After the first-round track for the 2023 Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva – set by Gerard Lachat and Louis Konickx – had narrowed down the field of forty horse-and-rider combinations to seven, the last Major of the year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping at the 62nd edition of CHI Geneva turned into a one-horse show as Germany's Richard Vogel and United Touch S left their competitors with no chance to come close to the win.
Counting 14 obstacles and 18 efforts, it was the tight time allowed of 73 seconds that turned out to be the deciding factor in round one. "We are here at the Rolex Grand Slam and it is going to be the fastest and hardest it can be," Vogel said about the demanding questions of the course that came with relentless pace.
And with these photos, we look back at the action during the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva. First; curtain call for Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz.
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Home hero Martin Fuchs came to CHI Geneva as the Grand Slam Live Contender after winning the $3,000,000 CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ back in September.
Husband and wife, the equestrian-edition; Henrik von Eckermann and Janika Sprunger walking the course.
With a rail on the penultimate oxer down, it was unfortunately not to be for Live Contender Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei after their Grand Prix win at Spruce Meadows.
Oh, the agony... Sweden's Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S had a rail on the very last oxer down.
It takes a village... Switzerland's Barbara Schnieper and Canice leaving the ring after a great round, with an unfortunate pole down at the penultimate fence.
After Richard Vogel and United Touch S had posted the first clear of the afternoon, it was time for Ireland's Daniel Coyle and Legacy to enter the ring as pair number sixteen.
It wouldn't be Geneva without this wall...
Finishing the course with two time penalties, Coyle and Legacy were one of four pairs to clear the fences but who struggled with the time allowed of 73 seconds.
Switzerland's national treasure: Steve Guerdat and the wonderful Dynamix de Belheme made the tricky track look like a walk in the park.
Guerdat and Dynamix lifted the roof at the sold-out Palexpo when posting the second flawless round to secure a jump-off.
Two darlings of the CHI Geneva crowds.
All smiles behind the scenes after a clear round for Team Guerdat.
Emma Uusi-Simola and Gianluca Agustoni celebrate Guerdat's clear.
Belgium's Wilm Vermeir and Iq van het Steentje posted the third clear of the afternoon, and Chef d'Equipe Peter Weinberg was there to support.
The Towers of Molard at fence ten measured 1.65m...
Richard Vogel and Philipp Weishaupt walking back to the warm-up after watching Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 jump clear.
Scott Brash – the only rider to ever have won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – and Hello Jefferson on their way to the ring, followed by their long-time groom David Honnet.
Switzerland's Janika Sprunger brought the wonderful 9-year-old Orelie to the start in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva.
Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan vd Donkhoeve were the fifth pair to clear the first-round track.
A very happy Team Springsteen.
France's Julien Epaillard – here celebrating his clear round with his wife Susana – and Dubai du Cedre joined the jump-off as well. The pair eventually finished fifth.
Attitude of gratitude: Current world number one Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward. With two down, it was not their day, but the Swede was anyhow thankful for the effort from his fantastic horse.
“I had the luck – or the bad luck – to be able to see Richie’s jump-off,” Steve Guerdat – who finished fourth in the end – told the media after the class. “The luck, because I love this sport and when you see a moment like this, you really have to appreciate it to its right value, because it is not something you see that often."
Kisses to Don Juan from Josie Eliasson. The stallion finished 6th in the Grand Prix, after two rails down in the jump-off.
Just one more glance at the Rolex Grand Slam trophy as we say goodbye to the last Major of the year...
...and turn towards 2024 and The Dutch Masters.
Then