GENEVA: STEVE GUERDAT, CHI GENEVA SUPERSTAR ROLEX GRAND SLAM MAGAZINE STEVE GUERDAT, CHI GENEVA SUPERSTAR AT FIRST SIGHT 58 “T he spectators noticed him straight away. A boy from western Switzerland, and so incredibly young, just 16 years old and already competing in Geneva. That impressed them. And indeed, he rode exceptionally well from the start. Then he won his first Grand Prix; that left its mark, too. Since then he has conquered the hearts of all. He became a superstar long before he won his Olympic gold medal.” When Alban Poudret, Sports Director of the CHI, describes the bond between Steve Guerdat and the crowd in Geneva, you can hear the fervour in his voice. It is an incredible bond that is still as strong as it was 18 years ago when Guerdat first rode into this arena. The then aspiring teenager has meanwhile become an Olympic champion and a three-time Major winner. What has remained the same is the unique connection between a rider, a show and a crowd who supports its hero like no one else in the world. But like with love, sometimes it takes a little nudge to get things together. For Guerdat and Geneva, it came as a wild card that the rider earned in 1998 for winning the Swiss Junior Champion title. “I was much more overjoyed at being able to compete in Geneva than about winning the Championship title,” recalled Guerdat. “I attended the CHI as a child, and I used to dream about taking part in it myself one day.” Then, in December 1998, that big day finally arrived. At 16 years old, Guerdat rode in Geneva for the first time, but not in the Grand Prix competitions, because he was two years too young. “That was a shame for him and the crowd,” said Poudret. “But he would compete in other Major competitions – and, indeed, go on to win many of them.” Guerdat succeeded in claiming his first Grand Prix victory in 2004. Since then he has added eight additional Grand Prix victories to his list of achievements. And yet, as well as competing, Guerdat always finds time to connect with his CHI fans. “He is totally available for the spectators. He seeks contact, signs autographs – sometimes for as long as two hours – everyone in the queue will leave with one,” says Poudret. “They simply love him and he gives them a lot back in return.” He has also participated in various activities at the show on a few occasions. “I remember a highjump competition in which I was on a horse, competing against a man on foot,” said 34 year-old Guerdat with a smile. “Everyone was sure I would win. But after three attempts, I couldn’t even manage to clear the first jump at 1.40 metres. The pole fell each time, it was so embarrassing!” In contrast, all of the poles stayed up in the 2006 “Rolex Grand Prix”. The champion’s first Major victory. A new beginning, and not just in terms of his sporting career. At the start of that year, Guerdat went independent and no longer had a performance-worthy horse at his disposal. Finally, in September, he acquired “Jalisca Solier”. Just two months later he won the Major in Geneva with her. A historical moment – for him and the spectators. “It was such an emotional victory for me,” said Guerdat. At the time, he wasn’t sure whether he would ever experience a similar feeling again in his life. Perhaps his Olympic victory in 2012 proved him wrong, perhaps not. However, without a doubt, this achievement remains a milestone in his career. Neither he nor the Geneva crowd could ever forget “Jalisca Solier”. Guerdat retired the mare at the
Rolex Grand Slam magazine - Number 4
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