Grand Slam of Eventing

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The Grand Slam of Eventing, sponsored by Rolex, consists of three of the top CCI5*-L (previously CCI4*, due to a rating change effective January 1, 2019. Note that the nature of the competitions remains the same regardless of the change in name) equestrian eventing competitions in the world. Pippa Funnell in 2003 and Michael Jung in 2016, are the only riders to have achieved the Grand Slam since its inception in 1999. To win the Grand Slam, a rider must consecutively win all three events, although they are permitted to ride different horses in each competition. This is especially important, since the Badminton Horse Trials is only one week after Kentucky, and the horse would not have sufficient time to recover between the two competitions, especially since they would have to be flown overseas in that time.

Contents

The three events that make up the Grand Slam are:

Winners receive an extra $350,000, in addition to their winnings from each event.

Past winners

The Grand Slam of Eventing began in 1999, and has since only been won by two riders.

Pippa Funnell (GBR):

Michael Jung (GER):

Other notable performances

Andrew Hoy (AUS):

Oliver Townend (GBR):

William Fox-Pitt (GBR):

Andrew Nicholson (NZL):

Career wins

Pre 1999:

Rolex

Having picked up the Grand Slam concept, which was originally launched by the three events acting in concert, the company have since established themselves as a leading sponsor within Three Day Eventing. Furthermore, they were title sponsors of the Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials until they abandoned eventing title sponsorship across the globe and dropped the sponsorship. The Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials is now the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event, since Land Rover picked up the sponsorship. Rolex was the title sponsor of the event from 1981 to 2017. Rolex remains the official timepiece of the event.

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The Bicton Arena International 5*, known for sponsorship reasons as the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials was a CCI 5* eventing competition held as a one-off replacement for the Burghley Horse Trials in 2021, following the cancellation of both UK 5* events in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was won by Gemma Tattersall riding Chilli Knight.

References

  1. "Funnell goes for gold after Grand Slam glory". the Independent. 20 December 2003. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  2. "Agonisingly close to Burghley slam". Rutland Times. Retrieved 14 September 2015.