SWITZERLAND (by Helga Eppler) The Swiss breeding showcase made a triumphant return with the rotation test for seven-year-olds and the Swiss Breed Classic Final at the CHI Geneva. For four days, and in front of over 40,000 spectators, the renowned show also hosted the Rolex Grand Slam, the Rolex Top Ten IJRC and FEI World Cup Driving. The FEI World ranking leader Scott Brash from Great Britain with his sBs gelding Hello Sanctos proved unbeatable in the two main jumping classes.
The rotation test which featured four seven-year-old Swiss-bred horses under the saddles of international riders competing at a high level at the Geneva show has become a tradition, already held for several years in front of an interested audience. Unfortunately, the Swiss Warmblood Association had to cancel their organization of this very popular test last year due to budgetary restraints, much to the disappointment of the spectators.
But this year, the rotation test was back at the horse show and once more provided a great showcase for ZVCH. Likewise, the Swiss Breed Classic Super Final (reported later in this article).
Rotation Test
Under the saddles of all four riders, Cayman Athletic CH (Indoctro I - Carrera x Caro- lus), a gelding bred by Martin Bannward, owned by Pascal Bucher, was the clear winner. With just one rail apiece, two horses shared the runners-up position: Cantano S CH (Chameur - Caladonia S x Wandango) bred by Ernst Salzmann and owned by Josef Simpert, and Karina von Der Breiten CH (Karacondo - Roxette vom Jlum x Rocky de Baussy) bred and owned by Thomas Bader. Also with just one rail, but also penalties for a refusal, Carnaval du Moulin CH (Chameur x Narcos II) bred and owned by Otto Bertschi followed in fourth place. The Holstein-bred Chameur (Capitol I - Atlanta III x Landgraf) one of Swiss breeding’s most successful sires has had two offspring competing in this test...
