(Photo: © CHI Genève)
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping returns to the picturesque city of Geneva for the final Major of the calendar year, the CHI Geneva. From Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 December, the show will host five-days of top-level sport and entertainment for over 40,000 spectators.
Sporting action starts early on Wednesday 6 December with national Show Jumping classes. Introduced last year, these classes provide the chance for amateur riders to compete in one of the most prestigious Show Jumping arenas in the world. Furthermore, these classes also provide competitors the opportunity to qualify for Credit Suisse Coupe du Jockey Club, which takes place in-front of a packed out crowd on Saturday 9 December.
International 5* Show jumping classes begin on Thursday, with the highlight being the Trophée de Genève, which provides riders their first chance to gain one of the 40 available spots in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix. Thursday also welcomes the first of three Under-25 competitions – the CHI Geneva has always placed an emphasis on providing young riders a chance to ride in one of the biggest atmospheres in the sport, and this class will showcase the next generation of top Show Jumpers.
Friday provides a stellar line-up of classes including the 1.55m Prix des Communes Genevoises, the final chance for combinations to qualify for the show’s pinnacle class, the Rolex Grand Prix. The Indoor Cross-Country presented by Tribune de Genève, will also be held on Friday, and sees some of the world’s best Eventing riders gather in the electric atmosphere at the Palexpo. Often likened to the Nitto ATP Finals in tennis, Friday evening will welcome the 22nd running of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. In this innovative and globally renowned event, the world’s top 10 ranked riders compete against each other, over two rounds, to be crowded champion.
This year, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is celebrating its 10-year anniversary – and as part of the year’s celebrations, the CHI Geneva will be hosting a special ceremony for Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat on Saturday 9 December. The recently crowned individual FEI European Champion, has competed in all of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors since the launch of the initiative at the CHIO Aachen in 2013. This impressive feat has meant that the Swiss rider has taken part in 34 Majors – showcasing not only his consistency at the very top of the sport, but also his ability to repeatedly produce horses to this level. This ceremony will honour all that Guerdat has achieved and done for his country. In front of a packed out Main Arena, the Swiss crowd are sure to make this a memorable moment for the rider.
Sunday is set to be a true spectacle of top level of Show Jumping, with the Rolex Grand Prix, the final Rolex Major of 2023, taking centre stage. Once again, Gérard Lachat will design the course for 40 of the best horse and rider combinations in the world. All eyes will be on Swiss rider Martin Fuchs – not only is he the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, but he is also the only rider to have ever won consecutive editions of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva (2019 & 2021). Will Fuchs finish the year having broken yet another record and become the only rider to have won three Rolex Grands Prix at the venue, or will another rider start their Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping quest?