Pieter Devos wins the Grand Prix CSIO5* Calgary

Peter Devos (BEL), riding his 11 year old mare Candy, on Sunday, won the CN International presented by Rolex, and becomes the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

In a field which contained seven of the sport's Top 10 riders, including Rolex Testimonees Eric Lamaze, Steve Guerdat and Kevin Staut, and in front of a hugely supportive Spruce Meadows crowd of over 30,000 spectators, the 27 year old Devos was the only rider to go double clear over two tough rounds of jumping. In second place was Switzerland's Steve Guerdat riding Nasa, and in third, Penelope Leprevost from France riding Nayana.

Devos was one of eight combinations who went clear in the first round and entered the ring for his second so focused that he was unaware who had gone clear up to that point. “I just wanted to do my own thing and tried to go clear”, he said, “I just knew that I had to kick to come out of the triple combination, and that's what I focused on”.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping now moves inside to the CHI Geneva (12-15 December) and Devos, who qualifies automatically as a winner at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters', is enthusiastic about competing for the sport's biggest bonus prize, “Of course, if I can go there I will. I've done a lot of big shows but perhaps not the biggest one indoors, so I thank the sponsor very much for giving such great opportunities to the athletes and bringing a lot of media coverage and interest to horse sport”.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping features three of the world’s greatest equestrian shows – the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva – and is the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the Grand Prix at each show in succession. The winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be rewarded with a €1 million bonus prize.