Henrik von Eckermann and Steve Guerdat are two giants of modern show jumping, consistently delivering exceptional performances on the world stage. Von Eckermann, reigning world number one for 29 consecutive months, has achieved unparalleled success alongside his horse, King Edward, including double gold at the World Championships and multiple victories in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final. Meanwhile, Guerdat, a Swiss phenomenon with an extraordinary career spanning six Olympic participations and three Top Ten victories, continues to captivate audiences with his precision and passion. Together, they exemplify the pinnacle of equestrian sport. And both of them will be at their best in Geneva...
Henrik Von Eckermann, born on 25th of May 1981, has been number 1 in the world rankings for twenty-nine consecutive months. This is yet another record for the Swedish rider to add to his enviable palmares, although he is used to memorable performances in partnership with the magnificent King Edward. Over the past five years, the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final has also been the conquering ground for the unstoppable duo. "Many of my dreams have come true with King Edward, and the Top Ten was one of them", said Henrik right after they signed the 2022 victory. Von Eckermann was also the runner-up in the 2021 and 2023 editions.
Henrik von Eckermann: "If you want to be in the ranking, it is not enough to have a single good performance"Swedish by birth, German by adoption as an equestrian, Dutch by residence, Henrik von Eckermann is the ultimate expression of a modern way of conceiving equestrian sport. He trained at the school of Ludger Beerbaum, who remains to this day his first point of reference and his idol. In 2023 and 2024 he won the World Cup final in Omaha and Riyadh and the team gold medal in the European Championship in Milan while in 2022 he achieved his goal of double gold in the World Championship in Herning. In 2021, at the Olympics in Tokyo, he was fourth-placed individually and team gold with the sporting partner of his greatest successes: King Edward.
You’ve been on the podium of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final four times out of five participations. What’s the magic about this class?
"That’s correct. I’ve been twice second and I won it once. I think this is one of the favourite competitions of the year with the ten best gathered in the same class. If you want to be in the ranking, it is not enough to have a single good performance. You’ve got to be good for the all year round to get in the Top Ten. It’s a nice class I always looked at it when I was a child and I often dreamt of competing in it one day. Now, being part of it it’s magic. It’s a class that gets better every year... It’s really challenging to compete with the riders that have been more consistently at the top of the highest level over the year".
As a true ambassador of the sport, which is your message to the equestrian people?
"I guess it is important that you think everyday about how you can improve and become a better horse person. You’ve got to do better every day. It is very important. Especially in the horsemanship, our relation with horses. We must consider they are doing a lot for us and we have to find the right way to give them back our best in exchange".
Which horse will you ride in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final and why?
"Actually I haven’t decided yet. It will be King Edward or Iliana".
What is the moment from last season that you carry in your heart?
"The World Cup Final for sure. Winning the World Cup Final for the second time in a raw was special. And also the Top Ten: it is always a special competition".
Steve Guerdat: "The Top Ten is a special class because you have the best riders and horses of the sport together for one class in a special format that is very nice"
With his victory in the 2023 edition of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final on Venard de Cerisy, Steve Guerdat set a new record: no one had ever been on the roll of honour of this prestigious event three times. The victory came at the end of a spectacular jump-off. The Palexpo favourite was the only one of the three riders admitted (he was joined by Von Eckermann and Farrington) to score a clear round.
Prior to the 2023 edition, the Swiss star, who is a phenomenon in the world of show jumping, had already won this competition in 2010 (Jalisca Solier) and in 2018 (Alamo). In the last eleven years, Steve has only missed the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final twice, in 2015 and 2022.
Enfant prodige, aged 20, he became the youngest rider to break into the Top Ten.
His achievements are nothing less than extraordinary: 6 Olympic participations (the last one in Paris where he won the individual silver medal), 8 European Championships (the first one in San Patrignano in 2005). He was individual gold in London 2012, scored three victories in the FEI World Cup finals, was individual bronze medallist at the 2018 World Championships in Tryon and wears the 2023 European Championships winner's sash earned in Milan.
His headquarters are in Elgg, in the Zurich district, in the former stable of the great champion Paul Weier.
Which horse will you ride in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final and why?
"I will ride Venard de Cerisy".
What is the moment from last season that you carry in your heart?
"The Olympic Games in Paris".
What plans do you have for 2025?
"The same as every year. The Word Cup Final in Basel, and then the Rolex Grand Slam Shows".
The Top Ten in Geneve is special... What is the added value of this competition for you?
