Andy Kistler is president of the CHI Basel. As the former head of the Swiss show jumping team, he first highlights Guerdat’s abilities. “Steve is one of the most impressive personalities in equestrian sport. He has a wonderful relationship with his sports partners, the horses. His ability to perform when it counts is what sets him apart. He is a leader and an extremely valuable team player.” He is very happy for Steve and his family, who are very important to him. “I am sure that we can look forward to many more successes from Steve.”
In 2025, Basel will not only host a World Cup qualifying tournament in January, but also the World Cup final in three disciplines at the beginning of April. “Steve has now really launched these events. He is one of the five athletes who have already won this World Cup final in show jumping three times. In Basel he can write another successful chapter in his incredible career,” says Kistler.
Already at the start at the age of 16
Alban Poudret, the sports director of CHI Geneva, emphasises: “Steve is connected to CHI Geneva and vice versa. He was with us as a 16-year-old, now he is a world-class equestrian star.” Guerdat is not just a friend at his home tournament, he is also writing sports history. “He is also clever and involved in sports politics.”
Poudret also doesn’t forget to mention Martin Fuchs. “At our event, we welcome around 25 percent of German-speaking Swiss. We currently have two excellent Swiss riders who fill the coffers,” he emphasises.
Olympia brings attention
Nayla Stössel, the president of the CSIO St. Gallen, states: “Just because our sport is an Olympic discipline, we benefit from additional attention every four years. And then we are lucky that our athletes have been among the medal hopes for years. The fact that we have now won a medal is of course the icing on the cake.”
With the League of Nations, St. Gallen welcomes the world’s best riders. “But of course it’s even more fun when the successful athletes come from your own country.” Equestrian sport in Versailles also showed how close drama and celebration can be. “We congratulate Steve and his team, but we are also thinking of Martin Fuchs, whose great performance was unfortunately not rewarded today.”
