Switzerland has secured its place in the League of Nations 2025 series after finishing ranked seventh in 2024 with 11,643 points.
Janika Sprunger hugs Orelie in Abu Dhabi during the League of Nations' first competition last year
Switzerland’s successes include its win in the Nations Cup in 2023 in Dublin and a podium finish in Ocala during the League of Nations in the 2024 series.
Jumping holds a revered place in Swiss equestrian sport.
With 340 national and over a dozen international events hosted annually, the discipline is deeply ingrained in the country’s sporting culture.
Switzerland’s history includes winning the European Championship in Riesenbeck, Germany in 2021, as well as three Olympic team medals: silvers in Paris 1924 and Sydney 2000, and bronze in Beijing 2008.
Current Swiss stars include Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs.
The Swiss Equestrian Federation emphasizes the importance of strong foundational training and promoting young riders.
Leading the Swiss team is chef d’equipe Peter Van Der Waaij of Netherlands who took over from Michel Sorg last year and bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as Dutch team assistant.
SWITZERLAND is focused not only on being competitive in the League of Nations, but to use this series as an opportunity to prepare their athletes for major upcoming events, including the World Championships in Aachen in 2026 and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
The strategy involves introducing new horse and rider combinations to the highest level of competition, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent for the future.
Reflecting on the 2024 season, Van Der Waaij highlighted the team’s resilience and adaptability in the face of the new format’s challenges.
“We have experienced that it is not over until the last athlete has finished. This adds a thrill for the spectators but also requires the athletes to keep their cool, especially in the second round.”
The highlight of the 2024 series for Switzerland was undoubtedly its second-place finish in Ocala.
Competing against a star-studded field, the Swiss team climbed the ranks in the second round to secure second.
“Our team is very persistent," said Van Der Eaaij.. "They keep working on their weaknesses and striving to enhance their strengths. The level of horsemanship among our riders is very high, and they prioritize the well-being of their horses above all. This sometimes means giving horses time off and carefully planning show schedules to ensure peak performance.”
The Swiss Equestrian Federation is committed to growing the sport’s popularity and inspiring the next generation of equestrians.
“We strongly believe that big crowds help our sport move forward, both in the short and long term,” said Van Der Waaij. “Families and young children getting fascinated by our sport are of great importance to the sport as a whole.”
