Wild Cards

2026 regulations

Introduction

The Concours Hippique International de Genève offers elite and up-and-coming riders from the French-speaking part of Switzerland the opportunity to take part in certain events at the CHI de Genève.

Two types of Wild Card are available during the season:

  • Elite Wild Card
  • Wild Card U25

Modifications

The CHI de Genève committee reserves the right to modify any aspect of the Wild Cards rules or to deliberate during the season. 
 

Elite Wild Card

Overview

Five elite Wild Cards are at stake during the 2026 season. Riders of Swiss nationality domiciled in the six French-speaking cantons and the French-speaking part of the canton of Berne are eligible for the Wild Cards. In the event of a dispute, the CHI Geneva Committee will decide.

Qualifying procedure

To win one of the invitations, a rider from the French-speaking part of Switzerland must be ranked in the top five overall in the Wild Cards. In the event of a tie on points at the end of the season, the best result obtained during the season is decisive.

Wild Cards ranking

Thirteen stages are used to qualify (see below), with a maximum of seven best results taken into account (but a minimum of 5, even if there are fewer than 9 events). Five Wild Cards will be awarded to the most consistent riders in each of the three categories:

Coefficient 1 (qualifying stages for the Elite Swiss Championship 2026)

  • Grand Prix Amriswil/TG - April 6th, 2026
  • Grand Prix Uster/ZH - May 3rd, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Aarberg/BE - May 14th, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Crête/GE - May 30th, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Galgenen/SZ - June 13th, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Corcelles/NE - June 28th, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Gossau/SG - July 6th, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Chalet à Gobet/VD - August 1st, 2026

Coefficient 1 (qualifying stages for the Elite Swiss Championship 2027)

  • Grand Prix of Sion/VS - September 13th, 2026
  • Grand Prix of Giubiasco - September 27th, 2026

Coefficient 1.5

  • Final of the 2026 French-speaking championship in Avully/GE - October 2 to 4th, 2026
  • CSI2* GP in Chevenez/JU - October 18th, 2026


The top 6 riders in the Wild Cards ranking drawn up three weeks before the Chevenez CSI will be invited to this competition by the organizer.

Coefficient 2

  • Elite Swiss Championship Final 2026 in Kappelen-Lyss/BE - August 14 to 16, 2026

Points for ranking

The seven best results of the thirteen stages will be taken into account (min. 5). Competitions are divided into three coefficient categories. As a reminder, 30% of competitors are ranked in national events, 25% in international events. 

A ranking is established during the season, and the number of points awarded in each event depends on the number of classified competitors. The winner receives an additional bonus point. A minimum of eight points is awarded to the winner. Only classified riders score points. 

For the French-speaking Swiss Championship and the Swiss Elite Championship, all riders taking part in the final event score points.

For points to be counted, riders must attend the prize-giving ceremony on horseback, unless the organizer agrees otherwise.
 

Example of point counting in a competition

Coefficient 1 with 14 placed

  • 1st - 15pts
  • 2nd - 13pts
  • 3rd -12pts

Coefficient 1.5 with 14 placed

  • 1st - 23pts
  • 2nd - 20pts
  • 3rd - 18pts

Coefficient 2 with 14 placed

  • 1st - 30pts
  • 2nd - 26pts
  • 3rd - 24pts

Retroactive Wild Card

If a rider in the Top 5 of this ranking is part of the official selection or if a rider who follows in the ranking becomes the beneficiary, the organizers determine whether the Wild Card is awarded to the competitor who follows in the ranking.

Entry rights for CHI Geneva events

A Wild Card entitles the holder to ride a horse. The conditions of participation in the various events are set out in the official Avant-Programme of the CHI de Genève, validated by the organizers and the FEI. This is published on the CHI de Genève website (www.chi-geneve.ch) prior to the event, as well as on the Fédération Equestre Internationale website. Riders holding Wild Cards cannot take part in the Grand Prix of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

They may, however, have the opportunity to ride a second horse in the CSI5*, but must request this before the entry deadline. The Head of the Swiss Team and the Organizing Committee of the CHI Geneva decide whether the proposed second horse meets the criteria. 

Riders are obliged to ride the horse with which they have qualified. In the event of injury, another horse having obtained one or more N140 rankings during the current year with the same rider may take the start. In the event of a dispute, the CHI de Genève committee will decide.

Wild Cards U25

Overview

Two Wild Cards for the CSI U25 are up for grabs during the 2026 season. Riders of Swiss nationality domiciled in all Swiss cantons are eligible.

Qualification procedure

In 2026, there will be two opportunities to win a U25 Wild Card:

  • Be the best-ranked Swiss rider in the GP U25 in Zurich-Dielsdorf on May 17th.
  • Be the best-placed Swiss rider in the GP U25 at the CSI J/JC/-25 Chevenez on October 11th.

To receive his Wild Card, the rider must attend the prize-giving ceremony on horseback, except for major reasons accepted by the organizer concerned.

Entry rights for CHI Geneva events

A Wild Card entitles the rider to ride a horse in the CSI U25, which consists of three events. The conditions for participation in the various events are set out in the official CHI Geneva Preliminary Program, approved by the organizers and the FEI. This is published on the CHI de Genève website prior to the event, as well as on the Fédération Equestre Internationale website. 

 

Rules established in Geneva in March 2026.
These rules are published in the April 2026 edition of Cavalier Romand.