank Kemperman, CHIO Aachen Show Director; and Michael Mronz, President of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Steering Committee for 2013.

In the first of the three films, Rolex Testimonee Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum explains why the CHIO Aachen is such a special place and what impact the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will have on the sport.

http://youtu.be/sJsNDjqrZYY

In the second film, Frank Kemperman and Michael Mronz talk about the eight historic decades of equestrian sport in Aachen, how the venue has changed, and how the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is a natural progression for the sport.

http://youtu.be/bzzF0gQ8Cfo

In the third film, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Frank Kemperman, and Michael Mronz outline how they all prepare for the highlight of their year: the CHIO Aachen and the Rolex Grand Prix.

http://youtu.be/_PfkG_fF1Fk

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

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

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

Sparkling Line-Up of Jumping Super-Stars for Rolex Final

America’s Rich Fellers (centre) is pictured on the podium after victory at last season’s Rolex Final alongside Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (left) who finished in runner-up spot and Pius Schwizer (right) who slotted into third place.

Lausanne (SUI), 19 April 2013 – With just days to go to the opening of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Final at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, there is already a sizzle of excitement. This most treasured series will end its 35th season in the place where it all began when Austria’s Hugo Simon was crowned the very first champion back in 1979 on Gladstone. And this year’s Final line-up is a spectacular one, including London 2012 individual Olympic gold medalist Steve Guerdat from Switzerland amongst a host of other stars.

A total of 39 riders from 17 countries will be chasing the crown of crowns that is the Rolex title, and they all start out on equal terms on the opening day. They have emerged from 16 qualifying leagues around the globe and represent a myriad of continents and cultures, but they all have one thing in common – their horsemanship has secured their place amongst the elite of the sport, providing them with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talent on the greatest indoor stage on the world circuit.

Exceptionally Powerful

All eyes will be on the exceptionally powerful US squad this time around. And the biggest question will be whether the extraordinary stallion Flexible, now 17 years young, can retain the crown he claimed in style last year at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) for Rich Fellers.

Repeat wins are nothing new to this prestigious annual tournament. America’s Conrad Homfeld was the first to achieve the distinction when, following his victory with Balbuco in 1980, he secured it again five years later riding Abdullah, while the legendary Canadian, Ian Millar, quickly followed with back-to-back titles in 1988 and 1989 partnering the wonderful Big Ben.

Everything in the history of the FEI World Cup Jumping series has a vintage quality. The roll of honour reads like a “who’s who” of the sport down the years, and victory is worn like a badge of pride by each successive generation. Who wouldn’t want to have their name engraved alongside those of back-to-back double champions John Whitaker and Milton from Great Britain, or the three-time winners Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil, Germany’s Marcus Ehning and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, and Hugo Simon who added two further titles to the one he clinched in that very first season. Pessoa holds a unique record, as his hat-trick was achieved over three consecutive years with the same super-stallion, Baloubet du Rouet.

Dominant Nations

In the early years, the series was dominated by Americans, who won seven times between 1979 and 1987. It took 25 years for Fellers to haul the trophy back to the USA, thanks in no small way to the courage and tenacity of his stallion who was written off more than once during his career but who always clawed his way back. Now that the drought has come to an end, the US squad will be loath to loosen their grip, and they are coming out next week with a formidable 11-strong crew that includes double Olympic team gold medalists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden, and their new shining star, 18-year-old Reed Kessler, who made history last year as the youngest rider ever to compete for the USA equestrian team at an Olympic Games, and is now on the crest of a wave having finished second at the Saut Hermes CSI5* in Paris last weekend.

Germany holds the record for most wins in the series, with nine in total. However, last year’s win for Fellers brought the US tally to eight, so there is plenty of pressure on the German contingent to keep their noses out in front. With Marcus Ehning, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, 2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping champion Christian Ahlmann and Hans-Dieter Dreher, the German effort won’t be lacking in experience or horse-power.

