The 61st edition of the Concours Hippique International de Genève provided incredible competition on Friday night as the world’s top ten ranked riders competed against each other in the unique Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. With the Champion determined according to the least faults in the first and second round, and the fastest time in the second round, the pressure was on.
In front of an enthusiastic full house, the top three riders in the first round was France’s Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper who closed with the clock stopping at 65.90; Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli with Like A Diamond van het Schaeck under the saddle closing at 66.70, and world number one Henrick Von Eckermann stopping the clock at 67.47 aboard the 12-year-old chestnut gelding owned by Dufour Stables Ag.
Von Eckermann and ‘the king of horses,’ as he calls the talented King Edward, eighth to go in the second round, performed beautifully leaving two riders—Delestre and Zanotelli—with a 48.42 to beat.
Though happy with his performance, immediately following his ride, Von Eckermann shared: “I should have gone faster going to the second but last jump… there are two more left to go and they are dangerous. In any case, my horse remains the king of horses. He’s simply amazing.” His horse did remain the king for the night as Zanotelli ‘tried it all to be competitive’ but closed with 48.87 seconds along with a rail down.
Simon Delestre & Cayman Jolly Jumper
Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper laid down a beautiful ride which brought them second place honors thanks to their 49.35. “Competition here is tough and my horse was great,” said the Frenchman about the royally bred 2012 gelding by Hickstead owned by Go Horses, Philippe Berthol Agriculture. “This is the second time I come in second; I will carry on trying to get to the top of the podium and would like to thank Geneva and the public for their support.”
According to Von Eckerman: “Winning this event has always been my dream; this is my fourth time showing and I’ve come in second twice so I am thrilled. I truly cannot describe how I feel, I guess luck was on my side and I can never stop underlining how incredible and fantastic this horse is. I truly do look forward to the future him as he is young, fresh, and full of talent.” The world number one also gave credit to his wife for her support and the owners for giving him the opportunity to be where he is today.
Peder Fredricson & Catch Me Not S
The Swedish flag flew high on the third step of the podium as Olympic Champion Peder Fredricson and Ebba Berglöf’s Catch Me Not S, who closed the first round with a one point time penalty, rode to a beautiful clear round in 57.30 seconds. “He’s a really quick horse but the rider was slow tonight,” said Fredricson about the 16-year-old grey gelding by Cardento 933. “One never knows how things will go because we all try to beat each other and hope the others make mistakes.”
The fourth and final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2022 will be held on Sunday, 11. Initiated in 2013, The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the most sought-after prize in the sport, awarded to a rider who completes the impressive feat of winning three consecutive Majors. CHI de Genève is one of the competitions of the Rolex Grand Slam. The prestigious concept unites the planet’s four iconic jumping shows: the CHIO d’Aix-la-Chapelle (GER), Spruce Meadows “Masters” de Calgary (CAN), The Dutch Masters de Bois-le-Duc (NED) and the CHI de Genève (SUI).
To this day, Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash is the only Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Champion, with his historical victory in 2015.
Find out more www.rolexgrandslam.com
For further information: www.chi-geneve.ch
Photos by International Horse Press / @Ctanierephotographie
Press release by Simona Diale / International Horse Press
