All Eyes on the WEF Rolex Finale Week: What You Need to Know Before the Kick-Off

The Winter Equestrian Festival Finale Week is upon us, and the excitement is building as the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Jumping gets underway! With the Final set for Saturday, there’s no better time to brush up on the key storylines, standout stats, and rider form that will define one of the most hotly anticipated Grand Prix weekends of the year.

The Legends of WEF Rolex Finale Week

A few names are synonymous with success in this ring — none more so than McLain Ward (USA) and Shane Sweetnam (IRL). Both have contested this Grand Prix every single year since 2015, showing remarkable consistency and dedication. Sweetnam, returns with his Olympic partner, James Kann Cruz. This dynamic duo has competed here together for the past three years, and fans will be eager to see if they can deliver another standout performance.

There are athletes who have not only made multiple starts in this Grand Prix but have also consistently delivered clears and podium finishes. Notably, McLain has made the jump-off on every appearance except for one year (2022), showcasing both resilience and form. On his Olympic Team Silver mount, Ilex, McLain Ward finished second in this Grand Prix twelve months ago. To date, he is the only rider to have ever won this Grand Prix more than once. Can he add a third title to that record?

Olympic Champions Return to Defend Title

In 2024, Christian Kukuk & Checker 47 emerged victorious in the Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington. Now, 12 months later, they return to defend their title. The reigning Olympic Champions have already shown their winning form in Wellington this season with a win in the CSI4* Grand Prix during WEF 3.

Can they claim back-to-back victories and become the first winners of the inaugural US Equestrian Open Final?

The only rider to have ever won more than one Rolex Grand Prix in Wellington is McLain Ward, who won the first edition of this class on HH Carlos Z a decade ago and repeated that performance in 2019 riding HH Azur.
McLain also narrowly finished second behind Kukuk in last year's Grand Prix in the saddle of his Olympic mount, Ilex. A performance the pair will try to improve on this year.

The Rolex Wellington Open isn’t just another Grand Prix — it’s a proving ground. Success here builds momentum for the season ahead and earns riders the attention of selectors, sponsors, and fans worldwide.

Don’t Miss a Moment!

The first qualifier kicks off tomorrow, with the US Equestrian Open Final on Saturday. Whether you’re tracking every jump-off or catching up on the highlights, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

📲 Follow along for live updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and key stats across our social media channels.

👉 And for the ultimate pre-event deep dive, check out the full Rolex Wellington Open Fan Guide here: https://digital.equiratings.com/view/64858650/