The lists are out. No more speculation, calculations or paddock debates. Switzerland and Ireland have officially named their four-rider squads for the World Show Jumping Championships, which will take place from August 11 to 23 in Aachen. Two teams with very different profiles, but one shared ambition: to win a medal… and, above all, secure a precious ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Switzerland banks on balance between safe bets and fearless youth
There was little suspense around Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat. The two pillars of Swiss showjumping will indeed be in Aachen. Fuchs will be paired with Conner JEI, who has produced a season at the very highest level.
Guerdat will place his trust in Dynamix de Bélhème, the reigning European champion and Olympic silver medallist in Paris.
A choice that will no doubt fuel discussion. In recent weeks, Iashin Sitte had made a strong impression, notably at the CSI5* in Falsterbo. Enough to reopen the debate, but not enough to change Peter van der Waaij’s plans, as he remains loyal to the mare with whom Guerdat has already written some of the finest pages of recent showjumping.
Around this experienced duo, the selector has chosen to trust two riders on the rise.
Jason Smith, now a regular presence in Swiss selections, will ride Picobello van’t Roosakker. The pair has established itself as one of the driving forces of the team in the Nations Cup, notably with a clear round in the Nations Cup of St. Gallen.
The other great story is Gaëtan Joliat. Only a few seasons after arriving at the highest level, the rider from Jura will contest his first major championship with Chelsea Z. His consistency in Rotterdam, as well as his performances in the 1.60m Grands Prix of Abu Dhabi and Falsterbo, definitively convinced the selector.
As reserve, Alain Jufer will travel with the highly promising Chaccoo de l’Escant MMonly nine years old but already noticed after a first clear round in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam.
As a direct consequence of Joliat’s selection, Célia Biasi regains her place at the European Young Rider Championships in Hagen with Pandy Floss.
Clear objective: Los Angeles 2028
Peter van der Waaij does not beat around the bush.
« Our objective is clear: to finish among the top seven nations in order to qualify Switzerland for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. »
The Chef d’Equipe sees his group as a clever blend of experience and freshness.
Martin Fuchs arrives with a horse at the peak of his form. Steve Guerdat will be able to rely on a mare who knows how to show up on the days when medals are handed out. Behind them, Jason Smith and Gaëtan Joliat embody this new generation that is hitting harder and harder on the biggest arenas.
On paper, Switzerland may have less depth than some rival nations. But rarely has a Swiss team looked so balanced.
Ireland arrives full of confidence
If there is one nation landing in Aachen with the wind at its back, it is Ireland.
Jessica Kürten has confirmed a quartet that almost picks itself: Bertram Allen, Darragh Kenny, Cian O’Connor and Shane Sweetnam.
Hard to make it much more solid.
Allen continues to build momentum with Qonquest De Rigo. Kenny comes off a spectacular double clear in the Nations Cup of Falsterbo with Eddy Blue..
O’Connor, the eternal competitor for the big occasions, will be reunited with Chatolinue PS, fourth in the Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule.
And then there is Shane Sweetnam.
The world number five has just claimed his first CSI5* Grand Prix win in Falsterbo with James Kann Cruz, confirming that he now forms one of the most high-performing partnerships on the planet.
The travelling reserve will be Denis Lynch with Vistogrand, while Daniel Coyle (Gisbourne VDL) and Jordan Coyle(Chaccolino) will remain on standby as non-travelling reserves.
Two philosophies, one same challenge
The comparison is interesting.
Switzerland presents a squad in which two monuments frame two newcomers who no longer have much left to prove. Ireland, meanwhile, lines up four riders used to the very biggest occasions, all already performing this season in CSI5* classes and Nations Cups.
Yet the two teams share the same dynamic: a world medal is obviously in everyone’s minds, but the strategic priority remains identical. In Aachen, the top seven nations will secure their Olympic qualification for Los Angeles 2028.
And on an arena where showjumping history has so often been written in capital letters, no one will be allowed to make themselves small.
