With 20 of the total 22 riders the Swiss Elite Squad presents itself with a nearly complete line-up in St. Gallen. At no other tournament of the highest class so many of our riders have the possibility to participate. For all of them this is the chance to make good results and get the opportunity for higher tasks. Participating is special for Bryan Balsiger, Walter Gabathuler and Beat Mändli. 1987 Walter Gabathuler won the Bronze Medal with the team at the European Championship in the Gründenmoos in St. Gallen. Together with Philippe Guerdat, today the Chef d’Equipe in France, Markus Fuchs and Willi Melliger. 30 years later he is the only one still competing. After his remarkable comeback last autumn the “Grandseigneur” of the Swiss show jumping riders is back in the top sport and since 2005 for the first time again competing in the Gründenmoos. A further repatriate is Beat Mändli. His last entry in St. Gallen was six years ago. With him is the young American Katherine A. Dinan, trained by him. Ten years after the European Championship medal of Walter Gabathuler Bryan Balsiger was born. Today he is one of the greatest young talents in Switzerland and it is his first entry at the Longines CSIO St. Gallen.
