19th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final

American rider Kent Farrington has won the 19° edition of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final. The event was held last night, Friday 13th December, in Geneva, during the Concours Hippique International de Genève 2019.

Riding his exceptional 11-year old holsteiner, Austria 2, Farrington ended his competition with a double clear, stopping the clock at an incredible 40.32 seconds in the second round. The winner of the Top 10 Final in 2015 on Voyeur, Farrington ends the year once again on top form, becoming two-time champion of this prestigious event -- invented by the IJRC in 2001 and reserved exclusively for the top ten show jumpers in the world.

A roster of extraordinary names emerging from an outstanding season of exceptional events rode into the scenographic Palaexpo arena to showcase their mastery of top level equestrian sport.

Among them were several former winners of previous editions of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten including: Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z in 2012, Daniel Deusser and Evita van de Veldbalie in 2013, and double-winner Steve Guerdat, in 2010 on Jalisca Solier and in 2018 on Alamo.

From its debut in 2001, edition after edition of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final has won a special place in the hearts of riders -- enabling them to provide the public with a thrilling experience that is utterly unique.

Press Conference quotes

Kent Farrington

‘A wonderful event; my compliments to the organisers. The course of the first round was very big and there were very few clear rounds. The second round course was, on the other hand, very fast.

I began riding Austria last April. Her owner has the stables next to mine and last year I asked Austria’s owner to let me ride her as a Xmas present. The present arrived a little late and last April she transferred to my stables.

I am lucky enough to be quite small in stature which gives me the advantage of being able to ride small horses, known for their agility and speed.’

Darragh Kenny

“This was my first Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final and I am extremely happy to have participated in this marvellous event alongside the best riders in the world. I am really happy with making it to second place. My horse jumped exceptionally well in both rounds.’

Christian Ahlmann

“Clintrexo Z jumped so well and easily in the first round that I was sure to be inside the optimum time. In the second round I was slightly faster. The way Clintrexo jumped has been special.”

Steve Guerdat

“I am really happy to have taken part once again in this special event. Today the best pair won and I am just happy to have been a participant. The fault in the second round was my own mistake; I had lost time on the first part of the course and I changed strategy to recoup but that led to the fault!’

Eleonora Ottaviani

“Listening to the riders' words at the press conference made me reflect on the fact that an organising committee's responsibility is to request feedback on every event and to see where it might be improved. But this evening watching horses and riders, I wondered how it would be possible to improve this incredible event!’

FINAL RESULTS OF THE 2019 ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL

1. Kent Farrington (USA) riding Austria 2
2. Darragh Kenny (IRE) riding Romeo 88
3. Christian Ahlmann (GER) riding Clintrexo Z
4. Daniel Deusser (GER) riding Killer Queen VDM
5. Steve Guerdat (SUI) riding Alamo
6. Martin Fuchs (SUI) riding Silver Shine
7. Ben Maher (GBR) riding F One USA
8. Pieter Devos (BEL) riding Espoir
9. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) riding Toveks Mary Lou
10. Peder Fredricson (SWE) riding H&M All In