Profiles

Linda Southern-Heathcott on Rolex Grand Slam 2025

The President of the Steering Committee 2025 and CEO of Spruce Meadows talks about the new season and the ‘Road to the 50th’.

President of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Steering Committee Linda Southern-Heathcott. (Credit Spruce Meadows)

By: Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping | February 19, 2025

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. linda southern-heathcott on rolex grand slam 2025 by: rolex grand slam of show jumping. as the president of the rolex grand slam of show jumping steering committee for 2025, what are your key priorities for the year? my key priorities are to maintain the highest standards of the sport while prioritising the safety, welfare and health of the horses. additionally, ensuring an engaged and informed audience is also crucial when showcasing the incredible athletes, both equine and human, who compete at the highest level. i am also aiming to strengthen the cohesive thread between the four majors. this will include harmonising television coverage with in-depth statistics and compelling presentation, as well as in the sport the competitive ring. are there any major changes or enhancements planned for the rolex grand slam of show jumping? advertisement scroll to continue with content there are no major changes planned, our focus remains on continuous improvement while respecting our key stakeholders – the horses and riders. for more than a decade, the four majors have developed a strong, unified identity, with a thread of similarity throughout, whilst also preserving each venue’s uniqueness. most importantly, we have built a deep level of trust with the athletes, who rely on us as organizers and rolex to provide a world-class platform for them to compete. with the growing role of technology in sports, are there any innovations being integrated into the rolex grand slam of show jumping this year to further connect with new and existing fans? our focus is on delivering clear, relevant, and engaging insights to our fans and consumers. this year, the four majors are working together to refine the way we present statistics – we are aiming to establish a standardized format across all four events, creating consistency for fans, while also allowing each major to incorporate the unique cultural elements that add to their individual character. through this balance of innovation and tradition, we strive to deepen the connection between the sport and its audience. there are several exciting anniversaries taking place in 2025, including the 10-year anniversary of scott brash’s momentous victory along with the 50-year anniversary of international competition at the csio spruce meadows ‘masters’ tournament. how are you, as the steering committee, planning on celebrating these? one of the key initiatives for 2025 is a ‘road to the 50th’ documentary, which we will introduce at the dutch masters. this project – primarily a spruce meadows initiative – will follow select athletes throughout the year leading up to the 50th anniversary of international competition at the csio spruce meadows ‘masters’ tournament. while distinct, it will naturally complement the rolex grand slam of show jumping, particularly given the strong swiss connection with martin fuchs winning the last two editions of the cpkc ‘international’ grand prix, presented by rolex. the 50th anniversary is a major milestone, especially as canada is a relatively young country. spruce meadows is a unique venue, with nearly 20 sponsors who have been with us for five decades – which is very rare. our celebrations will reflect this rich history, beginning in april with a local gathering for volunteers and culminating in a large-scale event in september, where we will welcome guests from around the world to honour those who have built spruce meadows, including sponsors, athletes, horses, fans, and media. on the rolex grand slam side, we will also celebrate the anniversary of scott brash’s historic achievement. the tribute is likely to begin at the chio aachen, taking fans on a journey through his iconic victories, and will continue throughout the year, with a special moment dedicated to him in september. do you take lessons from the majors in other sports, such as the masters or the championships, wimbledon? whilst i cannot speak for the other members, we always strive to learn from both equestrian and other major global sporting events. personally, i believe it is essential to take inspiration from other sports such as tennis, formula 1, and golf. the concept of winning a major in the rolex grand slam of show jumping closely parallels to that of golf, where being a grand slam champion is an extraordinary achievement, but winning even a single major is still a prestigious milestone. our goal is to maintain the highest standards and ensure our athletes receive the recognition they deserve for these accomplishments. a key priority for me is elevating show jumping to front-page status. in the broader sports landscape, we are competing with nfl football in the united states, canadian football, and global sports such as soccer, for example. to stand out, we must continually engage our fans, as their passion and enthusiasm play a crucial role in driving visibility. this fan and spectator engagement, combined with strong partnerships and sponsorships, will be vital in ensuring that our sport earns the recognition it deserves on the world stage. as a collective, the four members of the rolex grand slam of show jumping have an impressive resume of event organisation and management. what lessons have you learned from each other? one of the most valuable aspects of our collaboration is the ability to learn from each other, particularly when it comes to safety policies. while each major has a unique environment – indoor versus outdoor, or in our case, spruce meadows being geographically distinct from continental europe – we share a commitment to the highest standards of horse welfare, safety, and health. i would like to explore a push on public education about equine welfare. one important point that often goes unrecognised is the stark difference in lifespan between wild and domesticated horses – well-cared-for sport horses and domesticated horses can thrive well into their 30s, which is often much longer than wild horses. i think it is important to bridge this knowledge gap in a way that is engaging and interactive, rather than just informative. finding innovative ways to make education both fun and impactful will be a key focus for us moving forward. what qualities do you believe define a true rolex grand slam of show jumping major champion – both in a rider and a horse? a true rolex grand slam of show jumping major champion is, first and foremost, an exceptional horseperson. every rider who has won a major shares a deep respect for their horse, prioritizing its care, well-being, and preparation at the highest level. these athletes are professionals in every regard and they understand that success comes from a commitment to both their own physical and mental readiness, and that of their horse. there is a noticeable connection between these riders and their horses – whether it is the way they prepare or the softness in their riding, it takes true horsemanship to win a rolex grand slam of show jumping major. as an olympian and now a leader in the sport, what legacy do you hope to leave within the rolex grand slam of show jumping and the equestrian world as a whole? for many young riders starting out on ponies, the ultimate dream is to one day win the olympics. the legacy i hope to leave – both within the rolex grand slam of show jumping and the equestrian world – is that aspiring athletes also dream of winning a major as well. &&>

As the President of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Steering Committee for 2025, what are your key priorities for the year?

