World’s Top Riders Seek Rolex Grand Slam Glory at CHI Geneva

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will once again close its season in spectacular fashion at the Palexpo from 11–14 December, as CHI Geneva stages another edition of one of the sport’s most revered Majors. Marking its 64th edition, the event takes on added significance in 2025, as Rolex headlines the Rolex Grand Prix for the 25th time – a partnership that has helped elevate the Swiss Major to global prominence. Over four days of elite competition, many of the world’s top riders – including no fewer than 14 Major winners – and horses will return to Geneva’s festive indoor arena, with the show culminating in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix.

Since becoming part of the Rolex Grand Slam in 2013, CHI Geneva has produced some of the sport’s most unforgettable moments. Swiss stars and Rolex Testimonees Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs have become synonymous with the Palexpo, delivering performances that have helped to shape the event’s identity. Both return in 2025 to the arena where they achieved some of their most career-defining victories.

Guerdat – a three-time Major winner – arrives with a record that speaks for itself, and his 2013 and 2015 triumphs aboard Nino des Buissonnets remain among the most memorable in the history of CHI Geneva's Rolex Grand Prix. With back-to-back Rolex Grand Slam victories at Geneva (2019, 2021) and Spruce Meadows (2023, 2024), Fuchs arrives as one of the sport’s strongest Major contenders.

This year’s international line-up promises fierce competition. Germany fields a formidable squad: Daniel Deusser, another rider boasting three Major triumphs; Richard Vogel, winner of the 2023 Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva and one of show jumping’s rising forces, Christian Ahlmann, a one-time Major winner [CHIO Aachen 2014]; alongside Sophie Hinners, Christian Kukuk, and Hans-Dieter Dreher – all capable of delivering the faultless rounds that Geneva demands.

Austria’s Max Kühner, a past Major winner at The Dutch Masters in 2021, returns with ambitions of adding to his already impressive record. The current world number 23’s technical riding is particularly well suited to Geneva’s indoor arena.

Belgium brings an exceptionally strong delegation in the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen in 2017, Grégory Wathelet, Nicola Philippaerts, and Gilles Thomas – a combination of experience, firepower, and emerging brilliance, with the latter rider set to challenge for this year's Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final crown for the first time. Each of these three athletes arrive with genuine Major-winning potential.

France adds further star power through Julien Epaillard, who is renowned for his electrifying speed. ‘The Flying Frenchman’ will be supported by the seasoned talents of Kevin Staut and one-time Major winner Simon Delestre, who claimed his Rolex Grand Slam title at The Dutch Masters 2025.

From Great Britain, current world number three-ranked rider Ben Maher returns as one of the sport’s most dependable big-event performers. The Tokyo 2020 Individual Olympic champion – who will have his first Major victory in his sights – will be joined by Scott Brash, who arrives in Geneva as the Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender following his Spruce Meadows Major victory with Hello Jefferson in September. Brash's 2025 form, his current world number two ranking, and five Major victories, including his previous Rolex Grand Prix win at CHI Geneva in 2014, ensure he remains a headline presence. Rising talents Harry Charles and Jessica Mendoza bolster an already potent British challenge, which is further strengthened by the addition of Donald Whitaker.

Ireland is represented by a phenomenally experienced contingent, comprising Denis Lynch, Cian O’Connor, Daniel Coyle, and Shane Sweetnam, with each of them bringing proven class from the world’s most demanding 5* shows. The quartet is joined by Tom Wachman, who will be competing at his third Major, and whose strong upward trajectory marks him as one of Ireland’s brightest young contenders.

With his trademark composure, the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders will be aiming to defend his 2024 CHI Geneva Rolex Grand Prix title, while Kim Emmen further strengthens the Dutch bid. Their challenge is bolstered by the presence of Willem Greve, another rider with a Major victory to his name [The Dutch Masters 2024], who can excel in Geneva’s demanding arena.

Sweden’s charge is spearheaded by the 2022 Individual and Team World Champion, and one-time Major winner [The Dutch Masters 2019] Henrik von Eckermann, whose wealth of experience makes him a formidable opponent in Geneva’s technical Grand Prix. He is joined this year by fellow Swedish star Peder Fredricson.

North America is represented by the current highest ranked rider in the world, Kent Farrington, whose Rolex Grands Prix victories at CHI Geneva in 2017 and CHIO Aachen in 2019 make him a force to be reckoned with. Farrington will be joined by compatriot and one of America’s brightest talents, Lillie Keenan, as well as U.S. contender Kyle King, who finished a very commendable second in this year’s CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows.

Brazilian contender Pedro Veniss heads back to Geneva – where he won the Rolex Grand Prix in 2016 – armed with the composure and top-level experience that have kept him competitive at the sport’s highest level. Host nation Switzerland will be out in full force.

Alongside Guerdat and Fuchs, the home bid is strengthened by Edouard Schmitz and Pius Schwizer, while rising U25 talent Gaëtan Joliat adds further depth to an already powerful Swiss contingent.

Gérard Lachat will once again design the Rolex Grand Prix course at CHI Geneva, pairing bold lines with towering jumps, pushing horses and riders to their limits. With top riders, world-class horses, and the final Major of the season on the line, CHI Geneva 2025 promises a thrilling climax, where skill, courage, and ambition will define the next chapter of the Rolex Grand Slam.

Photos: Rolex/Ashley Neuhof, CHI Geneva/Bujard