PRESS RELEASE

WORLD’S TOP RIDERS RETURN TO CHI ROYAL WINDSOR FOR 5* ROLEX GRAND PRIX

Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday 29 June 2021 – CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show will showcase the world’s finest equestrian athletes from 1–4 July. The event, held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, where the public is afforded once-a-year access, features four days of spectacular competition – in , , and – culminating in the prestigious 5* Rolex Grand Prix on the Sunday.

First staged in 1943, Royal Windsor’s unwavering commitment to tradition and excellence reflects Rolex’s own defining philosophy. The show’s elite status is firmly established on the international equestrian calendar, with the Grand Prix upgraded to five-star category in 2017, the year after Rolex joined as Official Partner.

Course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral is expected to provide an exacting challenge for all Grand Prix competitors, requiring of them and their horses the highest levels of technical precision.

For more than 60 years, Rolex has developed a close relationship with , dating back to 1957 when pioneering British show jumper Pat Smythe became the brand’s first Testimonee in the sport. Since then, as part of its own quest for perpetual excellence, Rolex has forged lasting bonds with key individuals and organizations. The brand’s presence at the heart of the sport is highlighted by its support for equestrianism’s most coveted trophy, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, as well as prestigious Grand Prix around the world.

ROLEX TESTIMONEES AMONG THE WORLD’S BEST

World No. 2 Steve Guerdat will lead a distinguished field of competitors at Royal Windsor, aiming to regain the title he won in 2018. He faces fierce competition from Swiss teammate and fellow Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs, the reigning individual European champion and current World No. 3.

British challenger Scott Brash is the only rider to complete the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – the sport’s most demanding challenge – when he won three consecutive Majors in 2014–2015 with his champion horse Hello Sanctos. Brash, a Rolex Testimonee, said:

“Royal Windsor is always a very special show. It’s a stunning setting and to have the support of the British fans gives me such a boost. The Rolex Grand Prix at Windsor is one of the most competitive on the circuit and I am really looking forward to taking on this year’s challenge.”

1/3 WORLD’S TOP RIDERS RETURN TO CHI ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW FOR 5* ROLEX GRAND PRIX

Fellow Briton Harry Charles, Rolex’s youngest Testimonee will be striving for his first Rolex Grand Prix victory. For inspiration, he can look to more experienced members of the Rolex family who will be competing, including Kent Farrington of the United States who won back-to-back Grand Prix here in 2016 and 2017, as well as France’s Kevin Staut who enjoyed success at Royal Windsor, taking individual gold at the European Championships when they were held at the venue in 2009.

END

NOTES TO EDITORS

ROLEX GRAND PRIX PREVIOUS WINNERS

2019 Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), Toveks Mary Lou 2018 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Albfuehren’s Bianca 2017 Kent Farrington (USA), Sherkan D’Amaury

(Names in bold denote Rolex equestrian Testimonees)

2/3 WORLD’S TOP RIDERS RETURN TO CHI ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW FOR 5* ROLEX GRAND PRIX

ABOUT ROLEX An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise

Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.

The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 500 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and OFFICIAL WEBSITE bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, www.rolex.com sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the ROLEX EQUESTRIANISM NEWSROOM planet. https://newsroom.rolex.com/world- of-rolex/rolex-and-sports/rolex-and- equestrianism

MEDIA CONTACTS Rolex SA Virginie Chevailler [email protected] +41 (0)22 302 26 19 rEvolution Merrick Haydon [email protected] +44 (0)7748 186 833

3/3