Pedro Veniss wins Rolex Grand Prix while Scott Brash finishes third

Scott Brash just missed out on winning another leg of the Rolex Grand Slam in Sunday’s CHI Geneva Rolex Grand Prix.

Last to go in the jump-off, Scott produced a fast-flowing clear round to finish in third place – less than half a second slower than the winner, Brazil’s Pedro Veniss.

Out of 40 starters in the first round, 16 made it through to the jump-off, including many of the world’s best riders.

But the time of 38.96sec set by Veniss and the stallion Quabri de L’Isle just couldn’t be bettered. Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love came closest, but had to settle for second place behind the Brazilian.

“I am so happy, it is a dream come true to win the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva,” said Pedro. “Quabri jumped fantastically in the first round and so I thought, we can go for it in the jump-off. I really tried like never before and pushed to go fast, Quabri responded perfectly.”

Scott Brash was clearly going all out to win on Ursula XII. As the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in Spruce Meadows back in September, he once again became the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam – a €1m bonus for anyone who can win the three major Grands Prix in succession.

The next leg of the Grand Slam will be held at CHIO Aachen (14-23 July 2017).

There’s another chance to watch the Rolex Grand Prix on Thursday 15 December at 7.30pm, while the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final will be shown again on Wednesday 14 December at 9pm. Watch on Sky channel 253, or sign up now to be able to watch on H&C Play – the show will be on at the above times and then will be available on 10-day catch-up. 

Pedro Veniss and “Quabri de l’Isle”, winners of the “Rolex Grand Prix” at the CHI Geneva 2016 (picture: Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping/Kit Houghton).