Quality Field

With Kevin Staut, Penelope Leprevost and Roger-Yves Bost lining out for France, Denis Lynch and Shane Sweetnam flying the Irish flag, and Marc Houtzager and Ludo Philippaerts competing for The Netherlands, the class of the field is in no doubt. Olympic champion, Guerdat, is accompanied by fellow-Swiss Pius Schwizer, whose impressive record over recent Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping seasons includes equal-second in 2010 and third place at the 2012 Finals, while Spain’s sole representative, Sergio Alvarez Moya, is a man to be reckoned with. He won the hotly-contested Western European League after a superb indoor season.

Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks, Poland’s Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski and Russia’s Anna Gromzina represent Central Europe, while the Arab League contenders are Qatar’s Ali bin Khalid Al Thani and Bassem Hassan Mohammed. Egypt’s Nayel Nasser qualified as winner of the North American series, while Santiago Medina will compete for Colombia. Raena Leung will compete for Hong Kong, and along with Portugal’s Luciana Diniz and Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, brings the number of female contenders to 12 this year. Just four lady riders have won the FEI World Cup Jumping title, and three of those – Melanie Smith (1982), Leslie Burr Lenehan (1986) and Katharine Burdsall (1987) – flew the flag for the USA. The fourth lady champion and three-time winner, Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, also has a significant link with the US as she was born in Los Angeles, California.

Swedish Sweetheart

But if it is time for another lady to take the spoils, then perhaps the moment has arrived for Malin Baryard-Johnsson. The 38-year-old sweetheart of the Swedish sporting public is always highly competitive and, on home turf, will be battling harder than ever. Team silver medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, she missed out on London 2012 due to a late injury to her horse, but she has been continually placed throughout the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series and is hungrier than ever for success.

The rest of the Swedish contingent are also an impressive bunch, including the consistent Jens Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann, who has been showing superb form with the mare Gotha, and reigning FEI European champion Rolf-Goran Bengtsson.

Sweden has never taken the FEI World Cup Jumping title. This could be the moment, and the story will unfurl as the Final gets underway next Thursday evening with the opening speed class, followed by Friday’s two-rounder and Sunday’s thrilling decider.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat – watch all the excitement on www.feitv.org:

Competition 1: Thursday, 25 April 18.25 CEST
Competition 2: Friday, 26 April 18.25 CEST
The Final: Sunday, 28 April 13.30 CEST

Facts and Figures

This is the 35th season of FEI World Cup Jumping, and the Final takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden for the 13th time.

Rolex took up title sponsorship of the FEI World Cup Jumping series in 2007.

A total of 479 riders from 50 nations have competed at the FEI World Cup Jumping Finals since the series started back in 1978.

The USA holds the record for the greatest number of competitors over the years, with 107 in total. Next in line is Germany with a relatively modest 47.

Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker holds the record for most participations at FEI World Cup Jumping Finals having competed on 22 occasions.

39 athletes from 17 countries will be in action.

Seven qualifying leagues will be represented – Western Europe, South America North, North America East, North America West, Chinese League, Central European League and Arab League. Riders from 16 leagues around the globe competed in the qualifying rounds.

Four riders have won the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping title on three occasions: Germany’s Marcus Ehning (2003, 2006, 2010), Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (2005, 2008, 2009), Austria’s Hugo Simon (1979, 1996, 1997) and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa (1998, 1999, 2000).

Only four lady riders have ever clinched the title, and three of those – Melanie Smith (1982), Leslie Burr Lenehan (1986) and Katharine Burdsall (1987) flew the flag for the USA.

The fourth lady champion and three-time winner, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, competes for Germany but originally hails from Los Angeles in California, USA.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2012/2013 in Gothenburg, Sweden (24-28 April), check out www.gothenburghorseshow.com.

By Louise Parkes

Gothenburg Media Contacts:

At Gothenburg

Mayvor Thorin
+46 31 368 43 49
mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se

Lotta Amnestal
+46 709 795635
lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 78 750 61 45

Dreher and Magnus Romeo Bag Victory in Bordeaux

Hans-Dieter Dreher and Magnus Romeo won the eleventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 series. Photo: FEI/Christophe Bricot

Bordeaux (FRA), 9 February 2013 – Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher and the stallion, Magnus Romeo, secured the biggest victory of their career together when topping the eleventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2012/2013 series at Bordeaux, France tonight.  In a dramatic eight-horse jump-off, they pipped the increasingly impressive partnership of Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and Gotha FRH for the honours, while host nation representative, Penelope Leprevost, slotted into third with Nayana.

