It’s glorious gold for Team Switzerland!
Switzerland claimed team gold at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 in Riesenbeck today pipping the hosts from Germany, while the defending champions from Belgium bagged the bronze in a cliff-hanger of a competition.
Out in front as today’s final round began, it seemed Swiss chances might be dashed when pathfinder Elian Baumann put 12 faults on the board with Campari Z because less than a fence separated them from the chasing Germans who put two consecutive zeros on the board.
But clears from Bryan Balsiger (AK’s Courage) and Martin Fuchs (Leone Jei) steadied the Swiss ship and when Germany’s Christian Kukuk (Mumbai) and David Will (C Vier) each picked up four faults it all came down to Steve Guerdat to save the Swiss day.
He could afford one fence down when last to go, and when the oxer at fence nine hit the grass he had no leeway left if he was to take the title for his country. But with typical grit he steered clear through the rest of the 13-fence course with the 10-year-old Albfuehren’s Maddox to bring the team title home to Switzerland for the fifth time in the history of these Championships.
Fuchs leads the way into Sunday’s individual final with Germany’s Andre Thieme (DSP Chakaria) lying second and Belgium’s Pieter Devos (Jade vd Bisschop) in third.