Newsletter N°4 : When autumn comes
As the more faithful followers of the CHI Geneva among you already know, tickets for the event always go on sale in early October, making it the perfect time to reacquaint yourselves with a programme you know and love.
It is packed with all the usual big events, starting with Thursday evening’s Rolex Grand Prix qualifier, the Trophée de Genève. Then comes the indoor cross, presented by La Tribune de Genève, and Friday evening’s Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. Saturday brings the legendary Coupe de Genève with its combination jumps, and the UBS Challenge, which has world ranking points on offer. The high point of the event comes on Sunday, with the FEI Driving World CupTM presented by RTS setting the scene for the final event of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. With the Prix du Salève providing a new addition to the programme on Friday morning, this year’s CHI Geneva is guaranteed to fulfil your every desire and meet your lofty expectations.
And because demand for our precious tickets just keeps on growing, not least for Friday and Sunday’s offerings, we have decided to add 400 seats to the main stand. Every year, one Swiss franc from every ticket sold goes to a charity chosen with care by the CHIG committee. For this the 64th edition, proceeds will go to the Fondation pour le Cheval. Also known as Philippos, it has, since 1958, offered ageing horses, ponies and donkeys a warm and welcoming home in the Jura, where they can enjoy a well-deserved retirement. The charity’s four centres give refuge to nearly 200 animals, some of them rescued from neglect, allowing them to spend the last few years of their lives peacefully and in dignity.
We’ll catch up with you again in a few weeks’ time, but in the meantime here is some reading for you. In this our fourth newsletter, you’ll find the next instalment in our series on equestrian dynasties, which looks at Swiss drivers Werner and Stefan Ulrich; a tribute to the great Thomas Fuchs, who recently stepped down as the coach of Switzerland’s jumping team; and an article on our unsung heroes, the CHIG office team.
Happy reading!
End of an era for Swiss elite jumping
Thomas Fuchs was appointed head coach of Switzerland’s elite jumping team over 11 years ago and in that time worked hand in hand with Andy Kistler, Michel Sorg and then Peter van der Waaij. Fuchs tendered his resignation to Swiss Equestrian a few weeks ago, marking the end of an era for elite jumping in the country.
Though he did not officially become head coach until 2014, Fuchs had been operating in the background for many years prior, establishing himself as a major architect of Swiss jumping success. As he explains, one of his happiest memories predates his time as the main man: “Not surprisingly, Steve’s [Guerdat] gold medal at the London Olympics is a real emotional high point for me. The team win at the Europeans in Riesenbeck in 2021 was a very special moment too.”
A Change in the Saddle (4/6) : From father to son
Throughout the season, and just as it does every year, the CHIG newsletter is bringing you a series of articles on a specific theme. The focus for 2025 is jumping’s new generation of riders, the sons and daughters of, who are making it not because of who they are but because of what they can do. In this year’s fourth instalment, we trade the saddles for a carriage and hitch a ride with driving duo Werner Ulrich and his son Stefan.
Werner and Stefan Ulrich
Both part of the Swiss team at this year’s FEI Driving World Championship for Pair Horses in Beekbergen (Netherlands), Werner and Stefan Ulrich share a passion for a discipline they have chosen to enjoy together as a family. Following the example set by his father – a born competitor and vastly experienced with it – Stefan has dedicated a large part of his life to driving.
The CHIG’s very own winning team
The CHI Geneva office is staffed by a superb all-female team that has acquired a reputation for being friendly, approachable and tightly knit. Firmly committed to doing their job well, they are Frédérique de Lint, Pauline Weill, Hortense Fabre and Nadja Burkhardt. Together, they are responsible for the organisation and administration of the event, working as one to ensure that everything goes perfectly when the doors open to the public.
“I always get emotional whenever there’s a big moment at the event and the stands are full, the lights are blazing and the music starts blaring,” says Frédérique, a former competitive rider and CHIG office manager since 2021.
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