Martin Fuchs’ Fabulous Form Propels Him to First in the $110,000 Geneva Trophy CSI 5*

By Jumper News on 2024-12-13

Geneva, Switzerland – December 12, 2024 – The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has once again returned to the picturesque city of Geneva for the final Major of the calendar year. The CHI Geneva, which is widely regarded as the premier indoor equestrian show in the world, has once more welcomed an elite field of horse and rider combinations to the Palexpo including 17 of the top 20 ranked riders.

Although the CHI Geneva officially began on Wednesday, today marked the start of the 5* jumping classes, with the highlight coming the $110,000 Geneva Trophy CSI 5*. This prestigious class offered riders not only the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points but also a coveted place in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix.

First into the impressive main arena, Barbara Schnieper (SUI), set the standard over Gérard Lachat’s challenging course with a faultless clear round, much to the delight of the home crowd. Her clear was quickly replicated by the next to go, Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) , ensuring the crowd would be treated to a jump-off.

By the halfway point, five additional riders had secured their places in the jump-off, including team silver medallist from this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Karl Cook (USA) and Caracole de La Roque, along with three-time Major winner Marcus Ehning (GER). Faults were scattered among the early competitors, with the winners of the first Major of the year, Willem Greve (NED) and Highway TN N.O.P., finishing with just four faults, as did the ever-competitive Yuri Mansur (BRA).

Sweden’s Peder Fredricson (SWE) was another rider to collect an unlucky four faults. However, such is the calibre of the field at the CHI Geneva that within the next five horses, the passionate and knowledgeable fans were treated to clear rounds from both the reigning individual World and European gold medallists Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), and Steve Guerdat (SUI).

Faults were spread throughout the first round, but the most challenging obstacle proved to be the third fence – an oxer off a tight right turn – where 18 percent of all faults occurred. However, Rolex Testimonees Martin Fuchs (SUI) – the current live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – and Daniel Deusser (GER) displayed exceptional levels of horsemanship and skill to produce a coveted clear round, as did 10 additional riders.

After a short break, the jump-off commenced with riders entering the arena in the same order as the first round. It was Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) who set the pace with a clear in the time of 40.95 seconds. Germany’s Marcus Ehning (GER) then took the lead with a smooth round in 37.79 seconds, however his time looked beatable. Next to go, Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) proved this to be true crossing the line after the final Rolex oxer 3.46 seconds faster.

Heartbreak initially came for the Swiss crowd when home favourite Steve Guerdat (SUI) who managed to beat the Italian’s time could not quite produce a clear round. The Palexpo then came alight when Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Conner Jei took the lead with only four horses left to jump. Daniel Coyle challenged for the top spot with an incredibly fast round in 33.33 seconds but the second part of the double fell. None of the remaining riders could match Fuchs’ round, and the Swiss rider took the class for the inaugural time.

Speaking on his victory, Fuchs commented: “Conner Jei jumped incredibly this evening – he is an amazing horse. It is always a sensation feeling to win in front of my home crowd, the atmosphere here at the CHI Geneva is great. We are now looking forward to Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix.”

Final Results – CHF $110,000 Geneva Trophy

1) Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Conner Jei – 0 / 0 – 33.66

2) Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) & Denver de Talma – 0 / 0 – 34.33

3) Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM – 0 / 0 – 35.25

FULL RESULTS

COURSE MAP

Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping