The atmosphere was electric as top riders battled the CSI5*-W 1,60m Trophee de Genève out over a challenging jump-off. In the end, it was Switzerland’s own Martin Fuchs who reigned supreme, delivering a masterful performance aboard Conner Jei. Martin Fuchs was overjoyed with his victory. He followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who won this prestigious competition with Dollar Girl in 1991 and Interpane Goldlights in 1994. "When I inspected the course I knew I wanted to do my best in the jump-off and take one less stride on the last line. I thought that could make all the difference. Connor is in very good form and I gave it my best shot. I really wanted to win. I love this show, the crowd, the arena and the course, which suits my horses very well. I'm always very motivated here", he said after the competition.
Results
- Martin Fuchs (SUI) - Conner Jei - 33.66s
- Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) - Denver de Talma - 34.33s
- Daniel Deusser (GER) - Killer Queen VDM - 35.35s
- Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) - Toveks Azaria Dinero - 35.49s
- Harrie Smolders (NED) - Monaco - 36.46s
After the first two clear rounds set the pace, it took some time before the next participants secured their spots in the jump-off. Eventually, a total of nineteen combinations advanced to the final round.
Winner of the opening class, Barbara Schnieper (SUI), was the first to enter the ring, riding in front of her home crowd. However, at the third fence, an oxer, a rail hit the ground. Despite this, Schnieper and Canice (Cascadello) completed their round without further penalties, stopping the clock at 37.48 seconds.
Next up was Stephan De Freitas Barcha (BRA), who delivered the first clear round aboard Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio (Calvaro F.C.), finishing in 40.95 seconds. After Karl Cook (USA) and Caracole de La Roque (Zandor) followed with four faults, it was Gregory Wathelet’s (BEL) turn. Riding the stallion Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly), Wathelet unfortunately had one rail down.
The next to try his luck was Marcus ‘the GOAT’ Ehning (GER) with Coolio 42 (Casalito). The German rider delivered the second clear round and took the lead with a time of 37.39 seconds. The Italians continued their strong performances this season, as Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) showed his determination for victory. Riding Denver de Talma (Vigo Cece), he snatched the lead with an impressive time of 34.33 seconds.
Hometown rider Alain Jufer (SUI) and Dante Mm (Diarado) entered the ring as the eighth combination. Cheered on by the local crowd, they finished clear in 38.05 seconds. Following Jufer, the world number one, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), made his entrance. Partnered with Toveks Azaria Dinero (Mylord Carthago), he rode a fast and daring round. A light tap on the final Rolex oxer stayed in place, keeping his round faultless with a time of 35.49 seconds.
The second half of the jump-off was opened by Harrie Smolders (NED), who relied on his experienced 15-year-old gelding Monaco (Cassini II). Following von Eckermann’s sharp turns, Smolders completed a flawless round in 36.46 seconds.
A thunderous applause welcomed Steve Guerdat (SUI) into the ring. Riding Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly), the Swiss champion showed his speed and skill. Though luck was on his side with a rolling rail that stayed up, the pair faltered in the double combination heading into the final line. Their time of 34.13 seconds still proved they could have been serious contenders.
Pieter Devos (BEL), the 2019 European Team Champion, followed with his homebred mare Casual DV Z (Cornet Obolensky). The 9-year-old Zangersheide mare demonstrated her quality, staying clear and finishing in 37.01 seconds, earning Devos a solid place on the leaderboard.
Returning to international competition after a break, Simon Delestre (FRA) and Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead) suffered four penalties at the final oxer.
With the crowd on edge, Martin Fuchs (SUI) and his reliable partner Conner Jei (Connor 48) entered the ring. The 13-year-old gelding effortlessly cleared the fences, matching Fuchs’s every move. Their daring round resulted in a time of 33.66 seconds, taking the lead with four combinations left.
The leaderboard remained volatile as big names like Daniel Coyle, Ben Maher, Gilles Thomas, and Daniel Deusser prepared for their turns. Coyle and Incredible (Clinton) went all out but took a risky inside line to the double, resulting in a knocked rail. Despite this, their time of 33.33 seconds was the fastest of the day.
World number three, Ben Maher (GBR), riding Dallas Vegas Batilly, struggled to keep the rails up, finishing with eight penalties. Next, Gilles Thomas (BEL) and his talented mare Luna van het Dennehof (Prince van de Wolfsakker), a product of his uncle and trainer Marc van Dijck, delivered a polished and faultless round. Their time of 36.82 seconds secured them a well-deserved spot among the top finishers.