Tonight’s result has also earned the winning rider a spot at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Final which will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden at the end of April.  “This will be my first time to make it to the Final, so I’m very happy about that, and my horse is in super form!” Dreher said.

Fair and Not Too Big

He described the first-round track set by Italy’s Uliano Vezzani as “fair and not too big”, but it certainly presented plenty of problems for many of the 39 starters.  As Leprevost said afterwards, “When we walked the course it didn’t seem too difficult, but with Uliano you always know there is something to think about!”, and so it turned out.

Continue reading Dreher and Magnus Romeo Bag Victory in Bordeaux

Check Out the 2013 Featured Riders

Jennie Brannigan

Take a sneak peak at who is already preparing for the trip to Rolex Kentucky this year. Whether it is their first time to Rolex Kentucky or not, each tale is unique and inspiring to follow.  Read more about your favorite horse and rider in this week’s featured riders installment!

Jennie Brannigan – Cambalda

I’m sure most people can recount their first Rolex visit. For me it was in 2003, when the torrential rain flooded the course.  I was 14, I believe, and I was quite fortunate to be Allison Springer’s first working student at the time.

I’ll tell you that the one real thing I remember now, 11 years later, about that weekend was watching eventing legend…

Click to read more about Jennie!

Continue reading Check Out the 2013 Featured Riders

Ahlmann and Taloubet Are Awesome in Leipzig

Christian Ahlmann steered his 2011 series champion Taloubet Z to victory in the exciting ninth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League. Photo: FEI/Thomas Hellmann

Leipzig (GER), 20 January 2013 – Germany’s Christian Ahlmann showed exactly why he holds No. 1 position on the Jumping World Rankings when trouncing the opposition in the ninth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League series at Leipzig, Germany today.  In the ten-horse jump-off against the clock he was in a class of his own with the brilliant Taloubet Z who set an unbeatable target when sixth to go.  And it was a spectacular hat-trick for the partnership who took the Rolex title at the 2011 Final and also won last year’s qualifier at this same venue.

Runner-up was Ireland’s Denis Lynch with the big gelding, Abbervail van het Dingeshof, while Olympic individual silver medallists, The Netherlands’ Gerco Schroder and London, finished third.  On an afternoon when many of the top riders were further testing some newer horses in their strings, it was Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer who slotted into fourth ahead of Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander and Ego van Orti in fifth place.

A total of 40 horse-and-rider combinations contested this class, and it was always going to be a tough one to win as the starting line-up included nine of the top ten in the World Rankings.  With the series now moving towards the closing stages, and with just three further qualifiers to go, the battle for a qualifying spot at the Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in April is intensifying with every round. And course designer, Germany’s Frank Rothenburger, tested them with a track that demanded rider skills all the way to the final fence.

Continue reading Ahlmann and Taloubet Are Awesome in Leipzig

Sweden’s Von Eckermann Is Victorious in Mechelen with Gotha

Henrik von Eckermann and Gotha FRH on their way to victory in the eighth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton

Mechelen (BEL), 30 December 2012 – Henrik von Eckermann secured an important first win in the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series when coming out on top in the eighth leg of the 2012/2013 Western European League at Mechelen in Belgium today. And it was a particularly good day for Swedish riders as the 31-year-old’s compatriot, Jens Fredricson, finished third behind runner-up Francois Mathy Jr from Belgium.

From a starting field of 40, a total of nine made the cut into the second-round jump-off in which von Eckermann clearly demonstrated the qualities that saw German legend, Ludger Beerbaum, offer him the opportunity to join his team nine years ago.  With great skill, and astute judgement, the Swede steered Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s mare, Gotha FRH, to success over a jump-off course that tested balance, control and turning skills.  “I hope to keep the ride on her for a while now!” he said of the 11-year-old horse which has been campaigned by Beerbaum in recent years.

Continue reading Sweden’s Von Eckermann Is Victorious in Mechelen with Gotha