Britain's Scott Brash wins Euros Rolex Grand Slam in Calgary
Monday 14 September 2015 10:20, UK
Scott Brash won the biggest individual prize in showjumping on Sunday when he landed the 1m euros Rolex Grand Slam.
The 29-year-old world No 1 completed a remarkable treble of successive grand prix victories in Geneva, Aachen and Calgary to collect the £730,000 bonus.
Brash, from Peebles in Scotland, remained calm under intense pressure to jump two clear rounds.
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Last to go in round two, Brash knew a clear round inside a punishing time of 72 seconds would be enough on his London 2012 team gold medal ride Hello Sanctos to hit the jackpot.
And he became the first rider to land Grand Slam glory as Sanctos - the horse that has taken him to world showjumping's summit during the past three years - saw him home.
A capacity crowd at Spruce Meadows in Calgary rose to acclaim his achievement, which adds to a career that includes Olympic team gold, European team gold and individual bronze, two Global Champions Tour series titles and a world No 1 status he has held on almost interrupted basis since November 2013.
Sanctos was bought for Brash by Lord and Lady Harris and Lord and Lady Kirkham in December 2011, and the partnership has now risen to unprecedented heights in the sport.
The Spruce Meadows track saw 10 combinations jump clear in round one, including the strongly fancied American pair of Beezie Madden and McLain Ward.
Brash also kept himself in contention by going clear, but it was round two when the real drama unfolded as the time allowed proved beyond most challengers.
Brazilian Pedro Veniss and Belgian Pieter Devos seemed destined to reach a jump-off after each collecting one time fault, but Brash had no intention of taking the contest any further as he finished things off with another magical clear.
Equestrian sport's only previous grand slam was achieved by British eventer Pippa Funnell 12 years ago, when she claimed successive titles at Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley.