Sport and Health

Steve Guerdat, the horse whisperer

10 September 2024

Curated by Romano Pezzani

Twelve years after writing the history of Swiss equestrianism by winning Olympic gold in London 2012, Steve Guerdat returned to shine at the Paris 2024 Games, winning a splendid silver medal. An extraordinary result for the Jurassian rider, born in 1982, who confirmed his class and his unchanged passion for this sport. "I love what I do so much that I feel like a kid on my horses. The desire is always the same and I face every competition as if it were the first time"

With three world golds, a European title and now two Olympic medals around his neck in six editions (as well as a team bronze in Beijing 2008), Steve Guerdat continues to give success and excitement to the red-cross fans.

Dynamix de Bélhème was once again fantastic after her nomination as “Horse of the Year 2023”. At the Palace of Versailles, she enchanted with her elegance. This time, she narrowly missed out on gold…

"She lived up to her class. I was the one who failed to maintain maximum concentration in the final jump-off, the certainty of a medal perhaps distracted me and the mistake on the penultimate obstacle was decisive. However, I do not feel frustrated at having missed the Olympic title, because I am proud to have won this silver medal for Switzerland."

His words are engaging, true champions are recognized precisely in these moments.

"Many people don't realize, and perhaps I sometimes forget it myself, how difficult it is to win, in any sport. At the Olympics, everyone wants to shine among the best in the world. I am convinced that there are several riders better than me and I don't have the impression that I am always at the top. My returns home, on Sundays after the competitions, have often been more painful than pleasant. It was an indescribable emotion when I was able to give my 4-year-old daughter Ella the gold medal of the 2023 European Championships with Dynamix. With my wife Fanny, we live equestrianism with great intensity."

Ticino is also particularly proud that his mare was discovered and purchased by Sabina Cartossi and Gianluca Agustoni of the “CHC Horses” stable in Sementina.

«It was a godsend to meet two extraordinary people like them, because our relationship goes beyond that of owners and riders. In addition to Dynamix, who we brought to Paris 2024, I was able to count on two other high-level horses like Corbinian and Venard de Cerisy, who came out of “CHC Horses”. If I can be happy in my daily life, where I share intense moments with such fantastic animals, it is thanks to Gianluca and Sabina. I owe a lot of the happiness in my life to them. In my mind and in my heart, they are true friends, beyond their role as owners. They have always put the love for horses first and the fact that they could stay with me. And I consider this an inestimable value. My gratitude towards them is immense, without them I would not be myself».

She has the gift of knowing how to whisper to horses, with whom she lives in a true symbiosis. How does she find this connection?

"It's something natural for me, because I've always liked spending a lot of time with them. I spend most of my days with my horses and our relationship favors natural communication, based on gestures and contact. I don't consider myself a great trainer, but I try to create a sort of discussion with the horse to find a common language that helps us grow together."

What is the secret of your understanding with Dynamix?

"Patience. When she arrived in my stable in Elgg six years ago, I immediately sensed her enormous potential, but I wanted to give her time to mature and develop her skills without forcing her. I have always believed in her, even if the first important results only came in 2022."

What are his qualities?

«Dynamix is a formidable mare, with a strong and determined character. She is a sweetheart, incredibly gentle. She is the first horse my daughter Ella has ever petted, and the first one we dared to put her on. Dynamix is almost like a person, she understands everything. She reminds me of a gifted student who is bored in class. I had to be careful not to bore her. She was born knowing what she had to do. That is why the word genius suits her perfectly. It is impossible to find a negative point in this mare. She is pure happiness.

The European title came with Dynamix, on September 3, 2023 in Milan. And to think that he chased it for twenty long years…

“In 2003, at the beginning of my career, I had finished sixth because of a mistake on the penultimate hurdle that cost me the gold medal. I always had the feeling that at that European Championship I had let my chance pass. “Will it ever happen again?”, I kept asking myself. And then Dynamix changed everything. It was a great liberation. Because it was one of the rare mistakes that still woke me up at night, almost like a nightmare. I literally freed myself. That's why it was a victory that had a special meaning for me and that definitely helped me win the silver medal in Paris 2024.”

The French Olympics have consecrated you among the myths of Swiss sport, so much so that you are considered in the noble equestrian environment with the style and class of Roger Federer. How do you feel?

"I'm pleased with this comparison, because Swiss sport deserves the utmost respect, not only in terms of victories. Each discipline is different and it's very difficult to draw parallels. Roger is an example of success, style and continuity. Another idol who inspires me is Michael Jordan. Even today, when I think of fighting, getting up and continuing my progression, images of Michael come to mind, who left an indelible mark on me."

The silver medal of the mare Dynamix

A kiss with the silver medal between the teeth. Sabina Cartossi and Gianluca Agustoni, the owners of Steve Guerdat's mare who shone in Paris 2024, are beaming. "It is an indescribable joy to see Dynamix on the podium at the Palace of Versailles. For us it was already a great honor to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with our other horse, Venard de Cerisy."

Gianluca Agustoni, already a high-level rider, had the opportunity to train with Philippe Guerdat, Steve's father. "At the time, he was the one who trained the young Swiss and that's when I met the Guerdat family," Gianluca emphasizes.

Trust is a key element in the relationship between the Ticino owners and the champion from Bassecourt (JU), who enjoys complete freedom with their horses. "Strategic decisions are up to him alone, we are available at all times," says Sabina. As in Paris, where she was present with her children Ferdinand and Isabelle, accompanied by Emma together with her father Gianluca Agustoni, all members of the Swiss delegation who supported Dynamix.

Theirs is a sincere friendship, based for over ten years on a shared passion for horses and mutual respect. "Steve is special with horses, he treats them with love and great sensitivity," Sabina emphasizes. "We have total trust in him. Our bond is very deep and is constantly evolving, both on a personal level and on a sporting level," adds Gianluca. "I fully embrace the principles on which Steve bases his life as a man and an athlete. This is why our union is very strong."

The presence of two red and blue horses in Paris 2024 – Dynamix de Bélhème (entrusted to Steve Guerdat) and Leone Jei (owned by Adolfo Juri di Ambrì and ridden by Martin Fuchs) – is a source of great pride for Ticino. Sabina, Gianluca and Adolfo, with their passion and commitment, have contributed to bringing our canton to the center of the global equestrian scene, demonstrating the excellence of horse breeding and training.