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Home , Equestrianism, Eric Lamaze, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Rodrigo Pessoa

ROLEX AND

Perpetual Excellence

For more than a century, Rolex’s quest for excellence through continuous improvement and innovation has underpinned all of the company’s activities – in its watchmaking and in all its engagements. As part of Perpetual Excellence, Rolex seeks partnerships with individuals and organizations in the arts and in who set the highest standards of performance.

Note

Please note that the following is generic information in line with the "traditional" calendar. However, given the extraordinary circumstances that have impacted the entire world in 2020, the dates of some of these events are most likely to have changed and/or will be changed

ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM

Through its support of the finest international riders, competitions and institutions, Rolex encourages the development of equestrianism. This enduring commitment is based on a rich heritage stretching more than 60 years, helping to foster the excellence and elegance inherent in the sport.

A UNIQUE BOND Rolex’s support for equestrianism extends across the three Olympic disciplines of show , and .

The brand’s longstanding relationship with equestrian sport is highlighted by its partnerships with the world’s premier events and competitions, and its role as founding supporter of two of the most demanding challenges for competitors in the sport:

 the Rolex Grand Slam of , launched in 2013;

 the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, launched in 2001.

The four Majors that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are all partners of the brand:

 The Dutch Masters () in March; Main Sponsor since 2014;

 the CHIO () in July; Main Sponsor since 1999;

 the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament () in September; Presenting Sponsor since 1989;

 the CHI Geneva (Switzerland) in December; Presenting Sponsor since 1996.

THE BEGINNING These partnerships with exemplary events and exciting talent build on an equestrian tradition that began in 1957 through an alliance with the British show jumper Pat Smythe. A pioneer in equestrianism, she became the brand’s first Testimonee in the sport. Since that auspicious partnership began, Rolex’s involvement in the sport has grown over the decades and it is now associated with some of the most prestigious competitions in the equestrian calendar.

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ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM

EVENTS Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is a global initiative created in 2013. It comprises the four equestrian majors: The Dutch Masters (which completed the quartet in 2018), the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and the CHI Geneva. Widely regarded as the ultimate show jumping challenge, the Rolex Grand Slam is the most coveted prize in the sport, rewarding the rider who wins the Grand Prix at three of these shows in succession. To date, Scotland’s Scott Brash is the only competitor to achieve the feat, having done so in 2014–2015.

The show jumping Majors Rolex has partnered the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in Calgary, Canada, since 1989. Featuring the world’s best and riders, the event has been named number one in the world for international show jumping four times.

Since 1996, Rolex has been the Presenting Sponsor of CHI Geneva, a pre-eminent equestrian competition, which in 2020 celebrates its 60th edition. In 2019, the Geneva International Show was chosen for the 10th time in its fabled history as the best indoor jumping event in the world, and for the first time, the best indoor cross event in the world. The show brings together an extraordinary line-up of elite riders in the world’s largest indoor equestrian arena for four days of compelling action.

Sponsored by Rolex since 1999, the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen, attracts more than 360,000 passionate supporters during 10 days of competition – a record attendance among equestrian events. The focal point of the show, the Rolex Grand Prix, has been won by some of the most famous names in the sport, including Nelson Pessoa, his son , , Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, , Scott Brash and Kent Farrington.

Rolex has been Main Sponsor of The Dutch Masters (Netherlands) and Title Sponsor of the Grand Prix there since 2014. The show offers four days of world-class equestrian sport, including show jumping and dressage. Established in 1967, The Dutch Masters celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017, a testimony to its enduring commitment to excellence in equestrianism.

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ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM

TESTIMONEES Rolex’s presence at the highest level in equestrianism is affirmed by close associations with the foremost riders in show jumping, including Bertram Allen (Ireland), the first and only winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Scott Brash (Great Britain), Rolex’s youngest equestrian Testimonee, Harry Charles (Great Britain), Jeroen Dubbeldam of the Netherlands, Kent Farrington from the , Swiss riders Martin Fuchs and , Eric Lamaze (Canada), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Germany), Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and ’s Kevin Staut.