Finally, Daniel Deusser (GER) and Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek) had a chance to spoil the Swiss victory. However, Deusser opted for a more cautious round, finishing clear in 35.35 seconds, which was enough for a podium finish but not the win.
Results
- Martin Fuchs (SUI) - Conner Jei - 33.66s
- Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) - Denver de Talma - 34.33s
- Daniel Deusser (GER) - Killer Queen VDM - 35.35s
- Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) - Toveks Azaria Dinero - 35.49s
- Harrie Smolders (NED) - Monaco - 36.46s
After the first two clear rounds set the pace, it took some time before the next participants secured their spots in the jump-off. Eventually, a total of nineteen combinations advanced to the final round.
Winner of the opening class, Barbara Schnieper (SUI), was the first to enter the ring, riding in front of her home crowd. However, at the third fence, an oxer, a rail hit the ground. Despite this, Schnieper and Canice (Cascadello) completed their round without further penalties, stopping the clock at 37.48 seconds.
Next up was Stephan De Freitas Barcha (BRA), who delivered the first clear round aboard Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio (Calvaro F.C.), finishing in 40.95 seconds. After Karl Cook (USA) and Caracole de La Roque (Zandor) followed with four faults, it was Gregory Wathelet’s (BEL) turn. Riding the stallion Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly), Wathelet unfortunately had one rail down.
The next to try his luck was Marcus ‘the GOAT’ Ehning (GER) with Coolio 42 (Casalito). The German rider delivered the second clear round and took the lead with a time of 37.39 seconds. The Italians continued their strong performances this season, as Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) showed his determination for victory. Riding Denver de Talma (Vigo Cece), he snatched the lead with an impressive time of 34.33 seconds.
Hometown rider Alain Jufer (SUI) and Dante Mm (Diarado) entered the ring as the eighth combination. Cheered on by the local crowd, they finished clear in 38.05 seconds. Following Jufer, the world number one, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), made his entrance. Partnered with Toveks Azaria Dinero (Mylord Carthago), he rode a fast and daring round. A light tap on the final Rolex oxer stayed in place, keeping his round faultless with a time of 35.49 seconds.
The second half of the jump-off was opened by Harrie Smolders (NED), who relied on his experienced 15-year-old gelding Monaco (Cassini II). Following von Eckermann’s sharp turns, Smolders completed a flawless round in 36.46 seconds.
A thunderous applause welcomed Steve Guerdat (SUI) into the ring. Riding Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly), the Swiss champion showed his speed and skill. Though luck was on his side with a rolling rail that stayed up, the pair faltered in the double combination heading into the final line. Their time of 34.13 seconds still proved they could have been serious contenders.
Pieter Devos (BEL), the 2019 European Team Champion, followed with his homebred mare Casual DV Z (Cornet Obolensky). The 9-year-old Zangersheide mare demonstrated her quality, staying clear and finishing in 37.01 seconds, earning Devos a solid place on the leaderboard.
Returning to international competition after a break, Simon Delestre (FRA) and Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead) suffered four penalties at the final oxer.
With the crowd on edge, Martin Fuchs (SUI) and his reliable partner Conner Jei (Connor 48) entered the ring. The 13-year-old gelding effortlessly cleared the fences, matching Fuchs’s every move. Their daring round resulted in a time of 33.66 seconds, taking the lead with four combinations left.
The leaderboard remained volatile as big names like Daniel Coyle, Ben Maher, Gilles Thomas, and Daniel Deusser prepared for their turns. Coyle and Incredible (Clinton) went all out but took a risky inside line to the double, resulting in a knocked rail. Despite this, their time of 33.33 seconds was the fastest of the day.
World number three, Ben Maher (GBR), riding Dallas Vegas Batilly, struggled to keep the rails up, finishing with eight penalties. Next, Gilles Thomas (BEL) and his talented mare Luna van het Dennehof (Prince van de Wolfsakker), a product of his uncle and trainer Marc van Dijck, delivered a polished and faultless round. Their time of 36.82 seconds secured them a well-deserved spot among the top finishers.
Finally, Daniel Deusser (GER) and Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek) had a chance to spoil the Swiss victory. However, Deusser opted for a more cautious round, finishing clear in 35.35 seconds, which was enough for a podium finish but not the win.