Scott Brash and Ben Maher Among World’s Top 10 Confirmed for Rolex IJRC Final in Geneva
Britain’s Scott Brash will defend his Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final title in Geneva this December, with fellow Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher also confirmed among an elite field competing for a €170,000 first prize.
Ten of the world’s leading showjumpers have been confirmed for the 25th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, taking place at CHI Geneva on Friday 11 December 2026.
The prestigious competition brings together the highest-ranked eligible riders from the FEI Jumping World Ranking, with five former champions returning to contest one of the sport’s most sought-after individual titles.
Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Ben Maher will face formidable opposition, including current World No.1 Richard Vogel, American star Kent Farrington and Switzerland’s three-time winner Steve Guerdat.
Scott Brash Targets Back-to-Back Geneva Victories
Brash returns to Geneva as defending champion, looking to secure consecutive victories and become a three-time winner of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final.
The British rider has established himself among the most successful competitors in international showjumping, with a career that includes Olympic team gold and the historic achievement of becoming the first rider to complete the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2015.
A third Top 10 Final victory would place him alongside Steve Guerdat as one of the competition’s most successful riders.
Fellow Briton Ben Maher, who claimed the title in 2021, will also be looking to add another Geneva victory to his record.
Maher arrives following another successful international season, which included his first Rolex Grand Slam Major victory at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in Canada.
With both British riders already having experienced success in this distinctive competition, they will be among the leading contenders when the opening round gets underway.
Steve Guerdat Chases Historic Fourth Title
Home favourite Steve Guerdat has an opportunity to make history by becoming the first rider to win the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final four times.
The Swiss rider previously lifted the trophy in 2010, 2018 and 2023 and will once again have the support of the Geneva crowd.
American Kent Farrington is another rider with an impressive record in the competition. Having won in 2015 and 2019, he finished runner-up in 2025 and will be aiming to go one better this year.
Germany’s Richard Vogel, currently ranked World No.1, is seeking his first victory in the Final, while compatriot Daniel Deusser, the 2013 champion, returns following a season that included team gold for Germany at the FEI Jumping World Championship in Aachen.
Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, American McLain Ward and Israel’s Daniel Bluman complete an experienced international line-up alongside France’s Nina Mallevaey.
Nina Mallevaey Makes History for Women’s Showjumping
Mallevaey’s inclusion is particularly significant. Following her rise into the world’s top ten during 2026, the French rider will become the first woman to contest the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final since Pénélope Leprévost in 2016.
Only two women have previously won the competition.
Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum claimed victory with the celebrated Shutterfly in 2004 and 2006, while Ireland’s Jessica Kürten won aboard Castle Forbes Libertina in 2007.
Mallevaey now has the opportunity to join that select group and become the first female winner in almost two decades.
Confirmed Riders for the 2026 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final
The ten confirmed riders, listed in FEI Jumping World Ranking order, are:
- Richard Vogel (Germany)
- Kent Farrington (USA)
- Shane Sweetnam (Ireland)
- Steve Guerdat (Switzerland)
- McLain Ward (USA)
- Scott Brash (Great Britain)
- Ben Maher (Great Britain)
- Nina Mallevaey (France)
- Daniel Deusser (Germany)
- Daniel Bluman (Israel)
How Does the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final Work?
Unlike traditional Grand Prix competitions, the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final is contested over two rounds on different courses, with penalties from the opening round carried forward into the second.
The final classification is determined by the combined penalties from both rounds, with the second-round time used to separate riders who finish on equal penalties.
The opening round starts in reverse order of the November FEI Jumping World Ranking, adding another competitive element to the evening.
The riders’ parade is scheduled for 19:45 local time on Friday 11 December, with the first round beginning at 20:15.
The total prize fund stands at €530,000, with €170,000 awarded to the winner.
A Special Anniversary for CHI Geneva
The 2026 competition marks two important milestones, with the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final celebrating its 25th anniversary while CHI Geneva commemorates its centenary.
A programme of anniversary activities is planned, including the return of the Champions Parade, recognising the riders and horses that have contributed to the competition’s history.
Eleonora Ottaviani, director of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), reflected on the enduring appeal of the format, which has remained unchanged since the inaugural edition.
“What strikes me is that this contest, conceived twenty-five years ago with a pioneering and, more than anything, TV-friendly format, remains up to date today,” she said.
“This is proved by the riders’ enthusiasm and the care with which they choose their horses.”
For British supporters, attention will be firmly on Brash and Maher as they attempt to add another major international title to their records. With five previous winners in the field, a world number one chasing his first victory and the possibility of a historic fourth title for Guerdat, Geneva is set for a fiercely competitive anniversary Final.