GENEVA SET TO PROVIDE A FITTING STAGE FOR A FESTIVAL OF EQUESTRIAN SPORT
The 62nd Concours Hippique International (CHI) Geneva, which will take place at Palexpo on 6-10 December, promises to offer some outstanding sport, with show jumping providing the customary focal point of a high-quality programme that also includes four-in-hand driving and indoor cross-country. The fans are in for a treat, with newly crowned European champion Steve Guerdat in action, along with Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping contender Martin Fuchs, with the pair heading up a strong and motivated contingent of Swiss riders.
The organisers of the CHI 5* in Geneva have once again put together an eye-catching programme that will give every competitor a chance to shine, starting with the best show jumpers in the world, who have their sights firmly set on Rolex Grand Prix on the final day of the event. There are two qualifying competitions for this the crowning moment of the CHI Geneva: Thursday evening’s Trophée de Genève and the Prix des Communes Genevoises on Friday afternoon. Other high points of the fiveday event include the Coupe de Genève – a traditional and spectacular competition featuring combination fences – and the Credit Suisse Challenge, which takes place on Saturday evening, right after the Grande Chasse. And, of course, there is the 22nd Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, which brings together the ten best riders on the planet, including Swiss duo Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs. Ranked third and fifth in the world respectively, they can both be expected to get the spectators on their feet.
The stars of tomorrow
The next generation are always high on the agenda in Geneva, with no fewer than three jumping events on the card for under-25 riders, the biggest of them the Grand Prix Defender, which will come late on Saturday morning. The national Prix Credit Suisse Jockey Club will feature on the programme once more on Wednesday, when admission will be free for all spectators.
Also returning to Palexpo are the elite of four-in-hand driving for two competitions, including the only Swiss leg of the FEI Driving World Cup, presented by Radio Télévision Suisse and taking place late on Sunday morning. The six drivers on the start list – among them Switzerland’s Jérôme Voutaz and his Franches-Montagnes – will all be aiming to show the precision and power of their driving.
Excitement guaranteed
Presented by La Tribune de Genève, the indoor cross-country will kick off Friday evening’s entertainment and is sure to be a crowdpleaser. The riders will be looking to the spectators for all their support and are sure to get a kick out of a course that takes in two arenas and comprises natural obstacles, a bank and the lake. The French contingent are expected to figure strongly, though the rest of the field will have something to say about that, not least the Swiss trio of Melody Johner, Nadja Minder and Robin Godel.
There is more to the CHI Geneva than just competition, however, with a host of attractions taking place, including some spectacular shows laid on by Marie Barcelo and Pierre-Antoine Chastang. The idea is to reveal another side to the equestrian world to spectators, who can also stroll around the exhibitors’ village, which has been redesigned this year and has even more to offer, including a number of restaurants. Swiss breeding will take pride of place as Saturday evening gets under way with the Super Final of the Swiss Breed Classic, when Switzerland’s best three-and-a-half-year-olds go head to head in a free-jumping competition.
Item added to your cart!
