(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?
(Photo: Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof)
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping returns to the CHI Geneva, from 6–10 December, with an action-packed schedule of sport and entertainment. The show brings together an outstanding line-up of elite riders for five days of compelling action, including the 22nd running of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final on Friday evening and the pinnacle class of the show, the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
Held in the impressive Palexpo Arena, the world’s elite horse and rider combinations will tackle some of the toughest tracks of the year, at is what is often considered the sport’s leading indoor Show Jumping venue. Taking part in this year’s show is a remarkable line-up of riders including 16 of the top 20 riders, and nine Rolex Testimonees.
Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Rider Watch
Martin Fuchs became the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender after claiming the prestigious CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in September, with the striking grey gelding Leone Jei. The Swiss rider will surely go into the CHI Geneva brimming with confidence – Fuchs became the first rider in history to win successive editions of the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva (2021 and 2019), whilst last year he was narrowly beaten by the American rider McLain Ward. With this impressive history of results at the venue and the support of the home crowd, Fuchs will surely to the one to beat.
Fuchs’ Swiss teammate, Steve Guerdat, is another favourite for this historic prize. This summer, Guerdat added a FEI European Championship individual gold medal to his two previous team European golds, aboard the extremely talented 10-year-old mare Dynamix De Belheme. The Swiss rider, who is often revered to be the ultimate horseman, has claimed three Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors, two of which have been in the Palexpo. Guerdat and Fuchs will be joined by 15 compatriots including the talented young rider Edouard Schmitz, who will be looking for his first Major win.
Another previous winner of this celebrated class is Rolex Testimonee, Kent Farrington. Farrington has been rebuilding his string of horses over the past few years following his incredible successes with Gazelle, including winning the Rolex Grands Prix at the CHI Geneva in 2017 and the CHIO Aachen in 2019. The American may have found his next Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winner in Landon, with whom he took home both the team gold and individual silver medals at the recent Pan American Games. Fellow American, and Rolex Testimonee Jessica Springsteen, will also be in action. Springsteen, has had an impressive year with a number of notable results including a 5* Grand Prix victory in London over the summer.
World No.2 Ben Maher, has won almost every competition going, including individual gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, however he is still yet to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major. The British rider bounced back from an injury earlier in the season with a number of impressive results including winning the Rolex Grand Prix, presented by Audi at the Brussels Stephex Masters and the FEI World Cup™ Qualifier in Verona.
Maher will be joined by two other notable British athletes, Rolex Testimonees Scott Brash and Harry Charles. Brash is still to date, the only rider to have claimed the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – the sport’s ultimate challenge and most coveted prize. Conversely, Charles will head to Geneva in search for his first Major victory. The World No. 1 Under-25 rider will be full of confidence following a successful autumn campaign, which includes winning the German Masters in November.
The current FEI World Champion, Henrik von Eckermann, has now held the World No.1 spot for the past 15 months. The Swedish rider has an exceptional string of horses, and will certainly be one of the favourites when he canters into the impressive main arena at the Palexpo. Having won the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final last year, von Eckermann will be looking to add the silver salver to his impressive collection of results.
France has a number of representatives who could challenge for the top placings, including Julien Epaillard. The Frenchman had a spectacular 2022, with over 75 international wins – this form has very much continued into 2023, with Epaillard claiming an individual bronze medal at the FEI European Championships and team silver at the FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona. Teammate, Simon Delestre, a former World No.1, is always one to beat, and this year came close to claiming his first Major in the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters however, heartbreakingly the last fence fell.
Germany too has an impressive list of entries, including three time Major winner, Daniel Deusser, individual bronze medalist at the FEI European Championships Phillip Weishaupt, and the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen, Marcus Ehning.
The Irish will also have a strong chance at taking home the prestigious title with five riders set to take on Gérard Lachat’s course, including Bertram Allen, who was part of the victorious team in the BMO Nations Cup at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament as well as coming third in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the same venue.
Congratulations! You are the Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender, how are you feeling ahead of the CHI Geneva?
I feel fantastic; we have had an incredible year jumping at the highest level of the sport and winning the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament with Leone Jei was definitely a highlight. I am extremely excited to be coming into my home Major, the CHI Geneva, as the live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – riding in front of a Swiss crowd with all of their support is amazing.
Reflecting on your win in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament – how special was this victory to you?
It was incredibly special! My father was second in that Grand Prix and has always talked so highly about the venue. He said that this was the important Grand Prix to win, and so to achieve that with Leone Jei was incredible.
You have had so much success at the CHI Geneva, winning in 2019 and 2021, as well as placing second last year. How special is this venue to you, and what do you think has enabled to you be so successful there?
Competing at the CHI Geneva is so special! In my opinion is it is one of the best shows in the world – the facilities for both the horses and riders are incredible. As a Swiss rider, I love competing there, the fans are amazing and they are truly behind every Swiss rider. My team play an enormous part of supporting me and are vital to my success.
How have you been preparing yourself and your horses for the CHI Geneva?
I have done a couple of shows with them – but they will have a break for the two weeks prior to the CHI Geneva so that I can really focus on their training at home and making sure they are feeling their very best before the show.
The CHI Geneva is your home Major – do you feel this gives you a home advantage when competing there or is there an added pressure?
The crowd at the CHI Geneva is so supportive – there is nothing quite like it. I love having my family and friends there supporting and watching me, it really motivates me to do well and make them proud.
You have had so much success with Leone Jei in recent years – tell us about him and what it is about him that makes him so successful?
He is an incredible horse with so much talent. He has won some of the biggest Grands Prix in the world as well as Championship medals. Leone Jei is a great partner to have – he can compete anywhere, he jumps just as well indoors as he does in outdoor arenas; he adapts himself to any arena and for any competition. He has such a lovely character; he is always eager to compete and jump. I love this about him.
