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International Jumping Riders Club
IJRC Top 10 Final: and the winner is...
Martin Fuchs aboard Leone Jei, the same horse that brought him to victory in the prestigious Geneve Rolex GP three years ago, topped the podium of a thrilling Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final.
Alongside the Swiss star were Us Kent Farrington on Toulayna and Briton Ben Maher on Point Break, who finished second and third, respectively.
2024 Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final, after Guerdat's victory last year, Martin Fuchs – five times in the competition but never better placed than fifth - doubles the Swiss supremacy and gets the honour of the Palexpo arena as the new champion of this exciting competition.
It was a superb competition. Following a shining opening parade, enhanced by lighting effects, the 23rd Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final was contested in a two-run class and opened by a lovely and smooth clear round achieved right by Martin.
After the mistake at the last fence for the second pair in the field, Mclain Ward with Ilex, the second clear came from the Olympic gold medallist in Paris 2024, Christian Kukuk on Just Be Gentle.
Kukuk's masterpiece was followed by the unespected defaillance by Richard Vogel aboard United Touch S and Max Kühner on Eic Cooley Jump The Q. Vogel had two fences down, while Kühner totalized four faults.
Then it was Julienne Epaillard and Donatello d'Auge’s turn. The French pair took the provisional lead but only until the end of the course from the very fast Kent Farrington, who showed his innate talent for speed on Toulayna.
Ben Maher and Point Break also had a clear but in more cautious round, while home favourite Steve Guerdat failed his goal this time. With three wins to his name in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final, this year, aboard Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte, he was punished by the very last jump of the course.
Definitely last but not least, the best course of the first round designed by Gerard Lechat was scored by the last rider in the field, the undisputed king of the world ranking Henrik von Eckermann, who, riding the magnificent King Edward, achieved the fastest clear round, apparently in total souplesse.
Manche two
On the back of six clears, thrill framed the second course of the competition, with a pretty unpredictable podium.
With the field starting in reverse order, the first to take to the scene in the second round was Richard Vogel, who this time steered United Touch S to a beautiful, faultless run.
A slightly rough turn at the penultimate fence costed Guerdat a mistake as he tried to chase the stopwatch and despite being very fast, 51.11 his time, he finished on 8 faults.
Mission accomplished for Mclain Ward with Ilex. A clean run for the pair who finished their second round in 50.36.
First clear round in the first round, with the British pair Ben Maher and Point Break, the competition put into high gear. The pair's course was very fast - 48.59 - and, above all, faultless.
After setting the time to beat, it was Christian Kukuk's turn, but he was betrayed by a slight uncertainty on the second element of the combination, an oxer towards the exit, and took four faults. A necessary, but always bitter risk.
For those still waiting to enjoy the excitement of this competition, one of the highlights was the frenzied run of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei. Breathtaking turns, a competitive spirit pushed to the limit and the magic took shape to the delight of the Swiss crowd.
The attempts of Kent Farrington and Henrik von Eckermann, both very fast, were in vain.
Photos @ IJRC/F.Petroni