“It is like a love story, really,” Switzerland’s national treasure Steve Guerdat told World of Showjumping about his emotional connection to the traditional venue at CHI Geneva after winning the 2023 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in front of a fully packed Palexpo last Friday night. “For all these years, I keep coming back and I have been very lucky to have had a lot of success here. My family and friends are here, and even though every win is special, every win here is even more special.”
Riding the 14-year-old gelding Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly x Djalisco du Guet, bred by Laurent & Gabrielle Vincent), Guerdat took his third Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final-title.
And with this photo special, we look back at the action at Palexpo through the magical lens of Mackenzie Clark.
All photos © Mackenzie Clark. No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com and Mackenzie Clark. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
The class of 2023: Harrie Smolders, Simon Delestre, Steve Guerdat, Ben Maher, Kent Farrington, Henrik von Eckermann, Julien Epaillard, Martin Fuchs, Shane Sweetnam and Max Kühner.
Prior to the 22nd edition of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, Kent Farrington and Steve Guerdat had both won the prestigious final on two previous occasions; Farrington in 2015 with Voyeur and in 2019 with Austria 2 and Guerdat in 2010 with Jalisca Solier and in 2018 with Alamo.
France had two riders in the final this year; the current rank eight Simon Delestre and current rank six Julien Epaillard.
Switzerland's Martin Fuchs greeting the Palexpo-crowds during the traditional parade before the action got underway.
Kent Farrington...
...and Julien Epaillard saying hi to the enthusiastic audience at CHI Geneva.
The newly elected IJRC President Francois Mathy Jr. walked the course with Alban Poudret.
Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz were the first pair out in round one.
Full on focus mode from the pathfinders.
Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz made it all look like a walk in the park, posting a picture-perfect clear.
Set by Gérard Lachat and Louis Konickx, the first-round track challenged the exceptional starting field of the very best horse-and-rider-combinations in the world with its delicate lines. Second out, Harrie Smolders and Monaco N.O.P. picked up 12 faults. This was also the end result for Max Kühner, who finished 10th behind Smolders in 9th. With a score of four and eight over the two rounds, Julien Epaillard finished 8th – also he on a score of 12 penalties overall.
France's Simon Delestre and Dexter Fontenis Z entering the arena.
Chasing that third title...
Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy lifted up the roof at Palexpo when delivering the second clear of the night.
“For all these years, I keep coming back and I have been very lucky to have had a lot of success here," Guerdat said.
Full on power-mode from Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei, who picked up eight faults in round one – eventually ending 5th after a clear in round two.
Kent Farrington and Greya had an unfortunate fault in the middle of the triple combination in the first round.
“I am very proud to have her jump at this level today," Farrington said about his 9-year-old Greya.
Great Britain's Harry Charles was there to support his compatriot Ben Maher.
Ben Maher and Faltic HB ran into trouble at the triple combination – ending the first round on eight penalties, to eventually finish 7th after a clear in the second round.
The 2022-title defenders Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward delivered the third clear in round one.
“The first round felt great," von Eckermann said.
As the riders returned to the second round in reverse order, von Eckermann made sure to watch the first few before running to the warm-up.
True to tradition, the riders stay for ring-side interviews with Alban Poudret after their second round. Here Ben Maher's Faltic HB leaves the ring with his groom Derren Lake.
Simon Delestre and Dexter Fontenis Z jumped a very fast clear in round two, keeping on their score of eight faults from round one to eventually finish fourth.
A job well done! Kent Farrington's Greya with Denise Moriarty after going clear in the second round and eventually completing the podium in third on a score of four faults from round one.
Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy were the first of three clears to return for round two...
...and they delivered again, posting the only double clear of the night.
Henrik von Eckermann with his wife Janika Sprunger.
A fence down in round two shattered the Swede's dreams of another Rolex IJRC Top 10-title, pushing him down to second behind Guerdat.
"Now, Steve has won this three times and I have been second three times," von Eckermann said. "King Edward did an amazing job as always, so I am really pleased with him."
Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz went from pathfinders to being the last pair out to decide the title. With eight penalties in round two, the two had to settle for 6th in the end – leaving the title with Guerdat.
Guerdat's wife Fanny Guerdat Skalli.
We love you! Kisses to James Kann Cruz from Shane Sweetnam's wife Ali.
Janika Sprunger getting her husband Henrik von Eckermann ready for the prize giving ceremony.
Harrie Smolder's Monaco N.O.P. and Yvonne Neu Jönsson waiting for the prize giving ceremony to start.
The darling of the CHI Geneva crowds: Steve Guerdat.
The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final 2023 podium: Henrik von Eckermann, Steve Guerdat and Kent Farrington.
The top 10 grooms: Caroline Belouet, Pauline Honoret, Maria Israelsson, Derren Lake, Louise Barraud, Emma Uusi-Simola, Denise Moriarty, Sean Vard, Yvonne Neu Jönsson and Mariella Offner.
Steve Guerdat with his long-time supporters and horse owners, Gianluca Agustoni and Sabina Cartossi.
Congratulations Team Guerdat!
Over and out from the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final 2023!
Then