The Grand Prix is the most important class in every showjumping event and is usually held as the closing one. Tomorrow at Piazza di Siena, the Rolex Rome Grand Prix – the eagerly awaited and most important individual competition of the Rome show, with a prize fund of €500,000 – will be the highlight for fans.

For the centenary edition of the CSIO5*, the course designed by Uliano Vezzani and his team will feature three brand-new obstacles which recreate some of the monuments restored over the years by Sport e Salute, which co-organises the historic Roman competition alongside the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation.

The pairs competing will therefore face the ‘Tempietto di Diana’, the ‘Casino dell’Orologio’ and the ‘Fontana dei Cavalli Marini’, creating a link between the history of Villa Borghese and that of the equestrian competition, which this year celebrates its centenary.

The Gran Prix of Rome roll of honour began with Polish rider Adam Krolikiewocz riding Picador in 1926 and ended with Brazilian Yuri Mansur winning the Rolex Gran Prix Rome on Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm in 2025.

Who will be next to be added to the roll of honour of this incredible competition? It's hard to say, given that the starting field features some of the biggest names in international showjumping.

However, as they often say, 'the bars are round', and no prediction is ever guaranteed when excellence in the discipline is competing for the podium.

Looking back at the competition's history (CLICK HERE for the full Roll of Honour), Piero d’Inzeo’s record of seven victories stands out. The most recent victory for an Italian rider – 24 years after Arnaldo Bologni’s win – was secured by Lorenzo De Luca in 2018. Only six female riders are on the list of winners.

The Rolex Rome Grand Prix starts at 12:30 pm.

Competitions will be streamed on https://horseandcountry.tv/nl/event/csio-rome