"I probably answer this question a hundred and fifty times... The Top Ten in Geneve is special because it’s one of the best show in the year and the Top Ten is a special class because you have the best riders and horses of the sport together for one class in a special format that is very nice, easy to understand for the public. It’s the best our sport has to offer".
Henrik Von Eckermann, born on 25th of May 1981, has been number 1 in the world rankings for twenty-nine consecutive months. This is yet another record for the Swedish rider to add to his enviable palmares, although he is used to memorable performances in partnership with the magnificent King Edward. Over the past five years, the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final has also been the conquering ground for the unstoppable duo. "Many of my dreams have come true with King Edward, and the Top Ten was one of them", said Henrik right after they signed the 2022 victory. Von Eckermann was also the runner-up in the 2021 and 2023 editions.
Henrik von Eckermann: "If you want to be in the ranking, it is not enough to have a single good performance"Swedish by birth, German by adoption as an equestrian, Dutch by residence, Henrik von Eckermann is the ultimate expression of a modern way of conceiving equestrian sport. He trained at the school of Ludger Beerbaum, who remains to this day his first point of reference and his idol. In 2023 and 2024 he won the World Cup final in Omaha and Riyadh and the team gold medal in the European Championship in Milan while in 2022 he achieved his goal of double gold in the World Championship in Herning. In 2021, at the Olympics in Tokyo, he was fourth-placed individually and team gold with the sporting partner of his greatest successes: King Edward.
You’ve been on the podium of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final four times out of five participations. What’s the magic about this class?
"That’s correct. I’ve been twice second and I won it once. I think this is one of the favourite competitions of the year with the ten best gathered in the same class. If you want to be in the ranking, it is not enough to have a single good performance. You’ve got to be good for the all year round to get in the Top Ten. It’s a nice class I always looked at it when I was a child and I often dreamt of competing in it one day. Now, being part of it it’s magic. It’s a class that gets better every year... It’s really challenging to compete with the riders that have been more consistently at the top of the highest level over the year".
As a true ambassador of the sport, which is your message to the equestrian people?
"I guess it is important that you think everyday about how you can improve and become a better horse person. You’ve got to do better every day. It is very important. Especially in the horsemanship, our relation with horses. We must consider they are doing a lot for us and we have to find the right way to give them back our best in exchange".
Which horse will you ride in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final and why?
"Actually I haven’t decided yet. It will be King Edward or Iliana".
What is the moment from last season that you carry in your heart?
"The World Cup Final for sure. Winning the World Cup Final for the second time in a raw was special. And also the Top Ten: it is always a special competition".
Steve Guerdat: "The Top Ten is a special class because you have the best riders and horses of the sport together for one class in a special format that is very nice"
With his victory in the 2023 edition of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final on Venard de Cerisy, Steve Guerdat set a new record: no one had ever been on the roll of honour of this prestigious event three times. The victory came at the end of a spectacular jump-off. The Palexpo favourite was the only one of the three riders admitted (he was joined by Von Eckermann and Farrington) to score a clear round.
Prior to the 2023 edition, the Swiss star, who is a phenomenon in the world of show jumping, had already won this competition in 2010 (Jalisca Solier) and in 2018 (Alamo). In the last eleven years, Steve has only missed the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final twice, in 2015 and 2022.
Enfant prodige, aged 20, he became the youngest rider to break into the Top Ten.
His achievements are nothing less than extraordinary: 6 Olympic participations (the last one in Paris where he won the individual silver medal), 8 European Championships (the first one in San Patrignano in 2005). He was individual gold in London 2012, scored three victories in the FEI World Cup finals, was individual bronze medallist at the 2018 World Championships in Tryon and wears the 2023 European Championships winner's sash earned in Milan.
His headquarters are in Elgg, in the Zurich district, in the former stable of the great champion Paul Weier.
Which horse will you ride in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final and why?
"I will ride Venard de Cerisy".
What is the moment from last season that you carry in your heart?
"The Olympic Games in Paris".
What plans do you have for 2025?
"The same as every year. The Word Cup Final in Basel, and then the Rolex Grand Slam Shows".
The Top Ten in Geneve is special... What is the added value of this competition for you?
"I probably answer this question a hundred and fifty times... The Top Ten in Geneve is special because it’s one of the best show in the year and the Top Ten is a special class because you have the best riders and horses of the sport together for one class in a special format that is very nice, easy to understand for the public. It’s the best our sport has to offer".