TRYON, NC, USA - The World Equestrian Games only take place every four years and thus form the highlight of the equestrian season. In 2018, the journey leads to the American southern states: Tryon in North Carolina was the venue for the Games, which were held from 11 to 23 September 2018, and as farrier I was once again in charge of the Swiss jumping team.
As a farrier with the Swiss team in Rio - simply fantastic! Team manager Andy Kistler on RIO 2016: We were close to the medal, even very close. Especially in the individual final, where Steve Guerdat with Nino des Buissonnets only narrowly missed out on the top three places. The two started as reigning Olympic champions and were so close to defending their title from London 2012. One step was missing to another historic sporting story. But Martin and Clooney were also close to a possible medal. They missed the jump-off because of a drop in the second round. This resulted in a great 9th place for the young couple. At this point I would like to thank our grooms, the veterinarian Thomas Wagner, the farrier Cyrill Zuber, the technical coach Thomas Fuchs, Hansueli Sprunger and our delegation leader Evelyne Niklaus.
No less than five equestrian disciplines competed for medals at the FEI European Championships, which were held at the Aachen Soers from 11 to 23 August 2015. The Swiss delegation returned home with three European Championship medals as well as a "won" quota place for the jumping team for the Olympic Games in Rio. In the show jumping, the Swiss team won the bronze medal after an impressive catch-up!
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games WEG, which took place from 23 August to 7 September 2014 in Caen (FRA), Normandy, are now history. The Swiss delegation returned home with three medals.