World No. 1 Richard Vogel, defending champion Scott Brash and three-time record holder Steve Guerdat are the headliners among the 10 riders confirmed for the historic 25th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final on Friday, December 11, at CHI Geneva.
Five former winners belong to a strong field of participants, which consists of the best-placed eligible riders on the FEI World Ranking list. This sets the stage for a competition that could rewrite history in Geneva – or add a new name to one of the most exclusive ranks in show jumping.
Among Vogel’s strongest challengers is the American Kent Farrington, who wants to surpass his second place from 2025 and win his third title at the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final after victories in 2015 and 2019. Meanwhile, the Swiss Steve Guerdat is supported by the home crowd as he seeks his unprecedented fourth victory after having won the title in 2010, 2018 and 2023. Also returning is the defending champion Scott Brash, who has secured his second consecutive victory and his third title, while the world number 1, Vogel, hopes to add his name to the illustrious list of winners of the competition for the first time.
World No. 1 Richard Vogel, British rider Scott Brash and three-time record holder Steve Guerdat are the headliners among the 10 riders confirmed for the historic 25th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final on Friday, December 11, at CHI Geneva.
The Brit Ben Maher won the competition in 2021 and is now returning to Geneva to aim for his second title at the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, after achieving a series of outstanding results throughout the season, including winning his first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major at the CSIO Spruce Meadows „Masters“ tournament. The German Daniel Deusser, winner of 2013, completes the impressive line-up of former champions after recently contributing to the German team gold medal at the FEI Equestrian World Championships in Aachen.
The field is further strengthened by the Irish Shane Sweetnam, the American McLain Ward and the Israeli Daniel Bluman, all of whom have achieved remarkable successes on the international stage this season and have thus consolidated their position at the top of the FEI Jumping World Rankings.
The Frenchwoman Nina Mallevaey represents the new generation in the field of participants, having made a remarkable ascent to the top 10 in the world in 2026. She will be the first woman to compete in the final since her compatriot Pénélope Leprévost in 2016.
So far, only two women have won the trophy: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who won with the legendary Shutterfly in 2004 and 2006, and the Irish Jessica Kürten, who won with Castle Forbes Libertina in 2007.
PARTNERS OF THE ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 ROUND 2026
Listed in the order of the FEI Jumping World Rankings:
- Richard Vogel (GER)
- Kent Farrington (USA)
- Shane Sweetnam (IRL)
- Steve Guerdat (SUI)
- McLain Ward (USA)
- Scott Brash (GBR)
- Ben Maher (GBR)
- Nina Mallevaey (FRA)
- Daniel Deusser (GER)
- Daniel Bluman (ISR)
EVERYTHING IS READY FOR GENF
Now that an exceptional field of participants has been confirmed, attention turns to CHI Geneva, where the traditional equestrian parade takes place at 19:45, followed by the opening round of the Rolex IJRC Top-10 Final at 20:15. The world’s leading riders compete against each other in two rounds on different courses, with the points from the first round being carried over to the second round. The final ranking is determined by the sum of the points from both rounds, with time in the second round being decisive in the event of a tie.
The qualification is based on the FEI World Equestrian Ranking, with the riders competing in the opening round
entering the arena in the reverse order of the FEI Jumping World Rankings from November.
The competition format is the same as in the first edition, explains Eleonora Ottaviani, director of the IJRC.
„What impresses me is that this competition, which was conceived 25 years ago with a pioneering and especially television-friendly format, is still relevant today. This is shown by the enthusiasm of the riders and the meticulousness with which they select their horses.“
In 2026, this event will take on special significance as the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final celebrates its 25th anniversary at CHI Geneva, which will mark its centenary in 2026. A series of commemorative events, including the return of the Champions Parade, will honor the remarkable legacy of the competition.
With a total prize money of 530,000 euros, including 170,000 euros for the winner, a lot is at stake. Whether a former champion adds another victory to his record of success or a new name is added to the list of honors – the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final 2026 promises to be a highlight of an extraordinary sports week at CHI Geneva.