Some days, everything lines up. This Friday, Switzerland decided not to choose between competitions. Just a few hours after securing its ticket to the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series Final with victory in Šamorín, it did it all over again in a high-level CSIO 5* at Falsterbo, host of a Rolex Series leg. Two different teams, two different contexts, two victories. One month before the World Championships in Aachen, it would be hard to send a clearer message.
Two stages, same scenario
While one team was getting the job done in Slovakia, another was taking on some of the very best on the world circuit in Sweden. At the finish, the conclusion was identical: Switzerland left with two Nations Cups packed in the luggage.
In Šamorín, the mission was twofold: defend the title won in 2025 and secure qualification for the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series Final, which will take place in September in Avenches. Daniel Etter’s riders ticked both boxes with authority, finishing the day on eight faults ahead of Austria and Italy.
Le double sans-faute de Bryan Balsiger and C-Mistral ’s double clear formed the backbone of that victory.
Anthony Bourquard, who had picked up four faults in the first round, bounced back perfectly in round two with Fontaineblau Manciais..
Adrian Schmid produced a clear with Chicharito 11 before being spared in the second act, while veteran Pius Schwizer brought his experience with the promising Global de Riverland..
Beyond the victory, Switzerland once again confirmed the richness of its squad. Between established riders and combinations on the rise, the next generation continues to gain weight.
Behind them, the crumbs were shared out: Austria and Italy, separated by the clock, completed the podium.
Falsterbo, the dress rehearsal that turned into a demonstration
A few hours later, a change of scenery. On to Falsterbo and its mythical grass arena, where several teams already had the World Championships somewhere in the back of their minds.
Switzerland, meanwhile, seemed to have already found its score.
Steve Guerdat undoubtedly wrote one of the finest stories of the day. Paired with Dynamix de Bélhème, absente à 1,60 m depuis le Rolex Grand Prix de Genève en décembre dernier, le champion olympique de Londres réalise deux parcours parfaits. Une prestation qui devrait peser lourd dans les dernières réflexions avant Aix-la-Chapelle.
Alongside him, Jason Smith and Picobello van het Roosakker confirmed a level of consistency worthy of the Swiss Federal Railways with another double clear, just a few weeks after already shining in St. Gallen.
And when Belgium thought it might be pushing Switzerland to the edge, Martin Fuchs took care of reminding everyone why he is one of the world references.
Belgium believed, Martin Fuchs answered
The suspense lasted for a long time.
Peter Weinberg’s team was also entering this class as one final full-scale test before the final World Championship decision. Thanks to the double clear from Thibeau Spits and the indispensable Impress-K van het Kattenheye, the Red Musketeers stayed in touch until the very end, forcing Martin Fuchs and Lorde to bring out the big game and send the two nations into a jump-off.
The Zurich rider did not blink.
In the final duel, Pieter Devos and Primo DV saw their hopes disappear after a refusal followed by a rail. Fuchs, meanwhile, simply made sure. Three small time faults were enough to hand victory to Switzerland.
In his wake, Steve Guerdat and Jason Smith had already done the hardest part with their double clears. Even the elimination of Gaëtan Joliat with Just Special VK in the second round ultimately had no consequence.
On the Belgian side, with zero and four faults forAbdel Saïd with Quaker Brimbelles Z et quatre et zéro points du côté de Nicola Philippaerts with Katanga V/H Dingeshof, the Chef d’Equipe will have some head-scratching to do before finalising his selection. Sunday’s Grand Prix may yet help him…
Les Bleus still under construction
For France, fourth place leaves a mixed taste. Solid enough to stay in the fight until the end, the team led by Edouard Couperie (Sers, Moissonier, Leoni Staut) nevertheless lacked that little extra dose of consistency that tips a Nations Cup. No disaster, but no real statement either. France continues to fine-tune.
While some are still doubting…
This Nations Cup also had the feel of a reality check.
At home, Sweden completely cracked in the second round and finished only seventh, far from the prestige displayed when it won the world title in Herning in 2022. Germany, meanwhile, did not even reach the second round after a catastrophic end to its first round, marked by Philipp Weishaupt’s retirement and Richard Vogel’s unusual thirteen faults.
By contrast, the United States limited the damage to secure third place despite Natalie Dean’s fall.
Amid all that turbulence, Switzerland looked like the most stable team of the day.
A warning before Aachen
Steve Guerdat did not try to hide it. This Nations Cup was meant to serve as a full-scale test to decide whether Dynamix de Bélhème would go to the World Championships. The mare answered with two clears of remarkable quality.
Add a Martin Fuchs as clinical as ever, a Jason Smith full of confidence, a squad depth that allows Switzerland to win two Nations Cups at the same time, and a young generation pushing behind the established names, and you get a selection moving forward with solid certainties.
Winning one Nations Cup is already a performance. Winning two on the same Friday, more than 1,300 kilometres apart, feels almost like a statement of intent.
The message has been received ahead of the Worlds, but not only that. The Swiss will be around for years to come.
Find the full results of the EEF Nations Cup in Šamorín here.
and the full results of the Falsterbo Nations Cup here.
(Photos Cover from left to right : Pius Schwizer, Adrian Schmid, chef d’equipe Daniel Etter, Bryan Balsiger and Anthony Bourquard © EEF et Gaëtan Joliat, Martin Fuchs , Steve Guerdat, Jason Smith and chef d’equipe Peter van der Waaij ©Rolex Series)