My key priorities are to maintain the highest standards of the sport while prioritising the safety, welfare and health of the horses. Additionally, ensuring an engaged and informed audience is also crucial when showcasing the incredible athletes, both equine and human, who compete at the highest level. I am also aiming to strengthen the cohesive thread between the four Majors. This will include harmonising television coverage with in-depth statistics and compelling presentation, as well as in the sport the competitive ring.

Are there any major changes or enhancements planned for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

Scroll to continue with content

There are no major changes planned, our focus remains on continuous improvement while respecting our key stakeholders – the horses and riders. For more than a decade, the four Majors have developed a strong, unified identity, with a thread of similarity throughout, whilst also preserving each venue’s uniqueness. Most importantly, we have built a deep level of trust with the athletes, who rely on us as organizers and Rolex to provide a world-class platform for them to compete.

With the growing role of technology in sports, are there any innovations being integrated into the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping this year to further connect with new and existing fans?

Our focus is on delivering clear, relevant, and engaging insights to our fans and consumers. This year, the four Majors are working together to refine the way we present statistics – we are aiming to establish a standardized format across all four events, creating consistency for fans, while also allowing each Major to incorporate the unique cultural elements that add to their individual character. Through this balance of innovation and tradition, we strive to deepen the connection between the sport and its audience.

There are several exciting anniversaries taking place in 2025, including the 10-year anniversary of Scott Brash’s momentous victory along with the 50-year anniversary of international competition at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. How are you, as the Steering Committee, planning on celebrating these?

One of the key initiatives for 2025 is a ‘Road to the 50th’ documentary, which we will introduce at The Dutch Masters. This project – primarily a Spruce Meadows initiative – will follow select athletes throughout the year leading up to the 50th anniversary of international competition at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. While distinct, it will naturally complement the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, particularly given the strong Swiss connection with Martin Fuchs winning the last two editions of the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.

The 50th anniversary is a major milestone, especially as Canada is a relatively young country. Spruce Meadows is a unique venue, with nearly 20 sponsors who have been with us for five decades – which is very rare. Our celebrations will reflect this rich history, beginning in April with a local gathering for volunteers and culminating in a large-scale event in September, where we will welcome guests from around the world to honour those who have built Spruce Meadows, including sponsors, athletes, horses, fans, and media.

On the Rolex Grand Slam side, we will also celebrate the anniversary of Scott Brash’s historic achievement. The tribute is likely to begin at the CHIO Aachen, taking fans on a journey through his iconic victories, and will continue throughout the year, with a special moment dedicated to him in September.

Do you take lessons from the Majors in other sports, such as the Masters or the Championships, Wimbledon?

Whilst I cannot speak for the other members, we always strive to learn from both equestrian and other major global sporting events. Personally, I believe it is essential to take inspiration from other sports such as tennis, Formula 1, and golf. The concept of winning a Major in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping closely parallels to that of golf, where being a Grand Slam champion is an extraordinary achievement, but winning even a single Major is still a prestigious milestone. Our goal is to maintain the highest standards and ensure our athletes receive the recognition they deserve for these accomplishments.

A key priority for me is elevating show jumping to front-page status. In the broader sports landscape, we are competing with NFL football in the United States, Canadian football, and global sports such as soccer, for example. To stand out, we must continually engage our fans, as their passion and enthusiasm play a crucial role in driving visibility. This fan and spectator engagement, combined with strong partnerships and sponsorships, will be vital in ensuring that our sport earns the recognition it deserves on the world stage.

As a collective, the four members of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping have an impressive resume of event organisation and management. What lessons have you learned from each other?

One of the most valuable aspects of our collaboration is the ability to learn from each other, particularly when it comes to safety policies. While each Major has a unique environment – indoor versus outdoor, or in our case, Spruce Meadows being geographically distinct from continental Europe – we share a commitment to the highest standards of horse welfare, safety, and health.

I would like to explore a push on public education about equine welfare. One important point that often goes unrecognised is the stark difference in lifespan between wild and domesticated horses – well-cared-for sport horses and domesticated horses can thrive well into their 30s, which is often much longer than wild horses. I think it is important to bridge this knowledge gap in a way that is engaging and interactive, rather than just informative. Finding innovative ways to make education both fun and impactful will be a key focus for us moving forward.

What qualities do you believe define a true Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major champion – both in a rider and a horse?

A true Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major champion is, first and foremost, an exceptional horseperson. Every rider who has won a Major shares a deep respect for their horse, prioritizing its care, well-being, and preparation at the highest level. These athletes are professionals in every regard and they understand that success comes from a commitment to both their own physical and mental readiness, and that of their horse. There is a noticeable connection between these riders and their horses – whether it is the way they prepare or the softness in their riding, it takes true horsemanship to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major.

As an Olympian and now a leader in the sport, what legacy do you hope to leave within the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and the equestrian world as a whole?

For many young riders starting out on ponies, the ultimate dream is to one day win the Olympics. The legacy I hope to leave – both within the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and the equestrian world – is that aspiring athletes also dream of winning a Major as well.