Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final 2025 goes to Scott Brash

In a thrilling competition, tonight Scott Brash (GBR) scored victory on Hello Chadora Lady in the most awaited Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final at the Palexpo arena in Geneva.

Displaying his signature ice-cool demeanour, Scott Brash scored victory with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s Hello Chadora Lady in the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Top 10 Final in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final was unveiled in 2001, bringing together the top 10 riders of the world to recognise the achievements of the 10 finest showjumpers of the world.  The traditional two round competition format is contended over two different 1.60m courses, and in a tense showdown, it came down to only two riders – the World’s top two – who provided flawless rounds to make the clock count every tenth of a second, World Number 2 Scott pitted against World Number 1, The USA’s Kent Farrington – both previous winners of this title.

Kent – winner in 2015 (Voyeur) and 2019 (Austria 2) is a formidable opponent against the clock and was out for his third win on Toulayna and looked to be on target to achieve his aim with the fastest clear round in round one.  And, with the riders drawn in reverse order of merit in round two, Kent had bagged the favoured final draw.

Nevertheless, only the time in round two counted, and penultimate drawn Scott set the target with the first double clear.  It was not without an anxious hold-your-breath moment, as on negotiating the rollback from the wall to a vertical, the feisty but athletic 12-year-old Chadora Lady (Chacco-Blue x Nintender) locked on to the double.  But Scott remained calm and steered her onto the correct route and, although they were a little deep, she did everything to clear the tall vertical and gallop onto the next. 

There was only Kent between Scott and victory.  Had Scott left the door open with the error on the rollback turn? 

Kent’s plan was to go smooth and rely on Toulayna’s natural quick pace, but caution and one extra stride to the final fence paid the price and victory slipped away.  It left Rolex testimonee Scott to take the crown by 0.16 seconds, marking his second win after taking the title in 2014 aboard Helo Sanctos.

The classy Chadora Lady expressed her nature over every fence, hitting top speeds and flicking her heels away with each jump.

“She’s a really energetic horse and so quick and eager.  The turn was my fault, but she was great, I’m delighted with her,” said Scott. 

Donald Whitaker made his debut at CHI Geneva a winning one with Millfield Colette.  Donald’s very first appearance at the Concours Hippique International De Geneve in the initial 1.60m Grand Prix qualifier will hold precious memories as he used his final draw to maximum effect to land victory in the Trophee De Geneve. 

"I'm a little overwhelmed by my emotions," said Donald, "but yes, it's incredible. I've dreamed of a victory like this for a long time, and to achieve it on my first day here is unbelievable, fantastic.”

Forty-nine came forward to face the challenging 13-fence, 16-effort 1.60m course designed by Gerard Lachat (SUI and Gregory Bodo (FRA), but only nine found the key to return for the jump-off, although seven left all the fences intact but collected time faults.  Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and Dourkhan Hero Z early effort still held the lead when Donald entered the ring.  As last to go, he gave it his all with the 12-year-old Cornet Obolensky x Clearway mare – bred in Britain by Sue Jaggar – and wiped an impressive 1.58 seconds off the leading time to take the win.

“When I walked the course, I found it very difficult, especially for a competition on the first day, to be honest,” added Donald.  “This is my first time in Geneva. I've always dreamed of coming here.  Of course, it's a very prestigious competition.  It's a Grand Slam tournament, so you know it's important and difficult, but when I arrived, I was a little shocked; I realised that I was really here with the best riders and horses in the world!

"In the jump-off," he continued, "there were only nine of us.  That meant we all had to give it our all! I was perhaps a little slow at the start, but then I had a very good turn towards the wall, and my mare just flew over it.  The start of the tournament couldn't have been better. My mare is incredible. Whenever it counts, she seems to be successful, and sometimes I don't know how she does it!”

Jess Mendoza notched up a winning double.  Jess topped Friday’s feature class of the day, the 5* 1.55m speed, with the 12-year-old Air Jordan Z x Indoctro mare In The Air tackling the 13-fence course – containing three doubles – with gusto to take a handsome 0.65 second win.

I-Cap CL Z came to the fore for Jess in an early, competitive 5* 1.40m speed, the I’m Special De Muze x Air Jordan 13-year-old outpacing their 86 rivals to edge into a win by 0.19 seconds.

Rachel Proudley jumped Guess Du Mont into third in the Under 25 Grand Prix.  Twelve of the original 31 starters returned initial clears to access the jump-off, Rachel guiding the nine-year-old Chellano Alpha Z daughter to a podium third place 1.33 seconds behind the winner, Ireland’s Tim Brennan on Diadema Della Cacia.

Find the results HERE