BY CHI GENEVA PRESS SERVICE
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHI DE GENÈVE-SCOOPDYGA.COM
A century ago, a group of equestrian enthusiasts founded a horse show that would go on to become one of the world’s leading jumping events. One hundred years later, the Concours Hippique International (CHI) de Genève has lost none of its enterprising spirit
Just to prove the point and to celebrate this landmark anniversary, it is about to lay on an edition that will look as much to the event’s heritage as to the future.
From December 9 to 13, Palexpo will provide the setting for what promises to be a very special CHI Geneva, as it hosts five days of international competitions for the first time in the modern history of the event. There is more to the centenary, however, than just sport of the highest calibre. Since the start of the year, the CHI Geneva has been inviting the public to reacquaint itself with the memorable moments that have shaped its legend, through a series of videos entitled Le CHI, d'un siècle à l'autre (“The CHI: From One Century to Another”). Featuring archive images and interviews with leading figures who know the CHIG inside out, this trip down memory lane reveals how an event founded in 1926 has achieved global renown. In addition, an exhibition offering further insight will take place at Les Automnales on 6-15 November before decamping to Palexpo for the CHIG itself. Finally, on 8 October, the centenary film, shot at night on the streets of Geneva, will be released on the event’s various media channels.
Old favourites return
When Palexpo opens its doors for this special anniversary, the past will spring back to life, with several iconic competitions that have made their mark on generations of equestrian fans stepping back into the limelight. Spectators will thrill to the Six-Barres and the Bareback Challenge, two events that cast light on the development of jumping and the bold spirit that has driven the CHI Geneva since its inception. And then there’s Le Prix des Familles, which will celebrate the generation handover equestrianism is famed for, with parents passing their passion on to their children.
The centenary will also provide an opportunity to gauge just how far equestrianism has come. Inspired by the Challenge of Champions, the Challenge of the Century will bring together jumping’s various generations for a unique event that pitches the most decorated riders on the planet together with the best performers over the first three days of the CHIG 2026. After taking on classic 20th-century-style fences, the competitors will then be faced with a more modern course, the idea being to show, in the space of just a few strides, how much the sport has evolved over the years...
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