Steve Guerdat delves a little further into the legend of equestrianism

Another title, a personal title that was missing from his collection. Crowned Olympic champion with Nino des Buissonettes in London in 2012, and triple winner of the Longines World Cup Final, in Las Vegas in 2015 with Pelle de la Roque of Albfuren, again in 2016 with Corbinian in Gothenburg and in 2019 With Alamo, is Steve Guerdat. New European Show Jumping Champion. Not to mention his many team medals and victories at many of the best events on the planet, the Swiss have won almost everything that really matters, apart from the title of World Champion and the Rolex Grand Prix at the CSIO 5* in Aix. -The Chapel. Considering his age, forty-one, and his impressive ability, he could achieve this very quickly. It would be much better for him and for the sport he loves so much and to which he has always devoted himself, regardless of the cost. Like Roger Federer, almost in spite of himself, this passionate, sympathetic and humble man always becomes a role model.

If Steve Guerdat has risen to this stature, it is not only for his track record and his results, but perhaps above all for his perfectionism. For him, victory only means when he truly and without any gimmicks values ​​the qualities of his horses and the accuracy of his daily work. On Wednesday again, here in Milan, after the hunt for the European Championships, he did not hesitate to say that his ride was not at the level of his mare, the magnificent Selle Francais Dynamix de Belheim. “Best horse I’ve ever ridden”, particularly revealing his attitude to the double oxers at the end of the course. Today, he “finally” agreed to congratulate himself: “I have prepared very well for my Nations Cup as well as this individual final. Normally, when I ride the Dynamics, I practice my game while enjoying every moment of pure enjoyment. There, I have to admit that I focused more on what we needed to do to make it run as best as possible. As I felt she was a bit tired, I asked her to take as few jumps as possible in the enclosure, so that she can give her best on the track. I knew she would not let me down and I am very happy with the result of this championship.

Tough afternoon for Jens Fredriksson…

Twenty-four couples competed in the first round of the finals this afternoon, noting the withdrawal of Italians Emanuele Camilli and Odense Odeveld. The course from start-to-finish inspired course designer, Uliano Vezzani, created faults everywhere, especially in the double vertical placed in 6 just after the river, and the triple oxer-vertical-oxer built in 8 to keep us waiting until the fifteenth. It was lying The pair at the start, formed by Max Kühner and Electric Blue Pea, who were team bronze medalists with Austria on Friday, line up to watch the stands, modest but full of enthusiastic people, applaud a clear first round. Sweden’s Henrik von Ackermann, Normand Julien Appallard and German Philipp Weishaupt mimicked them almost without emotion, with ten-year-olds Iliana and Dubai du Cedre and nine-year-old young talent Zinede. The entry of the triple was tied with the Briton Ben Maher, the Olympic champion in the title, and here the spectacular phallic HB.

For Olivier Perreau, who finished fourth in the provisional classification with the Dorai d’Aiguille*GL event, it was a doubles debut, but what a trip again for the revelation pair of these Europeans. Irishman Michael Duffy missed all chance of a podium after taking out Oxers 8c and 12 with a Cinca 3. Markon accepted his first foul of the week to start with a clean score on Cosmopolitan, then fell back one rank.

…and a big day for Julien Appillard

Before the second round was open to the twelve best pairs, Michael Duffy conceded defeat. This time, Ben Maher and Faltik signed off on a clear first round, earning them fourth place… same as last year at the World Championships in Herning. Olivier Perreau didn’t go far enough to do the same, but he didn’t get the distance right to reach the final Auxer 10, so another mistake and above all, a very, very good eighth-place finish. Max Kuhner stumbled on the coast of an impressive vertical 7, finishing seventh. Heinrich von Ackermann took off from vertical 3 and finished a very good sixth with a mare who has really proved herself this year. Despite being hit on vertical 5, Julien Appillard signed a very, very high-ranked second round with Dubai du Cedre, putting the pressure on his competitors. Quadra clenched his fists, and he had reason.

Philipp Weishaupt then put in an impressive performance to seal his place on the podium. A podium that finally welcomed Julian, as Jens Fredriksson, on 7th, could not prevent a mistake from his teammate, who was clearly looking tired. Tough for Sweden, so qualified and tied to these big meets, but fantastic for Ögeron, who won her first seniors’ medal here… and encouraging for France, the team’s first team since the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. Was waiting for the gold medal. Like Julien, Steve Guerdat, the last competitor to return to the track, touched 5th place, and like Julien, along with Philippe, he completed an impressive double clear round to win the gold medal promised by many observers and forecasters. Salaam Sir; Greetings, gentlemen. And kudos to the horses, who put in unforgettable performances throughout the week.

final individual classification
final results
first run course
second round course

All the European Championships in Milan can now be viewed on ClipMyHorse.TV