USEF clarifies ‘Grand Slam’ rules

By Paula Parisi May 1, 2012

Following the cancellation in late April of the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials due to flooding, a clarification of what it takes to win the Rolex Grand Slam of eventing was issued by the United States Equestrian Federation and Rolex.

The Grand Slam prize of $350,000is awarded to any rider who consecutively wins each of the Rolex Grand Slam Events―namely the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

So current Rolex Grand Slam contender William Fox-Pitt (GBR)―who won the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event―now must win the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in order to claim the big prize (as this would fulfill the criteria of having won each of the three  consecutively). This, regardless of his performance at the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

For the first time in the history of the Rolex Grand Slam, the current situation means that Fox-Pitt could be challenged for the title at the same event if any other rider consecutively wins the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and also the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing in 2001. Since then, only one rider has claimed it: Pippa Funnel (GBR) in the 2002-2003 season.

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