48th International Show Jumping in Geneva

1926

The 1st Geneva International Horse Show was held at the newly built Palais des Expositions. 85 riders and 158 horses took part.

1927

The first Nations Cup (Prix des Etendards) was won by Switzerland.

1975

The Geneva International Horse Show moves to the Vernets Sports Centre.

1979

Keeping up with the times, the 25th Geneva International Horse Show enters a period of revival by immediately joining the World Cup Circuit. Great Britain's Nick Skelton, with Everest Lastic, is the first winner of the Genevan leg of the Volvo World Cup and the British team dominates in the Nations Cup.

1983

Like the first, the last Nations Cup to take place in Geneva is won by the Swiss team made up of Heidi Robbiani (Jessica V), Bruno Candrian (Van Gogh), Thomas Fuchs (Willora Swiss) and Walter Gabathuler (Typhoon). The winner of the World Cup GP is Granziano Mancinelli (I) with Gitan P.

1985

From 1985, interest is concentrated on the World Cup. Geneva becomes an international show jumping event, which eliminates the complications of organizing a Nations Cup. The German Franke Sloothaak and Wakrant win the World Cup GP, beating Frédéric Cottier (F) on Flambeau C and Willi Melliger (CH) on Van Gogh.

1987

The competition takes on a new title, becoming the CSI-W, for World Cup. Mr Michel d'Arcis becomes chairman of the Organizing Committee. In the World Cup GP, victory goes to Paul Schockemöhle (FRG) on Next Orchidee, beating Victor Texeira (BRA) on Larramy and the Australian Vicky Roycroft on Apache.

1989

The 30th Geneva International Horse Show takes place for the last time at the Vernets Sports Centre, with Mr Claude Stoffel presiding over the Organizing Committee. John Whitaker sails through the World Cup GP on Milton, beating Hendrick Snoek (FRG) on Anatol and the Spaniard Juan Diego Garcia Trevjano on Tirol.

1991

The 31st CSI-W is held for the first time at Palexpo, which has the world's largest indoor arena. A new Organizing Committee, presided over by Pierre E. Genecand, gives impetus to the event.  Philippe Rozier (FRG) and Waïti Oscar win the World Cup Grand Prix, beating Markus Fuchs (2nd) and Elmar Gundel (3rd).

1992

The scene is now set for the annual equestrian event and Geneva's CSI-W has found its cruising speed. Palexpo's infrastructure procides the possibility of housing under one roof the arena, restaurants, exhibitors' village, paddock, stables and parking for the vans. Las minute guests, the Belgian Philippe Lejeune and Shogun win the World Cup GP, beating Stefan Lauber/Lugana II and Lesley McNaught-Mändli/Revanche.

1993

The popularity of Geneva's CSI-W is evident, with an attendance of 23,000 people at Palexo. The young and talented Brazilian, Rodrigo Pessoa, riding Loro Piana Special Envoy, is the winner of the Volvo World Cup GP, with Stefan Lauber/Lugana II and Franke Sloothak/SP Weihaiwej taking second and third places.

1994

The Geneva CSI-W is awarded 2nd place, behind Dortmund (GER), in the ranking of indoor competitions. The event's popularity is confirmed with attendance figures at Palexpo rising to 26,500. Holder of the Geneva organizers' Wild Card, Great Britain's James Fisher on Bowriver Queen wins the Volvo World Cup GP, beating Beat Mändli (SUI) and Michel Robert (FRA).

1996

In April, for the first time on Swiss soil, Geneva organizes the Final of the 18th Volvo World Cup.  More than 51,000 spectators attend the event. Hugo Simon, on E.T. wins this 18th final after a classic jump-off against Willi Melliger and his superb Calvaro V. After the Atlanta Olympics, the international show jumpers vote Geneva the world's No 1 indoor event. In December, the Geneva competition is once again on the World Cup circuit's agenda. In a revolving contest, with the two April finalists battling against each other, Willi Melliger takes his revenge on Austria's Hugo Simon and wins the competition.  The World Cup GP is won by Germany's Lars Niebgerg/For Pleasure, beating the French rider Alexandra Ledermann/Rochet M and his own compatriot Franke Sloothaaks/SP Corrado. In the midst of this, the organizers are invited to organize a heat of the 1997 Dressage World Cup. A first!

