Geneva, 12 December 2023 – Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat produced the only double clear to claim a historic third victory in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in front of a jubilant home crowd, with Formula 1 World Champion driver and fellow Rolex Testimonee Sir Jackie Stewart on hand to present the trophy.

Taking place at the Concours Hippique International de Genève (the CHI Geneva), the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final is an innovative and globally renowned show jumping competition in which the 10 highest ranked riders in the world compete against each other over two rounds. The unique class has been supported by Rolex since its inception in 2001 and features the most consistent riders across the course of the year.

Guerdat, riding Venard de Cerisy, was competing in his 11th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. The reigning FEI European champion said of his performance: “I had an advantage that there were not so many clears in the first round, so I could watch a few and see what was possible in the jump-off. On the other hand, I was the first of the clears to come back, so I just had to go as fast as I could and everything went as planned. I think I left the door open slightly for someone else to go faster, so I was a little bit nervous watching the last two, but it worked out. I’m really happy with the performance, my horse jumped really well in both rounds and it was a very nice way to win this amazing class.”

The Swiss champion describes his 14-year-old horse as having a “great character and wonderful energy”. It is a partnership that has been developed over the course of seven years, with Venard de Cerisy being at Guerdat’s stables since the age of seven. Guerdat believes a strong relationship such as this one between horse and rider is pivotal to success. “Every horse is an individual. It’s very important to listen to your horse and not rush things to build the trust and understanding between you.”

Guerdat’s victory makes him the first rider to win this prestigious competition three times, having previously triumphed in 2010 and 2018, highlighting his consistency in remaining at the top of the sport for more than a decade. The Swiss rider, who is based near Zurich, is a former World No. 1 with many of the sport’s most coveted titles to his name. He was individual champion at the London 2012 Olympic Games aboard Nino des Buissonnets, is a three-time FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final winner, and earlier this year claimed an individual gold medal at the FEI European Championships.

In addition, Guerdat is the only rider to have competed at all 34 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors since the initiative began at the CHIO Aachen in 2013. To mark this achievement, spectators at the CHI Geneva were treated to a special ceremony, which also provided an opportunity to celebrate his FEI European Championship victory aboard Dynamix de Bélhème. Currently celebrating its 10-year-anniversary, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping rewards the rider who consecutively wins the Grand Prix at three of the four Majors, namely The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and the CHI Geneva. It is considered the sport’s ultimate challenge and most coveted prize, and to date has been won by only one athlete, Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash.

Guerdat is known for his empathy with horses as well as his patience and dedication as he strives for continuous excellence. In 2019, acknowledging his unfamiliarity with the courses at Spruce Meadows, and his desire to achieve success at the prestigious CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, he spent a summer at the venue, looking to improve his performance and that of his horses in the imposing International Ring. Two years later, Guerdat reigned supreme in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, at the show he had targeted, to claim his third Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major since the initiative was introduced in 2013.

His Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final victory was hugely popular among the Swiss fans at the Palexpo Arena, a venue he has been competing at since the age of 16. His achievements have already been immortalized in Guerdat’s hometown of Bassecourt, where a sculpture of him has been erected to celebrate his Olympic triumph. With this latest win, he continues to cement his status as one of the best athletes the sport has produced.