By Oriane Grandjean
Photography: Private collection (Pierre Saunier)

During September the young horse competitions were organized at IENA (National Equestrian Centre) in Avenches, Switzerland, offering an opportunity for the horses of the youngest of the two national federations of Cheval Suisse to compete. In addition, breeders whose horses managed to qualify for the final were offered a bonus by their federation.

In the six-year-old class, although victory went to the Selle Français Feeling des Fontaines (Padock du Plessis x Le Tôt de Semilly), the best performance by a horse from the Cheval Suisse could be attributed to the runner-up, Cassiopée du Perchet. This daughter of Copain du Perchet comes from the excellent breeding of Pierre Saunier, in the Jura region.
Saunier original made a name for himself by producing the elegant stallion Copain du Perchet, who evolved on the international scene, first under the saddle of the Swiss rider Edwin Smits, before joining the stables of the Britain’s Emily Moffitt. He placed in some of the most beautiful arenas around the world, such as CSIO St. Gallen, Falsterbo, Dublin, and Geneva. Copain is out of Romulée du Perchet, a Pierre Saunier mare that he crossed with Conteur. In addition to Copain, Romulée also produced Lupin du Perchet, who jumped up to 1m55. As for Cassiopée du Perchet, her dam is Grosso’s Erbin D (Grosso Z), a Westfalian acquired by the Jura breeder, and whose brother, Grosso Erbe, has competed in Grand Prix dressage.
In the five-year-old class victory went to Chamyo de F, a Holsteiner by Chaman and Castellini, ridden by Timo Heiniger. A well-deserved second place with to Swiss Horse Gianni de Coco – a gelding by the excellent Aganix du Seigneur and out of a dam by Cassini II. His rider, Tiziana Realini, a confirmed eventing rider, is also the owner and breeder.
The du Perchet stud also stood out in the five-year-old class, also taking 10th place with Cute Girl du Perchet, and 11th with Carak du Perchet. Both are products of Copain du Perchet. Pierre Saunier explained; “I don't have many of Copain’s offspring in my stables, as Copain represents the seventh generation of my breeding, and as I’ve had a lot of females, I avoid inbreeding. I did cross a few of Copain’s ‘cousins’ with him, as some well-known breeders have done so with good results. As far as the feedback I get from breeders who have used Copain, they are all satisfied because he produces horses that are easy to use, perform well, and are very stylish.”