Felix Vogg and Colero at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
We’re now just four weeks away from the start of the 2019 European Championships, which will see us head back to Luhmühlen in northern Germany for the second time this summer. 17 nations will go head-to-head in pursuit of not just a roster of medals, but of valuable Tokyo qualification, too: the two highest-placed teams not already qualified for the Games will secure their spot at this pivotal championship.
The catch? 12 of the 17 nations entered are after those two spots. One of those is Switzerland, who announced their final squad of six today, well ahead of the August 12 final deadline. Congratulations to:
- Caroline Gerber and Tresor de Chignan CH, owned by Claude Gerber
- Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH, owned by Jean-Jacques Fünfschilling
- Roxane Gonfard and Opi de Saint Léo, owned by the rider
- Camille Guyot and Ulsan de Lacorée, owned by the rider
- Tiziana Realini and Toubleu de Reuire, owned by Samuel Siegenthaler and Heinz-Günter Wickenhäuser
- Felix Vogg and Colero, owned by Jürgen Vogg, or Archie Rocks, owned by Phoenix Eventing S.a.r.l., Jürgen Vogg, and the rider
Four of the final six combinations will be named to the Swiss team upon commencement of the Championships, while the remaining two will ride as individuals. Just two of the named combinations represented Switzerland at last year’s WEG: Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH finished 60th individually, while Felix Vogg and Colero – then based in the States full-time – finished 70th, but haven’t been seen out of the top six in an international since.
The Swiss team is headed up by chef d’equipe and team vet Dominik Burger, and are assisted by trainers Ernst Wettstein, Peter Hasenböhler, and Kiwi legend Andrew Nicholson, who was drafted in as cross-country coach at the tail end of last year.
“With a strong team result, we can secure us one of the two remaining quota places for participation in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” says Burger.
We’ll be bringing you further team announcements as they roll in, as well as a comprehensive form guide and field analysis once all the combinations – including the twelve put forward by host nation Germany – have been confirmed. In the meantime, go Switzerland – and Go Eventing!