1997

For the first time, Geneva is offering both World Cup-level show jumping and dressage. And the public are there to applaud the triumphant horsewomen. In jumping, the American Katie Monahan-Prudent/Belladonna wins the contest, beating Maria Gretzer/Feliciano and Urs Fäh/Jeremia, while the Kür World Cup for dressage is won by the talented German Isabell Werth/Nobilis Amaretto, beating her perpetual rival, Holland's Anky van Grusven on Gestion Bonfire and Denmark's Anne Van Olst/Dempsey.

1998

Geneva is on a roll and continues to offer both jumping and dressage at World Cup-level. Germany's Isabell Werth/Antony FRH again wins the Kür World Cup while in jumping, Ireland's Trevor Coyle/Cruising carries off the World Cup Grand Prix beating François Mathy Jr/Fior and Jean-Marc Nicolas/Vondeen at the end of a breathtaking jump-off.

1999

With the introduction of the new World Cup regulations, only 18 riders can qualify for the show jumping World Cup Grand Prix. Germany's Ludger Beerbaum wins the contest with Champion du Lys, beating Malin Baryard/Cormint and Thomas Velin/Carnute. In dressage, Germany's Ulla Salzgeber/Rusty gets the better of Isabell Werth/Antony and Coby van Baalen/Olympic Ferro in the Kür World Cup.

2000

Of the 18 riders participating in the CCF Private Banking World Cup Grand Prix, it is Rodrigo Pessoa and Lianos who play their game the best. They win the contest, beating Ludo Philippaerts/Otterongo vd Kopshoeve and Peter Charles/Carnavelley. In dressage, Germany's Ulla Salzgeber has practically no serious competition. She wins the Rolex Kür Grand Prix with Rusty, beating Gonnelien Rothenberger/Leonardo Da Vince and Ann-Kathrin Kroth/Red Liner.

2001

A world first, Rolex and Gandini present the Top Ten Final. Bringing together the best riders on the planet, the event lives up to expectations. The show is spectacular and the audience gives Germany's Ludger Beerbaum/Goldfever III a standing ovation as he gets the better of Belgium's Ludo Philippaerts/Verelst Otterongo Kopshoe and Franke Sloothaak/Gio Granno. The CCF Private Banking Grand Prix World Cup event is won by the Swede Malin Baryard/H&M Butterfly Flip. Finally, the Rolex Classic, that took place on the Sunday afternoon, was won by Great Britain's Michael Whitaker/Handel II.

2002

The Top Ten Final presented by Rolex and Gandini, bringing together the world's ten best riders, takes place for the second year running in Geneva. And once again it is Ludger Beerbaum riding Gladdys S who wins the competition. The Rolex World Cup Grand Prix is won by Rodrigo Pessoa on Baloubet du Rouet. For the first time in Switzerland, the driving World Cup comes to Geneva. To everybody's surprise, it is Switzerland's Daniel Würgler who claims victory in the Swiss heat of this new indoor driving event..

2003

The Top Ten Final takes place for the third consecutive year in Geneva, uniting the ten best riders in the world. After winning the first two years, Ludger Beerbaum (4th place) surrenders the top step of the podium to Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa with his stallion Baloubet du Rouet. The winner of the Rolex Grand Prix, a World Cup event, is Denmark's Thomas Velin, a regular on the indoor circuit, riding Equest Carnute. Otto Becker/Dobel's Cento and Peter Wylde/Fein Cera, are runners-up. From now on the CSI-W de Genève is managed by Mrs Sophie Mottu.  

2004

The 4th Top Ten Final to be held in Geneva, is won by a horsewoman. Germany's Meredith Michaels Beerbaum outclasses all her male competitors and wins the Top Ten Final with Shutterfly, beating Rodrigo Pessoa and Marcus Ehning. The Brazilian takes his revenge the next day by winning the Rolex FEI World Cup Grand Prix on Baloubet du Rouet. The HSBC Guyerzeller Grand Prix is won by Switzerland's Steve Guerdat on Campus.

2005

For the second time, Rodrigo Pessoa wins the Top Ten Final with his faithful mount, Baloubet du Rouet. Together they beat Marcus Ehning/Gitania and the Swiss Markus Fuchs/Granie. In the Rolex FEI World Cup Grand Prix, Austria's Thomas Frühmann on The Sixth Sense surprises everyone by beating the American Peter Wylde and Switzerland's Beat Mändli. The winner had already made a serious choice in the HSBC Guyerzeller GP, qualifying event for the FEI World Cup, by finishing second, just behind Great Britain's Robert Smith and Kalusha.