The first event in the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, begins April 24 and runs through April 27 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The event represents the best competitors from around the world. It is an important venue because it gives horse-and-rider combinations the ability to test themselves at the four-star level, which is the same level as world championships and the Olympic Games.
Additionally, a lot of money is at stake. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event kicks off what is called the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. The Grand Slam awards $350,000 to the rider who can win in succession the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in England (May 1-4), and the Burghley Land Rover Horse Trials in England (Sept. 4-7). This cash prize is in addition to the prizes awarded for each event won: The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event winner receives $200,000 and a Rolex Watch; the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials winner gets £60,000 ($118,781.57); and the Burghley Land Rover Horse Trails leader takes £50,000 ($98,989.29).
When the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing was first offered in 2002, it seemed like an impossible feat. Then, in 2003, British rider Pippa Funnell rewrote history. She became the first Grand Slam winner with wins at Kentucky on Primmore's Pride, Badminton on Supreme Rock, and Burghley on Primmore's Pride. Since that time, no other rider has matched her accomplishment.