As one of the four Majors that comprise the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the TSCHIO Aachen stands alongside The Dutch Masters, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and the CHI Geneva as one of the sport’s most prestigious events. The 2026 edition will see an elite field of international riders compete in the legendary Main Stadium, where victory in the Rolex Grand Prix remains one of the most coveted achievements in show jumping.
Competition begins on Friday 22 May with the Prize of Soers, followed by the opening class of the Youngster Tour, giving the next generation of horses the opportunity to compete in one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Later that day, attention will turn to the first qualifier for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix, with riders looking to make an early impression and secure their route towards the weekend’s pinnacle class. Saturday’s programme continues with the second competition of the Youngster Tour, before the Prize of CHIO Aachen CAMPUS adds further CSI5* sport to the schedule. The MERKUR CASINO-Cup will bring one of Aachen’s most distinctive classes to the Main Stadium, combining show jumping and carriage driving in a format that reflects the breadth and character of the event. The second qualifier for the Rolex Grand Prix follows on Saturday afternoon, offering combinations a further opportunity to secure their place in Sunday’s showcase.
As the second Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping calendar year, the TSCHIO Aachen will bring together an exceptional field of international talent at the Aachen Soers Showground from 22–24 May 2026. With all of the current top 20 ranked riders confirmed to compete, the 2026 edition will showcase remarkable strength and depth across the start list.
Following his victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters, Richard Vogel arrives at the TSCHIO Aachen as the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender. The German, currently World No.3 and reigning individual European Champion, claimed the first Major of the year with United Touch S having enjoyed an exceptional week in ’s-Hertogenbosch, recording three victories across the show. Victory in Aachen would mark his second consecutive Rolex Grand Slam Major title and move him one step closer to becoming only the second rider in history to claim the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
The host nation will be strongly represented, with Vogel joined by an accomplished German contingent that includes Christian Kukuk, Daniel Deusser, Sophie Hinners, André Thieme and Marcus Ehning. Kukuk, currently World No.8, arrives as the reigning individual Olympic champion following his gold medal-winning performance with Checker 47 at Paris 2024, while Deusser brings significant Rolex Grand Slam experience as a three-time Major winner and one of the most consistent performers at the highest level of the sport. Rolex Testimonee Hinners adds further depth to the home challenge, alongside former winners Thieme and Ehning, whose experience and championship pedigree further strengthen the German line-up.
The United States fields a particularly strong contingent, led by World No.1 Kent Farrington, who returned to the top of the world rankings earlier this month. Farrington has already claimed multiple Rolex Grand Slam Major victories and has continued his strong form this season, including victories in the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington, the CSI5* Grand Prix at Kentucky International and in the FEI World Cup™ Final. He is joined by McLain Ward, currently World No.10, winner of a CSI5* Grand Prix in Wellington earlier this year, alongside Laura Kraut, and Karl Cook, who opened his 2026 campaign with CSI5* success in Thermal. Great Britain is represented by Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash, the only rider to have claimed the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Currently World No.2, Brash has enjoyed an exceptional start to 2026, recording multiple CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix victories in Doha. His British teammate Ben Maher, World No.4 and a three-time Olympic gold medallist, has also shown strong early-season form, with several international victories.
INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD VOGEL
Congratulations, you are the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender heading to the TSCHIO Aachen. How are you feeling ahead of the next Major of the year?
RV: To be honest, I try not to remind myself too much that I am the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender. At the end of the day, I have to try to approach the TSCHIO Aachen like any other show, although of course it is an extremely important one!
Aachen is always a very special show for us, and each of the Rolex Grand Slam Majors is among the highlights of our calendar every year. Coming to Aachen as the live contender certainly adds another level of importance, but I do not think we – as a team – should change anything in terms of our preparation, or how we plan towards the show.
United Touch S is an incredible partner to have. The aim now is to keep him in the same form that he was in at ’s-Hertogenbosch, and to try to perform well on Sunday at TSCHIO Aachen.
You secured your place as live contender with an incredible victory at The Dutch Masters. Looking back, what made that performance with United Touch S so special?
RV: I think United Touch S proved once again what an incredible horse he is. He has such a huge stride and tremendous scope, but over the years we have also grown so much together as a partnership. He is really with me everywhere now.
Even in a relatively small indoor arena, he showed the world how competitive he can be, and how good he can be in the rollbacks to the fences. Earlier in his career, I think many people would have said that a smaller indoor arena would not necessarily be the ideal place for him to shine. Aachen, for example, seems more suited to his strengths, with the space to use his big stride and scope. But he showed once again that he is not only incredible outdoors, but indoors as well.
You said after The Dutch Masters that being the live contender brings pressure, but “a nice pressure to have”. How do you manage that expectation as you prepare for Aachen?
RV: I think, as riders, it is almost our obligation to manage that pressure. I do not want to say that it is easy, but we work on staying focused, calm and concentrated, and on not allowing ourselves to become too nervous.
It is also very important that the horse does not feel that pressure. Horses are very sensitive, and the more relaxed they are, the better they can focus. If United Touch S feels that I am more tense, or different from normal, then he will sense that something has changed. He will think, “What is happening today?” and I do not think that helps to create the right atmosphere in our work. He is very experienced and has been in the sport long enough to understand when it is an important day. He knows when Sunday comes and when it is a Rolex Grand Prix day. These horses are very smart. I think it is important to show him that, yes, it is an important day, but everything is under control. We have a plan, we know what we are doing, and we will try to perform as well as possible.