As a long-standing partner of each of these equestrian Majors , Rolex naturally chose to be associated with this initiative , the ultimate achievement in show jumping .
Since he started competing with his most prized horse , Hello Sanctos , in 2012 , Brash , has gone from success to success , starting with the 2012 World Cup Grand Prix in Florida , followed by Team Gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London , and Team Gold and Individual Bronze at the European Show Jumping Championships in 2013 . His quest to claim show jumping ’ s ultimate achievement began at CHI Geneva , in December 2014 , when he triumphed in the Rolex Grand Prix . A few months later , he soared to stunning victory at the 2015 Rolex Prix of Aachen in Germany , possibly the most prized in the world . A few months later , at only 29 years of age , he finished the feat with the Grand Prix title at the 2015 Spruce Meadows ‘ Masters ’.
DISTINGUISHED TESTIMONEES
Scott Brash is one among a distinguished list of championship riders who form part of the Rolex family of Testimonees . Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum , who partnered Rolex in 2007 , became the first woman ever to be ranked world number one in show jumping and join the German national team in 1999 . In the following years , she became one of the world ’ s most successful equestrian athletes . Having started a politics degree at Princeton University , equestrian sport was not a vocation she initially envisaged but her love of competing continued throughout her college years . When she graduated , aged 21 , she changed her mind about her career and moved to Germany to train . It was here she met her now husband , fellow rider , Marcus Beerbaum . Amongst many team championship medals , she won three FEI World Cup Finals in 2005 , 2008 and 2009 – a record still unbeaten today . In 2016 she added to her list of stellar accolades with a bronze Team medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janerio .
Rodrigo is an Olympic gold-medallist in Individual jumping with 70 Grand Prix wins to his name . He has also represented Brazil at six Olympic Games , winning gold for Individual jumping at the 2004 Athens Olympics and Team bronze medals at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000 . Pessoa is one of only four riders to have won a hat trick of World Cup Jumping Final titles , an accolade made even more impressive with the victories that came in successive years – 1998 ( Helsinki ); 1999 ( Gothenburg ); and 2000 ( Las Vegas ). In 1994 he famously won the Major , the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen in Germany , beating his father , Nelson Pessoa , to third place . Further career highpoints include four other Major victories at CHI Geneva and two at CSIO Spruce Meadows .
Rodrigo commented on the impact Rolex has had in the sport in his time as a professional rider : “ The support of big brands , like Rolex , shows that they ’ re really committed to equestrian sport and to raising the level of professionalism . The progress in the last couple of years has been tremendous and this could not be possible without brands like Rolex elevating the bar .”
Within the sport of eventing Zara Tindall has followed in the footsteps of her accomplished parents , Captain Mark Phillips and HRH Princess Anne . Zara reached the pinnacle of her sport by winning an Olympic silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games on her horse , High Kingdom . Rolex were delighted to welcome her into their family of Testimonees in 2006 , the same year she won Individual gold and Team silver at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen . Her career continued to ascend great heights in 2014 when she repeated this success helping Team GB secure a silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy .
Meredith spoke of her partnership with Rolex : “ To be associated with the world-famous brand that is Rolex , and all the other great athletes supported by Rolex around the world , is an unbelievable honour . When I wear my Rolex competing it reminds me of some of my proudest moments where every second of concentration counted towards victory .”
RAISING THE BAR
Rolex ’ s longest serving equestrian Testimonee is Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa , having joined the brand in 1998 , the same year he won the World Equestrian Games in Rome to become World Champion .
The Gentleman Magazine | 15