THE ARENA AT THE 2017 ROLEX CENTRAL PARK HORSE SHOW.
©Rolex/Ashley Neuhof
Rolex supports the most prestigious show jumping majors around the globe and stages two of the greatest events on the equestrian calendar at two famous venues.
CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show in London, and the Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York are esteemed competitions that attract the best riders in the world, many of whom are also Rolex Testimonees.
Rolex, a company driven by a history of tradition and innovation, has established relationships with both these events in the globally alluring cities of London and New York. The stature of the precision brand resonates perfectly with them, as Rolex Testimonee and former world number one rider Kent Farrington explains: “Royal Windsor Horse Show is five days of top-flight competition, set against the backdrop of historic Windsor Castle.
ROLEX TESTIMONEE KENT FARRINGTON RIDING DUBLIN AT CHI ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW 2017.
© Rolex/Kit Houghton
“I also love riding at Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York – I think it is one of the best venues we have to showcase our sport. New York’s iconic skyline really helps create a special atmosphere, especially as much of the event is held in the evening.”
Farrington is one of the leading show jumpers in the world, having claimed numerous prestigious titles, as well as a silver medal as part of the USA Olympic show jumping Team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He is well placed to offer an opinion, after winning the Rolex Grand Prix at Royal Windsor in 2017, and the Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show in 2017.
“The Royal Windsor Horse Show attracts some of the best equestrian athletes. Apart from world-class show jumping, there are dressage, carriage driving and endurance riding competitions. I was privileged to win there in 2016, as that year the show included 90th birthday celebrations for Her Majesty the Queen. I even got to meet her.”
Set in the leafy surrounds of Windsor on the River Thames, the show has been a major attraction in the United Kingdom’s capital city since its inception in 1943 as part of the national campaign, ‘Wings for Victory’. The event aimed to raise valuable funds across a variety of activities throughout the town.
KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH’S PATRONAGE
Founded by Count Robert Orssich and Mr Geoffrey Cross, it was known at that time as The Windsor Horse and Dog Show. It immediately attracted the patronage of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, plus the two princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, who were keen riders and later competitors in the show.
Rolex became Official Partner to Royal Windsor in 2016. It was upgraded to a five-star show jumping event the following year and draws enormous crowds. It is also the only time of the year when the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public.
“Windsor is one of my favourite shows in the world,” Farringdon adds. “The atmosphere is amazing and the spectators are especially knowledgeable and appreciative of horses. It’s also one of the world’s great show jumping settings. To me that is the best of the best. Now with Rolex helping make this a five-star event, it’s on a par with the finest in the world.”
This year’s event took place from 9-13 May on the 75th anniversary of the inaugural show. Simon Brooks-Ward, director of Royal Windsor Horse Show, said: “The event continues to grow year-on-year and 2018 was better than ever. We are making our mark as one of the best international shows in the world and we are thrilled to have Rolex on board for this journey.”
Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat (SUI), won the 2018 Rolex Grand Prix after producing two perfect clear rounds, demonstrating experience, speed and precision. The London 2012 Olympic Games champion expressed his emotion: “I love competing in this city, it is very special to me after my victory at the Olympics and now winning the Rolex Grand Prix at Royal Windsor. The show has a great crowd that appreciates what we do, the horses and the sport.”
ROLEX TESTIMONEE STEVE GUERDAT, WINNER OF THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT CHI ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW 2018, RECEIVES HIS ROLEX WATCH FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.
© Rolex/Kit Houghton
ROLEX TESTIMONEES AT ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW
In addition to Guerdat and Farrington, other Rolex Testimonees to have competed at Royal Windsor are Scott Brash, Eric Lamaze and Bertram Allen.
Since he started competing in 2012 with his most skilled horse, Hello Sanctos, Brash has gone from one victory to the next, starting with the 2012 World Cup Grand Prix in Florida, followed by Team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Team gold and Individual bronze at the European Show Jumping Championships in 2013.
The Scotsman made history by becoming the first rider to win three consecutive Majors, which form the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, at CHI Geneva in December 2014, the 2015 Rolex Grand Prix of CHIO Aachen in Germany, and the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in Calgary in September 2015.
“Royal Windsor Horse Show is always a special place to compete,” Brash says. “Not just because it is in front of a home crowd but the atmosphere and setting give it the edge over many other events. The British public love show jumping and with the backing of Rolex is has become a major competition in our calendar year that we do not want to miss.”
Eric Lamaze is one of the most revered jumpers of his generation, the pinnacle of his career coming at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where he and the great Hickstead won the Individual gold medal.
“As show jumpers we are lucky enough to compete at incredible venues around the world,” Lamaze says. “Any rider who has been to Windsor will tell you it is an unforgettable experience. There is also the weather to factor in – its unpredictability can impact on riding conditions which only adds to the drama.”
Bertram Allen is Rolex’s youngest equestrian Testimonee and one of the most promising stars of show jumping. Among his achievements to date, he claimed gold and silver medals in Team and Individual competitions at the European Junior Championships from 2010 to 2013, finished seventh at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and is the youngest rider to have taken part in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. In 2017 Allen was part of the Irish team that won gold at the European Championships.
“It’s always a joy competing at one of the world’s greatest equestrian venues,” Allen says. “Riding in to an arena like Windsor in front of such a knowledgeable crowd can be quite challenging but they are also very supportive. It is one of my favourite places to ride.”
ROLEX CENTRAL PARK HORSE SHOW
The Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York recalls the National Horse Show, a highlight of the equestrian calendar that took place from 1883–2002 at various locations in and around New York, including Madison Square Garden. The new event is the brainchild of founder Mark Bellissimo, whose vision was to increase the popularity of equestrian sport by making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Bellissimo explains: “We wanted to try to return equestrian sports back to the magic of New York City. We ran the concept by Rolex who were very supportive, and the company has been our Title Sponsor since the inaugural event in 2014.”
By hosting the competition in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and specifically in the city’s landmark Central Park, the event guarantees unparalleled access to high-level horse sport.
Bellissimo adds: “Some 27 million people ride a horse every year, which is more than the eight million who ski, 23 million who play tennis, or the 25 million who play golf each year. We have been thrilled to be able to bring the equestrian sport and showcase these horses and Olympic-level athletes in one of the world’s great cities.”
The Rolex Central Park Horse Show is the first, outdoor, multi-day equestrian event in New York, and is now established as a key date in the city’s sporting and social
calendar. With the famous Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, the Wollman Ice Rink, located in the heart of Central Park, is transformed into a spectacular arena that features five days of diverse programming.
Farrington is the reigning champion at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show and loves competing in his own country. In the past, he has spoken of the other riders who have inspired him to greatness, most notably fellow Rolex Testimonee, Rodrigo Pessoa. In a decorated career, the Brazilian veteran has claimed three Olympic medals and an Individual gold at the World Equestrian Games in 1998, and is the only rider to have won three World Cup Finals in consecutive years.
“I used to watch a lot of VHS tapes growing up,” Farrington says. “I would get the World Cup Final videotapes and I would just play them on repeat. I’d stand in front of the TV and pretend that I was riding and that I was Pessoa and all of my heroes.”
The Florida-based rider will look forward to competing at the next Rolex Central Park Horse Show. “New York is a special venue and it’s very impressive for the horses. Warming up at the back of Central Park and walking up to the arena is incredible. Some of the horses are a bit star-truck but usually can settle in once they enter the arena. As a rider, it feels like a privilege to present our sport under the New York City skyline.”
Source: Rolex Equestrian feature story
