Since the first international show in the 1926, the CHI Geneva has been considered a synonym for jumping sport at the highest level, an event where that tradition comes to life.
Last year, Brazil’s Pedro Veniss wrote history in Geneva aboard top horse Quabri de l’Isle, celebrating his first ever Major victory at Palexpo, the biggest indoor arena in the world.
“It is the best thing ever, the biggest achievement in my career,” Veniss described of his outstanding performance nearly one year ago, which “made a childhood dream come true”.
Recently, it is the name of a young German rider that has made headlines in connection with the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. In September, Philipp Weishaupt won the Rolex Grand Prix at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ 2017 and will thus be competing in Geneva as the current Grand Slam contender; a scenario that the 32-year-old is already familiar with, since he also won the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen in 2016.
Back then, he didn’t succeed in picking up a Grand Slam bonus because he didn’t finish first at either of the subsequent Majors. However this is all going to change now.
“The fact that I have been able to win the two outdoor Majors has awaken my ambition all the more to win the two indoor Majors. It is going to be difficult, but I am going to try my very hardest,” assured Weishaupt.
If he succeeds in Geneva, he will be riding for the Grand Slam title in the Netherlands at The Dutch Masters in March 2018.
So, it goes without saying that all eyes will be cast upon Weishaupt when he enters the ring for the Rolex Grand Prix on December 10th. But, he won’t be the only rider the spectators will be keeping a close eye on.
Grégory Wathelet of Belgium was able to win the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in July and thus has the opportunity in Geneva to claim a 250,000 Euro bonus for two Major victories within one Grand Slam cycle.
Not to mention the public favorite Steve Guerdat. The Swiss Olympic gold medallist has already managed to ride to victory in the Geneva Major three times, most recently in the year 2015. Who is going to go down in history as Major winner at the CHI Geneva in 2017?
International CSI5* Horse & Rider List:
 BEL | Belgium | |
| BRUYNSEELS, Niels | Chief, Gancia de Muze, Joker vd Vlasbloemhoeve | |
| DEVOS, Pieter | Apart, Claire Z, Gin D | |
| GUERY, Jérome | Garfield de Tiji des Templiers, Icarus, Jupiter VG | |
| PHILIPPAERTS, Olivier | H&M Challenge v. Begijnakker Z, H&M Legend of Love, Ikker | |
| WATHELET, Gregory | Coree, Eldorado van het Vijverhof, Forlap | |
 BRA | Brazil | |
| VENISS, Pedro | For Felicila, Quabri de l’Isle, Uccello de Will | |
 CAN | Canada | |
| ASSELIN, Ben | Cool Feeling, Lesson Peak, Wahrhaftige CR | |
| LAMAZE, Eric | Chacco Kid, Coco Bongo, Fine Lady 5 | |
 EGY | Egypt | |
| SAÏD, Abdel | Callisto, Hope van Scherpen Donder, Venise du Reverdy | |
 FRA | France | |
| BOST, Roger Yves | Sangria du Coty, Sydney Une Prince, Tesway de la Batia | |
| CERNIN, Benoit | Tea Star d’Oyale, Uitlanders du Ter | |
| DELESTRE, Simon | Filou Carlo Zimequest, Hermes Ryan, Teavanta II C Z | |
| DEROUBAIX, Alexis | Secret du Pays d’Auge, Timon d’Aure | |
| HILLEREAU, Severin | Charron R, Radja d’Artemis | |
| LEPREVOST, Pénélope | Ilena de Mariposa, Urano de Cartigny, Vagabond de la Pomme | |