In eventing, Rolex counts among its Testimonees the British rider , team silver medallist at the London 2012 , as well as at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (2006 and 2014), and 2006 world champion.

And in dressage, Rolex Testimonee – world record holder for most titles won in her discipline – has the unique honour of having represented Germany at five Olympic Games (1992, 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2016), and winning team and individual medals at each. Her accomplishments include winning the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final five times and multiple individual and team gold medals at the FEI World Equestrian Games™.

FURTHER INVOLVEMENT Since 2001 Rolex has been Title Sponsor of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. A highlight of the equestrian calendar, it is organized by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and is contested by the 10 highest-ranked riders in the world.

In addition, Rolex is associated with the following competitions:

 the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington (United States); Official Timekeeper since 2012;  Brussels Stephex Masters (Belgium); Official Timekeeper since 2015;  Knokke Hippique (Belgium); Official Timekeeper since 2015;  Jumping International de Dinard (France); Official Timekeeper since 2015;  CHI Royal Windsor (United Kingdom); Official Partner since 2016;  Summer Series at Spruce Meadows (Canada); Official Partner since 2014;  CSI5* Tryon (United States); Official Timepiece since 2014;  CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena (Italy); Official Timekeeper since 2018.

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ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM

Eventing In eventing, which combines the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country and show jumping, Rolex sponsors three legendary competitions:

 the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (United States) in April; Official Timekeeper since 1981;

 the Horse Trials (United Kingdom) in May; Official Timekeeper since 1999;

 the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (United Kingdom) in September; Official Timekeeper since 2000.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Since 2001, the brand has supported excellence in the discipline through the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, an award presented to the rider who wins these three annual events consecutively. The Grand Slam of Eventing has been won only twice, in 2003 and in 2016.

BEHIND THE SCENES Behind the scenes, Rolex participates in the development of equestrianism through its patronage of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), a group comprising the top-ranked riders that promotes the image of jumping in equestrian sport and organizes the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final.

In 2014, Rolex began a partnership with the Young Riders Academy, developed by a group of equestrian professionals with the cooperation of the IJRC to help nurture and support the future of equestrian talent.

ROLEX AND ACHIEVEMENT The roots of Rolex’s affinity for sport and human achievements can be traced back to the pioneering origins of the company. When founder Hans Wilsdorf set up his watchmaking firm, he was influenced by the swift changes sweeping through society at the beginning of the 20th century. In an era when wristwatches were still regarded as fragile items of apparel, he was determined to create one that would be robust, precise and reliable, adapted to ever more active and sporting lifestyles.

After pioneering the quest for precision in wristwatches, in 1926 Rolex invented the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, the Rolex Oyster, thanks to a case equipped with an ingenious patented system consisting of a screw-down bezel, case back and winding crown.

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ROLEX AND EQUESTRIANISM

To prove his invention, Hans Wilsdorf equipped a young English swimmer, Mercedes Gleitze, with an Oyster when she swam the English Channel a year later in 1927. The Rolex watch emerged from more than 10 hours in the water in perfect working condition, and Gleitze effectively became the first Rolex Testimonee – a witness to the watch’s uncompromised performance.

Rolex continued to use the world as a real-life proving ground for the Oyster, demonstrating time and again its reliability and performance in the most extreme conditions, on land, in the air, in the depths of the ocean or on the tallest peaks. These exploits helped to develop Rolex Professional watches, such as the Oyster Perpetual Explorer and Explorer II, the Cosmograph Daytona, the Submariner, the Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II. This commitment to superior performance extended to the realm of sporting excellence, where Rolex is a leading and trusted partner.

Driven by its universally recognized excellence, Rolex has built upon its own defining heritage in watchmaking to embrace the rich heritage of equestrianism. The brand’s pioneering spirit and exacting standards are shared with the leading riders and events.

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