The incredible week that is CHIO Aachen culminates with one of the greatest grand prix events on the global calendar, the 1.70m Rolex Grand Prix. Forty of the very best jumping combinations in the world come forward to battle it out for a €1,000,000 prize pool. The class is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, which is comprised of four major competitions: CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows, CHI Geneva and The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Any rider who succeeds in winning three of these events in succession receives a €1,000,000 bonus on top of the class prize money. If the rider subsequently wins the fourth event of the series, they take home another €1,000,000 bonus. Should a rider win two of the four major events in succession, they take home a €500,000 bonus; two of the four not in direct succession comes with a €250,000 bonus. These bonuses are granted to the rider, and a rider may compete over the course of the Grand Slam on multiple horses.
The two riders eligible for a Grand Slam bonus in the 2019 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen are Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, and Sameh el Dahan of Egypt. Von Eckermann was the winner of the most recent of the major events in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and is therefore eligible for the major Grand Slam bonus. El Dahan is eligible for the ‘two of the four’ bonus, after claiming victory at Spruce Meadows in September.
On Saturday, the day before the Grand Prix event, Henrik von Eckermann announced that he was withdrawing from the event, and thus forfeiting any chance he had of the major bonus, on the grounds that he did not want to put undue pressure on his wonderful horse Toveks Mary Lou (Montendro x Portland L). The mare jumped her heart out on Thursday evening for a spectacular double clear in the Nations Cup, clinching victory for the Swedish team. Von Eckermann stated: “For the moment I only have Toveks Mary Lou for the biggest classes, and she jumped Thursday’s Nations Cup to qualify for the Grand Prix. In the Nations Cup, she fought for me like I never felt before and worked very hard for those two clear rounds – especially in that second round, that was even bigger than the first one. I honestly have to say I was very happy when that last fence was jumped. My immediate gut feel coming out of the ring was that those two rounds were enough for this weekend.”
Henrik and Mary Lou in the Nations Cup… (Photo – KH Frieler)
It is so wonderful to see such genuine good horsemanship from one of the all-time greats. An example for us all.
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Winner of last years’ Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen was Germany’s Marcus Ehning with Pret A Tout (Hiram Chambertin x Stew Boy). Marcus comes forward this year to defend his title, this time riding Funky Fred (For Pleasure x Pilot).
A brief analysis of the start list tells us that this year’s Rolex Grand Prix is absolutely dominated by the genetic influence of current WBFSH #14 jumping sire Quidam de Revel: Quidam is the sire of three on the start list, in addition to being the grandsire of four. For Pleasure is the sire of two, and the grandsire of one. Four other stallions each sire two in the line-up, while being grandsire of none: Balou du Rouet, Cornet Obolensky, Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve and Chacco-Blue. An honourable mention goes to the mighty Baloubet du Rouet, while only being the direct sire of one, he is the grand sire of a massive five starters. The most represented studbook in the Grand Prix start list is the KWPN with seven of the forty starters (17.5%), followed by BWP (15%) and Selle Français (12.5%). A total of 14 different studbooks were represented in the competition.
As the competition is about to get underway, there is not a single seat in the stadium free or an inch of standing room unoccupied. The course looks absolutely massive, and the anticipation is high. From the outset it looks like the combination 3AB is going to be influential; two verticals set at 1.65m in height, two strides apart, both over large water trays and right up against the edge of the lake. Also, the open water line looks tricky: a big shiny gold double 6AB of oxer, one short stride, vertical, then six strides to a big open water at 7, then a slightly curved five strides to a big vertical at 8. Right at the end of the track as the second last obstacle we see the treble combination 13ABC: a 1.70m oxer, two strides to a 1.60m vertical, one stride to another 1.70m oxer.
First out on course is the ‘two of four’ bonus contender Sameh el Dahan (EGY) with Suma’s Zorro (Douglas x Horos XX); unbelievably they have fence two down, they land very close to the tape on the water at fence seven but are ok, they give 10 a big rattle but it stays, but then their luck runs out when they land on the back rail of 13C. Eight faults. It is clear this track is going to test these horses and riders to their limits.
Scott and Hello Jefferson
Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Jefferson (Cooper van de Heffinck x Irco Mena) are second on course, and the leggy bay with the springy jump has 3B down, as well as exceeding the time allowed. Five faults.
