René Tebbel & Shalva Gachechiladze – The Rolex One to Watch riders for January 2012

The Rolex One to Watch for January 2012 is jointly awarded to René Tebbel (GER) and Shalva Gachechiladze (GEO).

The pair both jumped from number 304 to 238 during December – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 66 places.

Based in Emsbüren, Germany, 42-year-old René Tebbel had a very successful young riding career, winning gold at the German Junior Championships in 1986 and again at the European Junior Championships the following year. Tebbel went on to win team silver at the 1990 World Cup, and his victories did not end there.

Tebbel won gold in the German Championships in 2005 riding Source Homme, and won again in 2006 and 2007 riding Coup de Coeur. As well as his successes at the German Championships, Tebbel has also earned numerous first and second place rankings at various Grand Prix events with horses Radiator, Farina and Levien of Cabanes. Tebbel also trains his two children, Maurice and Justine, who are amongst the best young riders in Germany for their age groups.

Shalva Gachechiladze tasted success at an early age in 2009 when, aged only 20, he finished first riding Saturn at the CSI2* Tbilisi FEI World Cup Qualifiers. Together, Gachechiladze and Saturn have won Championships both in Georgia and the Caucasian League.

Gachechiladze's progression up the Rolex Rankings stems from some strong results in 2011. At present, Gachechiladze competes in the FEI World Cup Caucasian League where he is currently ranked fourth. The young Georgian rider hopes to one day compete in the Olympic Games.

The Rolex One to Watch is an initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

The winner of February's Rolex One to Watch initiative will be announced at the beginning of February 2012.