The International Jumping Riders Club has sadly had to announce the cancellation of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 final.
The Rolex IJRC Top 10 was scheduled to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year on December 11 at the Concours Hippique International de Genève, but following the health measures introduced in Switzerland against the pandemic earlier this week, the organizers have announced the cancellation of the 60th edition of the CHI Geneva 2020 Edition.
It was December 2001 when an event with a curious name and an unusual format, and only 10 riders in the starting line-up, appeared in the CHI program in Geneva for the first time. They were the best riders in the world: the event was a triumph.
Now the contest is regarded as one of the pinnacles in the International Show Jumping calendar, in which the world’s Top 10 horse-and-rider partnerships go head-to-head.
From its debut in 2001, edition after edition of the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final, has won a special place in the hearts of riders. This will be the first-ever cancellation since its inception in 2001.
‘The cancellation of an event of such importance is always the source of great regret,’ says IJRC Director, Eleonora Ottaviani. ‘Especially in light of the untiring work of the organizing committee, the past enthusiasm the event has created, and the disappointed hopes of all involved. But unfortunately, in a situation as complicated and serious as this pandemic, this is a painful, wise and indispensable decision. The main priority at the moment is health and respect for life.’
Ottaviani continues: ‘We will work to ensure that in 2021 the Geneva organizing committee, together with the IJRC for the Top 10, offers the public an extra special celebration for the 20th anniversary of the IJRC Rolex Top 10.’
‘It is with enormous sadness that we learn of the cancellation of CHI of Geneva and of the 20th edition of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 final,’ says IJRC President, Kevin Staut. ‘Our support goes to the organising committee, as well as to all the competitions and to all the riders that have found themselves in this situation this season, in the hope that we will experience a return to normal in 2021’.
The IJRC thanks everyone who has worked to make this event a success until this announcement.
Take good care of yourselves and we will see you all again in 2021 for an exceptional edition of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 20th anniversary.
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