Third in the ring we have Sven Schlüsselburg (GER) Bud Spencer 7 (Artiest de Wynckel x Azett); this is a combination that I know very little about, but the grey has a lovely canter and a big jump, and is so clever through all the tricky combinations, and they come home clear with just two time to add! I think we will be seeing a lot more of this combination at the top of the sport in the future.
Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 (Forsyth FRH x Drosselklang II) have such an unbelievable partnership; Eric does not yet look but at the top of his game after a major health setback, but he and the mare just have so much trust in each other it is really beautiful to watch. They just roll down fence four in front to complete on four faults.
Next we see Laura Kraut and Curious George (Codex One x Dutch Capitol) representing the United States. This gelding seemed really uncomfortable in the main arena in Thursday night’s Nations Cup event, and he seems even more unsettled this evening. He does a big spook coming into 3A which results in an ugly fall of both horse and rider. After a very tense moment they both get up and are able to walk out of the arena relatively unscathed. Falls like that are never fun to watch.
Steve and Bianca
Number nine in the draw world number one Steve Guerdat (SUI) with Albfuehren’s Bianca (Balou du Rouet x Cardento); this mare is so stylish over the fence and is sharp like a cat. Unfortunately, they get too close to the vertical at 12 and it falls, but a very good round to leave them on four faults.
Next we see another daughter of Balou, Babalou 41 (Balou du Rouet x Silvio I) with Ireland’s Darragh Kenney. This mare practically does a handstand over every fence, her technique is so incredible behind. They are excellent through the difficult open water line, and despite a little rattle at 13B they are home safe and give us our first clear round under the time allowed.
The stadium goes whisper quiet as local hero Marcus Ehning comes in aboard Funky Fred (For Pleasure x Pilot). They rattle fence five, and give a little touch to number eight, but they are putting in an excellent round and the crowd is starting to get excited… and then the last comes down!! No one can quite believe it, exactly the same thing happened in Thursday nights’ Nations Cup! The German master finishes on four.
Jur Vrieling (NED) and Davall (Zavall VDL x Indorado) put in a surprise stop at 3A, and the Dutchman elects to retire rather than represent.
Martin and Clooney
It is not until number 16 in the draw that we get our next clear, from Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Clooney 51 (Cornet Obolensky x Ferragamo). The gelding has a little look at 3A, and lands close to the tape of the water, but they come home clear and the crowd roars their appreciation.
Next in the ring is France’s Kevin Staut and Urhelia Lutterbach (Helios de la Cour II x Emilion), and this mare too hesitates at 3A, but Kevin encourages her through, they rattle 6A, they rattle nine, they rattle 13B and the last! But they are home with a somewhat lucky clear!
Kent Farrington and Gazelle (Photo – KH Frieler)
We then have to wait until number 21 for our next clear, with Kent Farrington (USA) and the super sharp little mare Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro) putting in an excellent round for a clear. The American really gave her the most fabulous ride, and it will be really great to see these two back in the next round.
Cian O’Connor (IRE) and Irenice Horta (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Diamant de Semilly) put in a wonderful clear round in Thursday evening’s Nations Cup first round, however the mare seems a little tense today. She backs right off 3A, they hit the rail and it bounces right out and then back into the cups, then both 6A and B come down and Cian elects to retire.
Jerome Guery (BEL) and Quel Homme de Hus (Quidam de Revel x Candillo) put in an absolutely foot-perfect round to come home with zero penalties.
Fit for Fun and Luciana (Photo – KH Frieler)
My personal favourite horse on the international jumping scene is the plucky little mare Fit For Fun (For Pleasure x Fabriano), and with Luciana Diniz of Portugal in the saddle they skip around the course to what appears to be an easy clear round. But then much to everyone’s dismay the water flag goes up! They must have been oh so close, and just had the tiniest bit of heel on the tape. But after much consideration from both water judges it is declared that the faults stand, and the combination disappointingly finish on four.
Darling of the crowd is the current world champion Simone Blum and DSP Alice (Askari x Landrebell), and this modern-looking mare is so clever, making light work of the difficult combinations and related lines to come home with a really sweet clear. They even get a standing ovation by some in the crowd for their efforts!
