The best showjumpers in the world are heading to Geneva this weekend to battle it out in the Rolex Grand Prix. Reigning champion Scott Brash will be there to defend his title, so Rolex caught up with him to talk about the tough challenge ahead – and last minute Christmas shopping.
Just one year ago you went down in history as the first rider ever to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Now, with your back-to-back victory at Spruce Meadows in September, you are once again the title contender. Why is the Rolex Grand Slam still such a strong attraction for you?
Scott: I think it has a strong hold on everyone because Aachen, Calgary and Geneva are the three Majors that every rider wants to win. Every rider wants to be part of the Rolex Grand Slam and have the opportunity to try to do what not many people have done in history.
This year you didn’t ride Hello Sanctos in Aachen and Calgary, but rode Ursula instead. Do you think Ursula also has the potential to claim the title?
Scott: To be honest, yes I do and it is because she is also an exceptional horse. She is unique and it is rare to have two unbelievable horses in your lifetime, but she is certainly one of them. She was very close at Aachen, coming second, but proved she has been good enough to be there or thereabouts so all eyes are on Geneva for her now.
Are you bringing Ursula to Geneva for the Rolex Grand Prix?
Scott: Yes, she will be coming to Geneva. We started organising her programme straight after Calgary with Geneva in mind. She started her campaign indoors in October to get into the indoor season and we have set her up as well as we could for Geneva.
What are the special challenges of the Major in Geneva as part of the Rolex Grand Slam?
Scott: In contrast to Aachen and Calgary and their huge grass arenas, Geneva is indoors for a start. But I think it is different to the other Majors in the sense that the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva is only one round instead of two, so you are nearly guaranteed a jump-off with the top horses and top riders. It is going to be a testing course with a fast jump-off. So technically, it is very different to Aachen or Calgary, but there is going to be fantastic sport and I am looking forward to it.
CHI Geneva is not only well-known for its great sport, but also for its exceptional atmosphere and the festive ambiance. Do the riders also get into the Christmas mood?
Brash: Geneva is such a wonderful show and they have some great stands where you can buy lots of Christmas gifts and I usually do my last-minute shopping in and around there. It would probably be early Christmas shopping for me! But I think having Christmas just around the corner lends the show a great ambiance and everyone is in a great frame of mind and that creates a nice atmosphere to ride in.
It would be the perfect Christmas present for you to finish the competition as the Major winner…
Scott: Well, the Rolex Grand Prix will be a tough competition again and extremely hard to win. But I will give it my best shot!
You can watch the Rolex Grand Prix from CHI Geneva on Sunday 11 December on Sky 253 or by subscribing to H&C Play.
