Press release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

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 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...

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.

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)...

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...

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 Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus on top of the class’s prize-money. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1 million bonus.