The big powerful stallion Iron Man van de Padenborre (Darco x Chin Chin) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) take fence 6B with the hind legs and fence eight in front, and they elect to retire.
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Another combination to come unstuck at the 3AB combination was the seasoned Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) and Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (L’Arc de Triomphe x Apache d’Adriers). They have a big mistake coming into the first element, which leads to them paddling through both A and B; the horse was such a trier to keep going, and Eduardo makes the sensible decision to call it a day.
Next in the arena is Britain’s Ben Maher and Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) who are hot off a major win earlier in the week. Every time I watch this gelding jump I am absolutely blown away by his technique over the fences, its quite incredible to witness. He too backs off at 3A but gets through ok. They are a little close to the water, and they give the last a big rattle, but they are home clear!
Second last on course in the first round is HH Azur (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui) and McLain Ward for the United States. This mare is so noble and has so much presence! They cut a stride out in the related distance four to five and come home with a quick clear.
Last out is another crowd favourite, local Daniel Deusser and the very pretty stallion Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Mr. Blue). Daniel gives the horse a beautiful ride and they put in a technically perfect round, to be another one through to the second round on zero faults.
Eighteen of the 40 go through to round two, and we have nine combinations on zero faults, one on two, and the rest of the 18 are made up by the fastest of the four-faulters.
We were lucky enough to catch up with George Morris between the first and second rounds…
How did you rate that course George?
“It was a perfect course. Frank Rothenberger is an excellent course builder and this is his horse show. He knows it well, and this year’s course was very very fair. It was not easy to go clear, technical, scopey, careful, it was an excellent course.”
Why do you think those Liverpools next to the lake were causing such problems?
“They have always caused problems. They have always been here, they are right by the lake and horses have a thing about water from nature, so they are always a factor at this show.”
Again, the double of gold fences in front of the water caused lots of grief…
“First of all you have the turn, you have the out-gate, you have the uphill, before we even talk about the fence. There were lots of factors to come to your fence, you had the oxer uphill, loss of impulsion – I always talk about impulsion. If the horse loses impulsion, and also looks up and sees that water, you know it is a very clever course but it’s not going to hurt you because there is an oxer / vertical, not oxer / oxer.”
For you what was the standout ride of the first round?
“It’s just like the dressage, the quality of horse is so fabulous and what has happened with the sport is that it has come up from the base, both dressage and showjumping, the base is high. In my day you could say 20% of winning this Grand Prix, and there were lots of horses even back in those days. Twenty percent with a chance, the rest with no chance. Basically, the dressage is very close to the same thing, because the standard has come up through horse breeding, education, it’s called progress.”
We are going to mortgage the house and take a punt on the winner here today, who do we back?
“I can’t with horses ever predict, no because you have nine clear, definitely it will be one of those. I can’t see a four faulter coming up, and all of those clear round horses, they are all superb…”
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The second round of the competition is run over an entirely different course than the first, and while the fences are a little larger, the questions seem a little less difficult in this round. There is a BIG combination at 6AB, two 1.70m oxers two strides apart. We also have a treble at 10ABC (vertical – one stride – oxer – one stride – vertical) and a tricky looking plank set at the maximum 1.70m at fence 11.
Our first clear in the second round doesn’t come until fifth on course, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Bianca. The mare is still jumping so carefully, they take the inside line to fence eight, and come home faultless. Unfortunately that four faults in the first mean the championship title is likely a little far out of grasp.
The next clear comes from Darry Lou and Beezie Madden, who turn inside to five and make an excellent inside turn to eight, a toe on 10C but it stays, and they add nothing to their first-round total of four.
The surprise combination of the first round was undoubtedly the relatively unknown Sven Schlüsselberg and Bud Spencer 7, who were the first to keep all the fences up and came home with just two-time penalties. In round two they proved that this one not just by chance, and the ride is so neat and composed to come home clear and under time. Unfortunately, I think those two-time faults from the first round will be costly for the pair, and with the nine clears still to come it seems unlikely that we won’t get at least a few double clears. But what an achievement for this combination, to come out on the biggest stage in the world and jump two clean rounds.
Quel Homme de Hus and Jerome (Photo – KH Frieler)
Eleventh out in round two is the beautiful Quel Homme de Hus and Jerome Guery, this stallion just floats over the fences, and we have our first double clear.
