Inside the Rolex Grand Slam – TSCHIO Aachen 2026

Richard Vogel, United Touch S, The Dutch Masters 2026 © Helen Cruden

From 22 to 24 May 2026, the TSCHIO Aachen will welcome the world’s leading show jumpers for the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year. Staged in a one-off format and taking place earlier in the year than typically held, the event will be more compact than usual while retaining the world-class sport, atmosphere, and tradition for which Aachen is renowned.

As one of the four Majors that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the TSCHIO Aachen stands alongside The Dutch Masters, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and the CHI Geneva as one of the sport’s most prestigious events. The 2026 edition will see an elite field of international riders compete in the legendary Main Stadium, where victory in the Rolex Grand Prix remains one of the most coveted achievements in show jumping.

Competition begins on Friday 22 May with the Prize of Soers, followed by the opening class of the Youngster Tour, giving the next generation of horses the opportunity to compete in one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Later that day, attention will turn to the first qualifier for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix, with riders looking to make an early impression and secure their route towards the weekend’s pinnacle class.

Saturday’s programme continues with the second competition of the Youngster Tour, before the Prize of CHIO Aachen CAMPUS adds further CSI5* sport to the schedule. The MERKUR CASINO-Cup will bring one of Aachen’s most distinctive classes to the Main Stadium, combining show jumping and carriage driving in a format that reflects the breadth and character of the event. The second qualifier for the Rolex Grand Prix follows on Saturday afternoon, offering combinations a further opportunity to secure their place in Sunday’s showcase.

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, currently World No. 3 and 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, currently World No. 8, 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. 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, led by World No. 1 Kent Farrington, who returned to the top of the world rankings earlier this month. Farrington 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 Scott Brash, the only rider to have claimed the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Currently World No. 2, 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.

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