Basel, Switzerland – January 07, 2026 – A top-class field of participants is expected at the 15th edition of the Longines CHI Classics Basel CSI 5*-W from January 8th to 11th, 2026. Following the entry deadline, it is confirmed that many of the world’s best riders will be traveling to Basel this week.
With a total prize purse of one million Swiss francs, the Longines CHI Classics Basel CSI 5*-W is among the premier events in international indoor equestrian sport. Despite strong competition – in addition to the traditional 13 weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, USA, the Al Shaqab Tour in Doha is also taking place for the first time almost simultaneously – around 75 top-ranked riders and over 200 horses are expected in Basel. “We have succeeded in assembling a very attractive field of participants. We can look forward to seeing the big names of the world’s elite,” says CHI President Thomas Straumann.
Ben Maher, the British Olympic champion from Tokyo 2021 and currently ranked number 4 in the world, comes to Basel. He will face the 2025 World Cup Final winner, #9 Julien Epaillard (FRA), the overall World Cup winner of the Jumping Longines Ranking, #5 Gilles Thomas (BEL) , and the current European Champion, #6 Richard Vogel (GER). The home crowd can especially look forward to the strong Swiss riders. These include Martin Fuchs (SUI), the winner of the 2025 Aachen Grand Prix; Steve Guerdat (SUI), the London 2012 Olympic champion, who returns to the saddle at the CHI de Genève in mid-December after his second back surgery; Alain Jufer (SUI), currently the highest-ranked Swiss rider in the World Cup qualifiers; local favorite Géraldine Straumann (SUI), who caused a sensation with a strong sixth-place finish in the Grand Prix of the LonginesCSIO in St. Gallen; and Swiss Champion Eva Gautschi (SUI). As well as up-and-coming talent Noah Keller (3rd place at the Elite Swiss Championships).
In the U25 category, ten Swiss riders will face tough competition from Germany, France, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Sweden and Croatia.
Queen of Dressage at the start in Basel
Basel can also look forward to the participation of Isabell Werth (GER), seven-time Olympic champion and multiple World and European champion. With over 30 gold medals at international championships, she is considered the “Queen of Dressage.” Werth will be competing against her compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who, after retiring her horse TSF Dalera BB, will now ride Diallo BB. Von Bredow-Werndl won the World Cup Freestyle in Stuttgart in November. Another German legend, Ingrid Klimke, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist, will also be competing in Basel. The three Swiss dressage riders are Jessica Neuhauser with Rockson, Delia Eggenberger with Fairtrade, and Charlotta Rogerson with Bonheur de la Vie. All three participated in the European Championships in Crozet this summer, finishing 11th in the team competition.
Tickets for World-Class Sport Including a Magic Show
The Longines CHI Classics Basel are known for offering not only the world’s best riders but also a spectacular show. In January, the Swiss illusionist Peter Marvey will amaze the audience with his program ‘Magician without limits’. His signature act, ‘The Flying Carriage’, is a masterpiece of magic.
Further information:
All competitions at the Longines CHI Classics Basel will be broadcast live by ClipMyHorse. The Longines Grand Prix on Friday evening will be shown live on TV25, and the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ competition on Sunday will be shown by SRF.
Tickets are available here: https://www.chi-classics-basel.com/zuschauer/ticketing/
Source: Press Release from Longines CHI Classics – Basel
Photo: © Longines CHI Classics Basel / Katja Stuppia Fotografie