Next out we see Darragh Kenney and Babalou 41, I love watching this mare and I’m really rooting for her. This pair touch nothing to come home clear, and we have a jump-off!
HH Azur and McLain Ward take the outside line to five, and the inside line to eight; the get very close to the front of 10A but the mare is clever enough to get herself out of a tight spot. Another brilliant double clear.
Ben and Explosion (Photo – KH Frieler)
The explosive-jumping Explosion W and Ben Maher are still in hot form; they too go outside to five and inside to eight, and the gelding is super clever through the treble. Another sensational clear and what a jump-off this is shaping up to be.
Kent Farrington and Gazelle are in absolutely no hurry around this track, they take their time and ride their lines so accurately, Kent is such a quiet rider, and they post a very well-deserved clear.
The arena falls utterly silent as Simone Blum and DSP Alice make their way around the track, and they prove just why they are the reigning world champions with another seemingly effortless clear.
Last on course is another German, Daniel Deusser and Tobago Z. Daniel has to push up to 6B, gets lucky at seven, takes the inside turn to eight and gets a long spot to the last… but they are clear!!
This is going to be a truly incredible jump-off, featuring seven of the world’s very best.
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First out is Belgium’s Jerome Guery and Quel Homme de Hus; they are attacking this course at a gallop, they take a tight inside turn to number 15, things are looking super! And then they have a massive slip turning into the second last and the stallion doesn’t have enough room to recover his balance, resulting in a stop. The Belgian must be absolutely heartbroken, the stallion was jumping his heart out and they would have set the clock on fire. As it stands, they are home in 55.64 seconds with four faults.
Darragh and Babalou (Photo – KH Frieler)
Second on course is Darragh Kenney and Babalou 41; they take the tightest inside turn to the second fence 15 but it doesn’t pay off when it comes down! Still they put in a sweet round, four faults in 48.04 seconds.
Third comes McLain and HH Azur, they are flying even before the start flags! They take the first fence at an insane angle, but the risk doesn’t pay with it falling. They still aren’t easing off the gas as there is a huge prize pool on offer, they are extremely quick! They take a very short turn back to the second last where the Belgian slipped, but this too comes down. Eight faults in a very quick 43.32 seconds.
Fourth out is Ben Maher and Explosion W, the Brit seems to be playing it a little safer than expected, as I’m sure he realised a clear round will put him right up in the standings. He is still travelling well without taking unnecessary risks, but shockingly the second last comes down! Four faults in a time of 43.94 seconds and it is the best we have seen so far.
Next on course is Kent and Gazelle, and this pair are on a mission. Extremely economical turns, and big gallops in between, and they cross the line to give us our first triple clear in a time of 43.98 seconds!
Simone and Alice (Photo – KH Frieler)
Simone Blum and DSP Alice take advantage of the mare’s big stride and cut one out down to the third fence; they are a little slower than the others but seem to be doing a solid round until the plank falls!! Despite the rail it was still a very nice round, four faults in 46.88 seconds.
Daniel and Tobago Z (Photo – KH Frieler)
Very last on course is Daniel Deusser and Tobago Z. They are a little bit awkward at the second, they take the plank at a huge angle and it pays off… they are home clear! And every head turns to the clock… Not quite quick enough to catch the American, 44.35 seconds and an incredibly well-deserved second place.
What an event!
Winning horse Gazelle was originally Gazelle Ter Elzen, bred by Sint Pauwels Werner Heuninckx-van Hoornyck of Belgium. The 2006-born BWP mare is the only foal of dam Diva Ter Elzen (Indoctro x Voltaire).
Final placings of the class:
- USA – Kent Farrington – Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro)
- GER – Daniel Deusser – Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Mr. Blue)
- GBR – Ben Maher – Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet)
- GER – Simone Blum – DSP Alice (Askari x Landrebell)
- IRE – Darragh Kenney – Babalou 41 (Balou du Rouet x Silvio I)
- BEL – Jerome Guery – Quel Homme de Hus (Quidam de Revel x Candillo)
- USA – McLain Ward – HH Azur (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui)
- GER – Sven Schlüsselburg – Bud Spencer 7 (Artiest de Wynckel x Azett)
- USA – Beezie Madden – Darry Lou (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Nabab de Rêve)
