CHI Geneva 2024: A Fitting Conclusion to a Season of Success

The Concours Hippique International de Genève (the CHI Geneva) returns from 11–15 December, uniting the world's best show jumpers in the iconic Palexpo Arena. Taking place in Geneva, home to the show's Presenting Sponsor, Rolex, the CHI Geneva features two of the season's most anticipated competitions: the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Top 10 Final; and the Rolex Grand Prix, the final event of the calendar year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

For almost 70 years, Rolex has cultivated an enduring legacy with the elite world of equestrianism, and the Swiss watchmaker is now a major presence at play behind the finest riders, competitions and institutions. The brand has been the Presenting Sponsor of the CHI Geneva since 1995 – this long-term partnership epitomizes the brand's contribution to excellence in equestrianism, encouraging modernization while respecting the tradition and elegance of the sport.

The 2024 edition of the show will culminate on Sunday 15 December with the Rolex Grand Prix, a competition renowned for its testing course in what is often considered to be the world's biggest indoor equestrian arena. Horse and rider combinations must perform with great harmony as they work as a team to conquer one of the sport's most demanding challenges. To capture this prestigious class, competitors must push the boundaries of their abilities, and display the highest levels of precision, bravery and athleticism – essential qualities required of both horse and rider to compete and win at this level.

The CHI Geneva is one of the four equestrian Majors – the others being The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen and the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament – that make up the sport's ultimate prize, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which rewards the rider who wins, consecutively, the Grand Prix at three of these events. Following the CHIO Aachen and the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, which both take place on large turf fields, the CHI Geneva's unique indoor setting, with its intense enclosed atmosphere, presents a different challenge.

Swiss rider and Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs once again returns to his home Major as the live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping following his back-to-back victory in the CPKC 'International' Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament 2024. Fuchs is also the only rider to have achieved consecutive Rolex Grand Prix wins at the CHI Geneva, doing so in 2019 and 2021, and will be hoping to continue his quest for the sport's most coveted prize, a feat thus far only achieved by fellow Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash.

Looking ahead to his home Major, Fuchs commented:

"Competing at the CHI Geneva is very special and winning in 2019 and 2021 was just an extraordinary feeling. Being Swiss myself, it is always very special riding in a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major in front of my home crowd. The CHI Geneva is my home show which can add a lot of pressure, however being able to perform at my best with this pressure and win in front of my family, friends, and team, really gives me additional motivation to try to perform at my best."

The Rolex Grand Prix has been won by some of the most famous names in the sport, including six additional Rolex Testimonees. Rolex's newest equestrian Testimonee, Richard Vogel, added his name to the exclusive list of riders to have triumphed at the venue when he won the Rolex Grand Prix in 2023. In doing so, he claimed his first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major.

Defending champion of the Rolex Grand Prix, Vogel stated:

"To win the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva was a dream come true. The atmosphere there is amazing and something unique to our sport. The size of the arena and the incredible facilities make it one of the best shows in the world. It is a privilege to now be part of the Rolex family, and I am hoping to repeat last year's victory."

ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL

Taking place on the Friday night at the CHI Geneva, the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final gathers the world's top 10 ranked riders, who compete against each other for the right to be crowned champion. The innovative and globally renowned event, which is often likened to the Nitto ATP Finals and WTA Finals in tennis, brings together the world's best equestrian athletes based on their results throughout the year.

The unique class has been supported by Rolex since its inception in 2001 and features the most consistent riders across the course of the year. This year, three Rolex Testimonees will compete for one of the sport's desirable prizes, including last year's victor Steve Guerdat who made history as the first rider to win the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final three times (2010, 2018, 2023), and did so in front of a jubilant home crowd. Guerdat has remained near the top of the World Rankings throughout 2024 with a number of impressive results, which included an individual silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A three-time winner of the class, Guerdat said:

"The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final is a very unique class. It is such a special class to have the best of the best competing against each other and adds to the excitement of the Friday night at the CHI Geneva. It has become a class that every rider seeks to qualify for and win. When you qualify to take part, you feel rewarded and proud as it signifies that you have performed amazingly throughout the year with all your horses. It is a remarkable feeling competing in this unique class and the drive to win fuels your performance."

America's Kent Farrington, a two-time winner of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final (2015, 2019) is another rider who claimed a Rolex Grand Prix win at one of the Rolex Series events as part of his notable success this year, doing so at the CSIO Jumping International de la Baule – Officiel de France. Richard Vogel is another rider whose consistency will be rewarded with a place in the esteemed class. Vogel has placed within the top 10 at many five-star competitions throughout the year including the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen, and the CPKC 'International' Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament.

Four additional Rolex Testimonees have previously triumphed in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final namely Kevin Staut (2017), Scott Brash (2014), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (2004, 2006) and Rodrigo Pessoa (2003, 2005), demonstrating the consistent nature of the achievements accomplished by the Rolex equestrian family.

Previous Rolex Grand Prix Winners

2023 Richard Vogel (GER), United Touch S

2022 McLain Ward (USA), HH Azur

2021 Martin Fuchs (SUI), Leone Jei

2019 Martin Fuchs (SUI), Clooney 51

2018 Marcus Ehning (GER), Pret A Tout
2017 Kent Farrington (USA), Gazelle

2016 Pedro Veniss (BRA), Quabri de L'Isle
2015 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Nino des Buissonnets
2014 Scott Brash (GBR), Hello Sanctos
2013 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Nino des Buissonnets
2012 Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Itôt du Château
2011 Alvaro de Miranda (BRA), AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan
2010 Kevin Staut (FRA), Silvana*HDC
2008 Eric Lamaze (CAN), Hickstead
2007 Ludger Beerbaum (GER), All Inclusive NRW
2006 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Jalisca Solier
2005 Thomas Frühmann (AUT), The Sixth Sense
2004 Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Baloubet du Rouet
2003 Thomas Velin (DAN), Equest Carnute

Previous Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final Winners

2023 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Venard de Cerisy, (Geneva)

2022 Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), King Edward (Geneva)

2021 Ben Maher (GBR), Explosion W (Geneva)

2019 Kent Farrington (SUI), Austria 2 (Geneva)

2018 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Alamo, (Geneva)
2017 Kevin Staut (FRA), Rêveur de Hurtebise* HDC, (Geneva)

2016 Eric Lamaze (CAN), Fine Lady 5, (Geneva)
2015 Kent Farrington (USA), Voyeur, (Geneva)
2014 Scott Brash (GBR), Hello Sanctos, (Geneva)
2013 Daniel Deusser (GER), Evita van de Veldbalie, (Stockholm)
2012 Christian Ahlmann (GER), Taloubet Z, (Geneva)
2011 Billy Twomey (IRL), Tinka's Serenade, (Paris)
2010 Steve Guerdat (SUI), Jalisca Solier, (Geneva)
2009 Marcus Ehning (GER), Plot Blue, (Paris)
2008 Michel Robert (FRA), Kellemoi de Pepita, (Brussels)
2007 Jessica Kürten (IRL), Castle Forbes Libertina, (Geneva)
2006 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Shutterfly, (Geneva)
2005 Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Baloubet du Rouet, (Geneva)
2004 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Shutterfly, (Geneva)
2003 Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Baloubet du Rouet, (Geneva)