Swiss Chef d’Equipe, Rolf Grass, is taking no chances as the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ arrives at his home venue of St Gallen this week. He has selected the best possible team in an effort to cement the lead his country has established after the first two legs of the series, and for Swiss show jumping fans there is an extra edge to the 2009 event.
They will be saying goodbye to one of the greatest riders their country has ever produced when Markus Fuchs officially retires at this year’s prestigious fixture. Fuchs has been the back-bone of many successful Swiss sides over his long and hugely successful career during which the five-time Olympian won the World Cup title in 2001, took individual and team silver at the European Championships in Hickstead in 1999 and European team silver in San Patrignano in 2005. Many of his major successes were recorded with the great Tinka’s Boy with whom he forged a special relationship. For his final week in the limelight however the 53 year old rider will bring Granie and La Toya from his home close to the Gruendenmoos Stadium in St Gallen.
Mr Grass has chosen Daniel Etter, Steve Guerdat, last year’s St Gallen Grand Prix champion Christina Liebherr and Pius Schwizer to join Fuchs on his squad on this important occasion.