SWITZERLAND WINS THE NATIONS CUP IN ST.GALLEN!

What a day! Finally! After 26 years, Switzerland wins a Nations Cup in St. Gallen again. In the great line-up of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei (with double zero), Edouard Schmitz with Quno, Pius Schwizer with Vancouver de Lanlore and Steve Guerdat with Venard de Cerisy as well as Equipenchef Michel Sorg they prevailed over the Netherlands and Great Britain in the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Switzerland.

QUOTES:

"Whenever I was on the team in St Gallen we never won, but we said this year now we have to win, and finally we did it!"

Martin Fuchs (Team SUI)

“We were confident because Edoaurd’s horse jumped really well and Pius’ horse too, and we changed his plan for the second round to put an extra stride in the last line. And Steve had one rail at the last fence so we all thought he would deliver in the second round, but in the end he didn’t need to go”, he explained.

Lachat’s course certainly played its part, the line from fences six to eight proving particularly influential.

“After the water jump (fence 6) there was the plank and then a short five strides to a liverpool oxer - you needed good rideability and a careful horse, and you needed scope for the oxer, so this kind of asked everything of the horse and rider”, he pointed out.

“We knew we had a strong team as we were already good in the Grand Prix. I think the crowd knew that as well and they really cheered for us this afternoon. This is an amazing feeling, I felt my horse was super today and I’m happy we could contribute to this home win!”, Fuchs added, while Schmitz said “I will never forget this day!”

Guerdat was quietly happy with the result too. “I’m now a little older so my fault at the last fence in the first round bothered me a little less than it used to! In the Nations Cup at the end it is the team result that counts and it worked out today. It has been a great show, with great public, perfect organisation and very nice courses from Gerard. We will have nice memories from this weekend for sure!”, he said.

And Swiss Chef d’Equipe Michel Sorg had plenty to be happy about too. “Edouard was already good in the Grand Prix at La Baule a few weeks ago and again here on Saturday - I am really happy that he confirmed that here today and I’m really proud of all my team!”, he said.

Results

IMAGE: Edouard Schmitz - Quno/Photo Copyright © CSIO.CH / Katja Stuppia