History of the Rolex FEI World Cup

History of the Rolex FEI World CupHistory of the Rolex FEI World Cup

Creation

The Rolex FEI World Cup™ was created in 1978, thanks to the initiative of Swiss political journalist Max Amman, who wanted to create a unified series of competitions similar to the Formula One Championship. He had noticed that show jumping was not receiving the international attention and media audience he believed it deserved. The event was an instant success, mainly due to the support of the event’s first sponsor, Volvo, which ensured a world-class venue and well-qualified staff plus sufficient financing to cover travel expenses and prize money. This allowed the organisers to attract the best horses and riders from Europe and North America.

A system with regional leagues was set up so that riders coul qualify in competitions in their own region. Then, only the very best would come together at a grand final to compete for the top honours.

The first edition and the leagues

The first season of the Volvo World Cup competitions consisted of nine indoor events in Europe plus seven in North America, with the final held in Gothenburg in 1979. Although other continents also took part from the early days of the competition, rivalty between European and American riders dominated the 1980s.

Following the success of the inaugural series, the next season riders from Australia were invited to compete in the Rolex FEI World CupTM ; in 1980-1981 a South American league was established ; the following year, the United States was split into East ans West to form two separate qualifying regions ; and then a Canadian League was created. Since then, a few leagues have joined the Rolex FEI World CupTM. Today, it is composed of 15 leagues over 4 continents.

The winners

Austria’s Hugo Simon, won the very first Final, riding the energetic Gladstone after a jump-off against Katie Monahan Prudent; he went on to jump victory again in 1996, in Geneva (after a jump-off against Willi Melliger), and in 1997 in Gothenburg with E.T. making him the first rider to win the Rolex FEI World CupTM three times. After him, the Bresilian Rodrgio Pessoa produced three consecutive wins with the same horse, his charismatic stallion Baloubet du Rouet; 1998 in Helsinki, 1999 in Gothenburg, and in 2000 in Las Vegas. Merdetith Michaels Beerbaum won it also three times with the same horse, the brilliant Shutterfly ; in 2005 and 2009 in Las Vegas, in 2008 in Gothenburg.
Two swiss riders have won the Rolex FEI World CupTM Final. The first was Markus Fuchs with Tinka’s Boy in 2001 in Gothenburg and the second was Beat Mändli in 2007 with Ideo du Thot in Las Vegas.

The United States and Germany currently hold the record for the greatest number of victories, having won seven out of the 31 seasons.Canada’s Nario Deslauriers, who took the title with Aramis in 1984, at age 19, remains the youngest-ever winner. The brasilian stylist Nelson Pessoa was runner-up.


Source : FEI