Chi Geneva Welcomes Leading Riders to the Rolex Ijrc Top 10 Final and the Rolex Grand Prix
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PRESS RELEASE CHI GENEVA WELCOMES LEADING RIDERS TO THE ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL AND THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX 03 December 2018, Geneva, Switzerland – Held from 6–9 December, the 2018 edition of the CHI Geneva will include two of the pre-eminent equestrian competitions, namely the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Top 10 Final and the Rolex Grand Prix, the fourth and final Major of the year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The highest-ranking international riders will compete at the famous Palexpo venue, the largest indoor show jumping arena in the world. This year’s show also features the Youth Challenge, an innovative contest introduced in 2017, giving four juniors and four young equestrians, riding four young Swiss-bred horses, the chance to compete against four of the world’s top riders, including Rolex Testimonee Jeroen Dubbeldam. In last year’s competition, the established champions had to work hard to outperform the Under-21s to win the jump-off. rolex grand prix Geneva, a city with a strong equestrian heritage and home to Swiss watchmaker Rolex, is the ideal setting for the final Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the CHI Geneva Rolex Grand Prix. World-renowned course designers Gérard Lachat (SUI) and Louis Konickx (NED) have ensured a challenging circuit for the top horse and rider combinations. Each of the Majors has a long tradition of sporting excellence. As a long-term partner to all four – The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, and the CHI Geneva – Rolex appreciates the significance of the Grand Slam and has been honoured to be its exclusive partner since 2013. In contention for the Grand Slam title is Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan, who took top honours at Spruce Meadows in September. Exultant after winning the event’s CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex, the third Major of the year, El Dahan will attempt to finish his equestrian year on a high by winning a second consecutive Major at the CHI Geneva. “I’m thrilled to have won a Major in the Grand Slam and I will now be concentrating all my efforts on the CHI Geneva,” El Dahan said. contending rolex testimonees With many Rolex Testimonees participating in the Rolex Grand Prix, El Dahan will face challenging opposition. Steve Guerdat will try for his fourth title, following wins in 2006, 2013 and 2015. The Swiss rider has been in top form this year, claiming individual bronze at the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina in September and winning the Rolex Grand 1/4 CHI GENEVA WELCOMES LEADING RIDERS TO THE ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL AND THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX Prix at CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. “Competing in my home country is fantastic, and as part of the Rolex Grand Slam, the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva is particularly significant – I will be giving it my all,” Guerdat says. Also contending will be fellow countryman Martin Fuchs, who joined the Rolex family this year and most recently earned individual silver at the World Equestrian Games. Vying for the title will also be the defending champion Kent Farrington (USA) aiming to emulate his spectacular 2017 win at the Geneva event. Hoping to compete in the Grand Prix will be Frenchman Kevin Staut and Scotsman Scott Brash, both of whom have claimed victory at Geneva in previous years. Looking to join the line-up will also include Rolex’s youngest Testimonee Bertram Allen (IRE), as well as fellow Testimonees Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED). rolex IJRC TOP 10 FINAL Only the top 10 riders are invited to compete in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, which will be held on Friday 7 December. A concept similar to the ATP World Finals in tennis, also supported by Rolex, the Top 10 Final is the only contest run by the competitors, through the IJRC. Rolex has been Title Sponsor of the event since its inception in 2001. This year will be the 18th edition, with CHI Geneva hosting for the 14th time. Rolex Testimonee and 2010 champion Steve Guerdat will be looking to regain his title in 2018. Whilst Rolex’s newest Testimonee Martin Fuchs will be contending for the very first time, endeavouring to finish his magnficient year on a high by achieving victory. a shared equestrian legacy Rolex and the CHI Geneva have been partners for 22 years, both committed to supporting the sport worldwide, including its peak events. With a 91-year heritage and named best show jumping event on nine occasions, the CHI Geneva is considered the finest equestrian show in the world. 2/4 CHI GENEVA WELCOMES LEADING RIDERS TO THE ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL AND THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX rolex equestrian heritage Rolex’s support of show jumping dates back more than 60 years. This close and enduring commitment demonstrates appreciation for a domain where tradition and excellence highlight superior skill, precision and achievement. From Pat Smythe, the greatest female show jumper ever to represent Britain and Rolex’s first equestrian Testimonee in 1957, to Scott Brash, the only rider in history to achieve the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping title in September 2015, Rolex continues to champion riders in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing. about rolex An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self- winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.rolex.com and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Through philanthropic ROLEX EQUESTRIANISM PRESS ROOM: programmes and a broad palette of sponsorship activities, Rolex is also actively https://pressroom.rolex.com/en/sports- involved in supporting the arts, sports and exploration, and encourages the spirit of and-culture/partnership-activities/rolex-and- equestrianism-news.html enterprise, as well as the conservation of natural environments. MEDIA CONTACTS: Virginie Chevailler Rolex SA [email protected] +41 22 302 26 19 Merrick Haydon rEvolution [email protected] +44 7748 186 833 3/4 CHI GENEVA WELCOMES LEADING RIDERS TO THE ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL AND THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX CHI GENEVA ROLEX GRAND PRIX PREVIOUS WINNERS 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 de Hus 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 ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL PREVIOUS WINNERS 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) *Names in bold denote Rolex equestrian Testimonees 4/4.