| STAUT, Kevin | Ayade de Septon et HDC, Reveur de Hurtebise HDC, Silver Deux de Virton HDC | |
 GBR | Great Britain | |
| BRASH, Scott | Hello Forever, Hello Shelby, Ursula XII | |
| MAHER, Ben | Don Vito, MTF Madame X, Winning Good | |
| WHITAKER, Michael | Cassionato, Flawless, JB’s Hot Stuff | |
 GER | Germany | |
| AHLMANN, Christian | Epleaser van’t Heike, Taloubet Z, Tokyo 2 | |
| JUNG, Michael | fischerChelsea, Fischerdaily Impressed, fischerSolution | |
| WEISHAUPT, Philipp | Asathir, Call me Eva, LB Convall | |
 IRL | Ireland | |
| ALLEN, Bertram | Christy Jnr, Dino W, Hector van d’Abdijhoeve | |
| DUFFY, Michael | Efs Top Contender, Jule van den Tinnenpot | |
| DUFFY, Michael G | Chappo Chey, Lapuccino 2 | |
| MCAULEY, Mark | Jasco v. Bisschop, Miebello, Vivaldi du Theil | |
| O’CONNOR, Cian | Donjo, Fibonacci 17, Skyhorse | |
 ISR | Israel | |
| BLUMAN, Daniel | Ladriano Z, Sancha LS | |
 ITA | Italy | |
| BICOCCHI, Emilio | Nonostante del Terriccio, Sassicaia Ares | |
| BUCCI, Piergiorgio | Diesel Gp du Bois Madame, Driandria, Heartbreaker v. Achterhoe | |
| DE LUCA, Lorenzo | Destiny van Schore, Ensor de Litrange LXII, Limestone Grey | |
| ZORZI, Alberto | Danique, Ego van Orti, Fair Light van T Heike | |
 JPN | Japan | |
| POLLE, Karen | Kino, With Wings | |
 NED | Netherlands | |
| DUBBELDAM, Jeroen | Gioia van het Neerenbosch, SFN Zenith | |
| SMOLDERS, Harrie | Capital Colnardo, Cas 2, Hos d’O | |
| VAN DER VLEUTEN, Maikel | VDL Groep Verdi TN | |
 POR | Portugal | |
| DINIZ, Luciana | Camargo 2, Fit For Fun 13, Isabeau | |
 SUI | Switzerland | |
| BAECHLER, Rachel | Nazca du Plain, Rubis Tame | |
| BALSIGER, Bryan | Ak’s Courage, Clouzot de Lassus, Poppee de Damvil | |
| BOURQUARD, Anthony | Indiana des Abattes CH, Uzo van het Hobos Z | |
| DELHAYE, Guillaume | Richebour de Cartigny | |
| DUGUET, Romain | Sherazade du Gevaudan, Twentytwo des Biches, Vancouver de Lanlore | |
| ESTERMANN, Paul | Cantini Della Caccia, Cornet’s Hope, Lord Pepsi | |
| ETTER PELLEGRIN, Marie | Alcazar du Moulin, Une de l’Othain | |
| ETTER, Daniel | I am Samourai, Kheops du Roset CH | |
| FABRE DELBOS, Frederique | Nirvana Basters, Une Tryade All | |
| FUCHS, Martin | Clooney 51, Dubai du Bois Pinchet, Uppsala du Figuier | |
| GEISER, Audrey | Holiday X, Walk For Glory Kzi CH | |
| GUERDAT, Steve | Corbinian, Eldorado V, Urzo d’Iso | |
| JORAND, Yannick | Best Of Opus Dei Z, Cipetto 2 | |
| JUFER, Alain | Casall, Rahmannshof Tic Tac, Samira 368 | |
| KOLLY, Pierre | Corvall | |
| LIEBHERR, Christina | L.B. Midship du Borda | |
| LOSER, Aurelia | Quelmec du Gery, Quinette Theod | |
| MUFF, Werner | Cornet MM, Daimler, Escoffier | |
| RUTSCHI, Niklaus | Cardano CH, Clearwater, Miramar | |
| SCHWIZER, Pius | About A Dream, Chidame Z, Leonard de la Ferme CH | |
| SMITS, Edwin | Dandiego B Z, Pikelot von Hof CH, Rouge Pierreville | |
| SPRUNGER, Janika | Bacardi VDL, Egie Of Colors, Uptown Boy | |
 SWE | Sweden | |
| FREDRICSON, Peder | H&M All In, H&M Carat Desire, H&M Christian K | |
| LINDELÖW, Douglas | Jezebel, Volstrups Cody, Zacramento | |
| VON ECKERMANN, Henrik | Artiste de l’Abbaye d’Aulne, Chacanno, Mary Lou 194 | |
 USA | United States of America | |
| FARRINGTON, Kent | Creedance, Gazelle, Voyeur | |
| HOUGH, Lauren | Ohlala, Quantas 15, Waterford | |
| KRAUT, Laura | Deauville S, Zeremonie |