How important is your wider team, for example grooms, vets etc. in your success?
My wider team play a fundamental role as part of my success – so much goes on behind-the-scenes. My parents have been fundamental in building a special team around me, this allows me to really focus on my training and doing well in the ring. I do not have to think about anything else apart from training and competing, as my team manages everything else. I have some great grooms that look after our horses, I would not have this amount of success without my grooms. I am very fortunate to have such a good support group, as well as having parents who help me with everything.
Much like The Championships, Wimbledon in Tennis and The Masters in Golf, the CHI Geneva is a Major. What is about the Majors in sport that is so special and why are they so important?
The Majors are some of the most important shows in the calendar; they are ones that every rider aims to win and dreams of competing at when they are growing up. They are the pinnacle of our sport, all the greats have competed at these Majors.
Growing up you watch your idols compete and win at the Majors, this makes you so motivated and driven to train and do well in competitions so that one day you can join them at these venues and to be perhaps fortunate enough to win one of the Majors.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping provides a chance for two young riders to compete in each Major, how important is this in inspiring the next generation of top riders?
It is extremely important that this opportunity is offered to the next generation as they will gain priceless experience competing at a Major. Competing alongside the best riders in the world allows you to watch and learn from them – which is so valuable. I was very fortunate when I was younger to compete at the Swiss 5* shows which gave me the opportunity to ride at the highest level as young rider, even though I wasn’t at the top level yet – I learnt so much from these incredible opportunities. After a show, when you go back home, you have so much you want work on and many additional goals – it is inspirational.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is celebrating its 10-year anniversary – how big an impact has it had on the sport?
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has an incredible impact on the sport, and has put it on a whole new level. It is a unique series which connects the four best shows in the world, and gives riders something to really aim towards – it has really changed the level of the sport!
If you weren’t a show jumper, what would you have been?
I definitely would have still worked with horses – I really enjoy being around them. I love the teaching and training side as well as the dealing side. So, I would probably have been involved in dealing horses and managing people.
What keeps you motivated and hungry for success?
I really like to compete and to jump the best shows. I also love seeing a young horse develop and learn, it is incredibly rewarding watching a horse develop to the top level. It is a very satisfying part of the our job. In our sport, you never get bored, each horse is so unique, which means that every day is different. This makes you become a better rider and horseman to try and get the best out each individual horse as well as trying to provide them with the best life possible.
To learn more about Martin Fuchs’ team from his travelling groom, Sean Vard, listen to our latest Podcast: ‘Rolex Grand Slam Talks: ‘Through the Groom's Eyes with Sean Vard’’ on Spotify.
(Photo: MBC. ©CHI de Genève / Joseph Carlucci)
The current administrative counsellor of the city of Geneva, in charge of the Department of Security and Sports of the City of Geneva, answered our questions a few weeks before the 2023 edition of CHI Geneva.
As an administrative counsellor in charge of the Department of Security and Sports, you must be a great expert on the Geneva International Horse Show. What role does it play in Geneva's major sporting events calendar?
It's a very important competition for Geneva and has become a must-attend event. The CHIG helps to raise the profile of our city and establishes it as a world-class equestrian centre. We want to promote and host sporting events of this kind, because they provide the public with a real thrill and showcase Geneva in the best possible light. The City of Geneva has been delighted to support this event for several years. Like all major events, the Competition also generates economic and tourism spin-offs.
The Geneva International Horse Show (CHI Geneva) is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. What are the positive impacts of CHI Geneva on the city in terms of the economy, job opportunities and business investments?
I think we need to look at this from a global perspective. Hotel occupancy rates in Geneva were exceptional in the first half of the year, and the current trend remains positive. The CHIG is bound to contribute to this. The media spin-offs from the Competition also helps to strengthen Geneva's international image, with long-term economic effects. The CHIG is a highly competitive event with riders of a very high calibre. It therefore resonates with the 'Geneva' brand: a city that cultivates precision and excellence in the eyes of the world, notably through its watchmaking industry.
How does the event benefit Geneva's equestrian community and young people?
This is an important aspect. The link between elite and amateur sport is fundamental, and I place it at the heart of the sports policy I am pursuing in the City of Geneva. Public access to horses and riders helps to link these two poles. For volunteers and equestrian enthusiasts, it's also an opportunity to discover another facet of their sport. All the elite riders were once amateur riders. The CHIG is also a way of inspiring new vocations and encouraging the next generation of riders.
How are the CHIG organising committee and the City of Geneva working together?
The City of Geneva is in close contact with the organising committee to ensure that everything runs smoothly. This competition is recognised as the best horse show in the world, and it has won this prize 10 times, which is proof of its excellence. As far as the City of Geneva is concerned, we renew our financial support every year through a multi-year agreement. We want the people who come to see the competition to have an unforgettable experience, and we want foreign spectators to take advantage of the event and to visit Geneva.
In your opinion, has the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which is part of CHI Geneva, had a positive impact on the global recognition of Geneva?
I think that this positively contributes to the reputation of Geneva, which is known for its watchmaking and its close historical connections with the watchmaking world. CHI Geneva continues this tradition. More generally, this link between business, sport and civil society is essential to the city's appeal.
Rolex is heavily involved in CHI Geneva and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in an official capacity. In your opinion, how much of an impact does Rolex have on Geneva and global sport?
Rolex is a very important company for the City and the Canton. Let's not forget that if we can deliver quality services in Geneva, it's thanks to large companies like Rolex that are present on our soil and that generate income and employment. Rolex is also very involved in the city, in sport and in culture. Geneva owes a lot to Rolex.
Stay informed of all information on the Rolex Grand Slam
