The Swiss equestrian federation has announced the team that will represent Switzerland at the 2023 European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck (GER), set to take place on 4 - 10 September 2023.
A day before the definite entry deadline of 25 August, the dressage selection committee of the Swiss federation made their pick public. The decision was made after the final selection trial in Dielsdorf.
Switzerland is sending:
- Delia Eggenberger on Fairtrade
- Charlotte Lenherr on Sir Stanley W
- Charlotta Rogerson on Famora
- Estelle Wettstein on Quaterboy
The reserve is Carla Aeberhard on Delioh von Buchmatt CH.
Team captain Ruth Haas has set modest goals for Riesenbeck, where three Olympic team spots are up for grabs: "The selected combinations have developed positively in the current season and our goal at Riesenbeck is that all riders and horses can achieve their personal best and gain championship experience with a view to the future."
Haas will join team trainer Oliver Oelrich and team vet Christoph Kuhnle in Riesenbeck. Oelrich was appointed team trainer in 2020.
From an Olympic Team Gold Nation to Rebuilding for the Future
Under Oelrich's supervision Switzerland finished 11th at the 2021 European Championships in Hagen and 14th at the 2022 World Championships in Herning.
Once a winning Olympic nation, the last time Switzerland was on a team podium was at the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, when the country was still reaping the benefits of its Cavalry system and the influence of legendary trainer Georg Wahl. In 1993 they were fourth at the Europeans in Lipica, but a year later dropped to 8th place at the 1994 WEG in The Hague/
For the past two decades Switzerland has been struggling for decades to stay connected with the highest scoring teams in dressage sport. At the 2019 Euros they were 11th, they did not send a team to the 2018 World Equestrian Games, at the 2017 Euros they were 9th, at the 2015 euros 12th.
Hopefully this affluent European country with a very successful show jumping division can bring dressage sport back to its former greatness.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2023 European Dressage Championships