The Grand Slam of Eventing, sponsored by Rolex, consists of three of the top CCI**** equestrian eventing competitions in the world. 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.
The three events that make up the Grand Slam are:
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, England
Burghley Horse Trials near Stamford, Lincolnshire, England
Winners receive an extra $350,000, in addition to their winnings from each event.
The Grand Slam of Eventing began in 1999, and has since only been won by two riders.
Pippa Funnell (GBR):
2003 Kentucky Three Day on Primmore's Pride
2003 Badminton Horse Trials on Supreme Rock
2003 Burghley Horse Trials on Primmore's Pride
Michael Jung (GER):
2015 Burghley Horse Trials on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW
2016 Kentucky Three Day on FischerRocana FST
2016 Badminton Horse Trials on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW
Andrew Hoy (AUS):
2006 Kentucky Three Day on Master Monarch
2006 Badminton Horse Trials on Moonfleet
2006 2nd Burghley Horse Trials on Moonfleet (in the lead until the final phase)
Oliver Townend (GBR):
2009 Badminton Horse Trials on Flint Curtis
2009 Burghley Horse Trials on Carousel Quest
2010 Kentucky Horse Trials on Ashdale Cruise Master and ODT Master Rose, (in 9th and 6th after dressage but fell cross country while riding Ashdale Cruise Master and had to be airlifted to hospital)
William Fox-Pitt (GBR):
2011 Burghley Horse Trials on Parklane Hawk
2012 Kentucky Three Day on Parklane Hawk
2013 5th Badminton Horse Trials on Parklane Hawk (William had to wait until 2013 to complete his Grand Slam challenge due to the cancellation of Badminton in 2012)
Andrew Nicholson (NZL):
2012 Burghley Horse Trials on Avebury
2013 Kentucky Three Day on Quimbo
2013 3rd Badminton Horse Trials on Nereo
Pippa Funnell (GBR) - Badminton (2002, 2003, 2005), Rolex Kentucky (2003), Burghley (2003)
Andrew Hoy (AUS) - Burghley (1979, 2004), Rolex Kentucky (2006), Badminton (2006)
Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) - Burghley (2006), Badminton (2007), Rolex Kentucky (2009)
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) - Burghley (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007–08, 2011), Badminton (2004, 2015), Rolex Kentucky (2010, 2012, 2014)
Mary King (GBR) - Badminton (1992, 2000), Burghley (1996, pre Grand Slam), Rolex Kentucky (2011)
Michael Jung (GER) - Rolex Kentucky (2015, 2016), Burghley (2015), Badminton (2016)
Pre 1999:
Bruce Davidson (USA) won Burghley (1974), Badminton (1995) and six times at Kentucky (1978, 1983–84, 1988–89, 1993), prior to the latter event becoming a four-star event in 1998 and the Grand Slam being established in 1999.
Having initiated the concept themselves in 1998, the company have since established themselves as a leading sponsor within Three Day Eventing. Furthermore, they are title sponsors of the Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials and major supporting sponsors for Badminton and Burghley.
