The organisers of the four prestigious Majors that make up the RGS were quick to agree to pay tribute to the Swiss rider in a special ceremony, to be held at Palexpo at 21:10 on Saturday 9 December. The winner of four Major events – three of them coming since the creation of the RGS in 2013 – Guerdat is the only rider to compete at every Major in the last ten years, appearing at 34 events out of 34 in that time.
The Jura rider won in Geneva in 2006 on the remarkable Jalisca Solier, a victory that will always be remembered as the one marked the start of a glittering career. He was a winner in Geneva again in 2013, this time on Nino des Buissonnets (photo) – the horse he won Olympic gold with in London the year before – as the Rolex Grand Prix made its RGS debut. The pair repeated the feat two years later, at an arena that is close to the 41-year-old rider’s heart. Guerdat’s fourth Major win came at Spruce Meadows in 2021 on Venard de Cerisy, and he has come within a few tenths of further Major success on a number of other occasions.
The ceremony will be followed by a tribute to Guerdat and Dynamix de Bélhème, the horse with whom he recently won the European title in Milan. It promises to be quite an occasion as the Geneva crowd pays homage to one of its favourite riders, one not to be missed!
“The RGS is a great concept that brings together the best events in the world, and I always try to make space for them in my diary,” said Guerdat. “Given the schedule, we can’t fight on every front, but the events that make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are just that little bit extra special. They’re the ones you dream about as a rider. I’m very lucky to be able to continue taking part in these Majors and to stay competitive too.”
Source: Press Release