Ten days ago, Switzerland was already making noise by winning the Nations Cups of Šamorín and Falsterbo in showjumping on the very same day. Just as Peter van der Waaij’s men had already won the Nations Cup in St. Gallen a few weeks earlier. This time, the mountain air has boosted eventing. At home in Avenches, Dominik Burger’s riders produced a collective masterclass to claim the Nations Cup ahead of Germany and the Netherlands. A rise in power that smells promising ahead of the Worlds… provided they have not reached peak form a little too early.
A Switzerland winning everywhere
There was a time when Switzerland was seen as a solid, diligent nation, sometimes even a little too sensible. This summer, it looks more like a winning machine.
After sweeping up two showjumping Nations Cups in the space of a few days, eventing has now invited itself to the feast as well. In Avenches, in front of their home crowd, the Swiss team confirmed that its preparation for the World Championships in Aachen was not just some bonding camp with matching tracksuits.
The message sent to the competition is crystal clear: Switzerland will be there.
First behind Germany…
et it had not all started under the best omens.
After the dressage, the Swiss sat in second place on 83.5 penalties, behind a German team already firmly installed in the lead on 79.2. Felix Vogg and Colero opened hostilities perfectly with a solid 25.4, ahead of Mélody Johner and Erin (28,3), Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH on 29.8, whileAngelika Dubach and Felin de Chignan completed the quartet on 36.5.
Nothing alarming. But nothing won either.
Then came the cross-country lesson
The cross-country changed everything.
While several teams lost their footing on a demanding course, the Swiss rolled out their score with almost clinical control.
The masterpiece came from Mélody Johner and Erin. Among the 71 combinations entered, they were the only ones to complete the cross-country without the slightest penalty, while still making the optimum time. A true double clear that provisionally propelled them into second place individually.
Around them, no one cracked. Felix Vogg and Colero conceded only 4.4 time penalties, Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH just 6, whileAngelika Dubach also added her stone to a remarkably well-built collective edifice.
The result: on 93.9 penalties, Switzerland took the lead before the final test.
No panic over the poles
The final act played out over the showjumps. The place where team dreams sometimes turn into nightmares. But on Sunday, the Swiss had clearly left the stress back in the stable.
Felix Vogg Felix Vogg assumed his role as leader with the composure we know him for. One rail down, not enough to shake a team already firmly on the tracks towards victory, and second place in the short-format 4* into the bargain. Behind him, Robin Godel delivered the perfect round at the perfect moment, the one that locks down a collective success more than it polishes an individual ranking. Mélody Johner, the heroine of the cross-country the day before, did let two rails slip away, but her exceptional performance in the key test still allowed her to remain in the Top 5.
As for Angelika Dubach, impeccable too, she gave the team the luxury of a clear round… which would not even count in the final score.
The kind of detail that perfectly sums up Switzerland’s day: when your dropped score is a clear round, things are generally rolling quite nicely.
Verdict: Swiss victory on 105.9 penalties, ahead of Germany on 112.4 and the Netherlands on 121.3.
A clear win. Built. Almost logical.
A dress rehearsal that turns into a recital
Selector Dominik Burger did not hide his satisfaction.
« The FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Avenches was the ideal dress rehearsal for us ahead of the World Championships in Aachen. At the same time, we wanted to offer the Swiss public high-quality eventing. To achieve that while also winning at home makes us particularly proud and happy. This result gives us a lot of confidence and optimism ahead of the World Championships. »
There it is: dress rehearsal.
And rarely has a rehearsal looked so much like a triumphant opening night.
Euphoria, yes. The trap too.
It is hard not to get carried away by this momentum.
The showjumpers win. The eventers win. The established names deliver. The younger generation is gaining strength. The organisation is running smoothly. The horses seem ready.
In short, every light is green.
One question remains, the one every selector dreads when a team strings together performances before a major championship: has peak form arrived at the right time?
Because World Championships do not reward those who shine in June or July. They crown those who can still accelerate when the pressure reaches its maximum.
For now, Switzerland can enjoy it. Avenches confirmed that its eventing team now belongs among the world’s leading circle. And with the 2027 European Championships approaching, the Vaud venue also showed that it has everything needed to be a major international stage.
One thing is certain: in recent weeks, the white-cross flag has been flying over Nations Cups everywhere. And, for the moment, no one really seems to know how to bring it down from the mast.
The full results of the Avenches Nations Cup are available here.
Photos © FEI/Libby Law Photography
