Rolex Grand Slam: Pieter Devos: “Me in the Rolex Grand Slam – it is a dream come true.”

10 Sep 2013

Pieter Devos stayed totally cool in the final round of the best twelve show-jumpers at the legendary Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. The Belgian rider was the only competitor to jump clear in the “CN International presented by Rolex”. This triumph marked the start of his own personal Rolex Grand Slam, a challenge that he has the chance of pursuing at the CHI in Geneva from December 12^th-15^th.

Photo: Rolex Grand Slam/Kit Houghton

Question: Have you already got any plans in mid-December?

Pieter Devos: I certainly have now. I still can’t believe it, this victory is incredible. I will now also be competing at the CHI in Geneva, in the Rolex Grand Slam; a dream has come true here for me in Spruce Meadows.

Question: Has it already sunken in that you now have the opportunity to become the first rider ever to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

Pieter Devos: Not really, it will still take a while to sink in. The Rolex Grand Slam is so very special, it puts the spotlight on our sport, it attracts so much attention among the spectators and media, and all of a sudden, I am right in the midst of it all, it is fantastic. I will have to try and take all of this in first.

Question: How do you assess your chances in Geneva?

Pieter Devos: That is of course very difficult to answer because there is such a world-class field of participants. It is going to be the first time I compete there, so I have no experience there at all, but the hall is very very big, which will definitely suit my mare, “Candy”.

Question: It was your first time in Spruce Meadows as well.

Pieter Devos: That is correct. Perhaps that is a good sign. Actually, they say you have to compete somewhere three times to get to know a showground well enough to be successful. However, I simply didn’t think about the other riders, I just concentrated on my rides and tried not to pick up any faults.

Question: After your victory in Spruce Meadows, you were able to take a good look at the Rolex Grand Slam trophy. Did you already practice holding it up in the air?

Pieter Devos: Good heavens, no, I didn’t touch it of course – that brings back luck. We athletes are all a little bit superstitious.

The Rolex Grand Slam

The system of the Rolex Grand Slam is simple: Anyone, who wins three shows in a row, receives 1 million Euros on top of the prize-money of each show. Moreover, anyone who wins two out of the three shows, also receives a bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is 500,000 Euros. If the rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode”, but doesn’t claim the victories at two consecutive shows, the bonus total 250,000 Euros. It is possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. This system is infinite, it is not limited to a calendar year. It is a never ending story.

The trophy
The Rolex Grand Slam trophy for show jumping is a cup and cover created by the London jewellers Garrard, it is made of sterling silver with double scroll handles. A delicate ribbed spiral stem curves around the middle section moving up towards a tulip shaped vessel with a lid that is surmounted by a twisted shape finial. The trophy stands upon an integral silver plinth, and overall it is 45 cms high. Garrard was established in 1735 and is the oldest jewellers in the world, serving British sovereigns and royalty from around the globe, renowned for producing the crowns in the Tower of London. The firm has made ceremonial regalia and presentation silverware for governments and important international institutions, and created sporting trophies for world-class events. This trophy was designed by Corinna Pike, the bespoke and regal jewels designer, and heritage director at Garrard. Her approach is to incorporate curved forms inspired by the natural world, with meticulous hand-painted artwork in watercolours and gouache to create sinuous flowing harmony in her designs.

The 2013 debut event in Aachen

The British rider, Nick Skelton, succeeded in winning the debut event at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2013.  He won the jump-off of the Rolex Grand Prix in front of a crowd of 40,000 spectators in the, needless to say, sold-out main stadium in the Soers of Aachen with a well-calculated and experienced round on his horse, Big Star.  Jannika Sprunger from Switzerland came second and third place went to Patrice Delaveau from France.  Unfortunately, Nick Skelton hasn’t been able to continue his personal efforts to win the Grand Slam at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, because “Big Star” is recovering from a ganglion on his leg.  “I will be starting to compete again in Geneva,” he explained, when he will attempt to win the next leg of the Rolex Grand Slam at the beginning of December.

Source: Rolex Grand Slam