It has been a while since the Swiss claimed a team medal at a major championship. In 2021, they secured gold at the European Championships in Riesenbeck, but this was followed by an eighth-place finish at the 2022 World Championships, a sixth-place finish at the European Championships in Milan, and fifth-place finishes last year at both the Paris Olympic Games and the European Championships in La Coruña. However, their convincing victory in the Nations Cup of Falsterbo last weekend proved that the Swiss are back with a top-tier team.

With an eye on qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles—which requires a top-seven finish—the squad travels to Aachen with high confidence.

Led by team manager Peter van der Waaij, Switzerland will line up with:

  • Steve Guerdat with Dynamix du Belheme (v. Snaike de Blondel)

  • Martin Fuchs with Conner Jei (v. Connor, breeder: Gerhard Stamer)

  • Jason Smith with Picobello van 't Roosakker (v. Kassander van 't Roosakker, BWP)

  • Gaetan Joliat with Chelsea Z (Zangersheide)

Traveling as the reserve:

  • Alain Jufer with Chacoo de l'Escant MM (v. Chacoon Blue, breeder: Gestüt Lewitz)

The team is spearheaded by reigning European Champion and Olympic individual silver medalist Steve Guerdat riding the 13-year-old Dynamix du Belheme, who returned from a rest period to jump an impressive double-clear in Falsterbo. For Aachen, Martin Fuchs has opted for his experienced 15-year-old Holsteiner, Conner Jei.

An in-form combination to watch is Jason Smith with the 11-year-old BWP stallion Picobello van 't Roosakker, who recently jumped two clear rounds in the Nations Cup to play a pivotal role in the Swiss home victory in St. Gallen, and finished a sensational fifth in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva last winter. The team is completed by 21-year-old Gaetan Joliat with Chelsea Z, who were successful at last year's Under-21 European Championships and heavily contributed to the Swiss results in Rotterdam and Falsterbo this season.