Swiss rider Steve Guerdat claimed victory in the 205,000 euro World Cup competition in Leipzig aboard Iashin Sitte, solidifying his status as the weekend's standout performer. He had already triumphed in the Championships on Saturday with Is-Minka. Guerdat's clear round in the jump-off edged out Frenchman Simon Delestre by over a second.
Steve Guerdat, the Olympic champion from Jura, Switzerland, emerged as the dominant figure at the Leipzig equestrian event. Riding Iashin Sitte, he secured the win in the 205,000 euro World Cup competition, which served as the ninth of 13 qualifying tests for the World Cup Final in the United States in April.
In the decisive jump-off, eleven pairs competed, and Guerdat delivered a flawless performance, clocking in at 42.21 seconds. This placed him just over a second ahead of second-placed Simon Delestre from France. Fellow Swiss rider Bryan Balsiger, aboard C-Mistral, finished 19th after incurring a knockdown.
The victory added 20 qualifying points to Guerdat's tally, positioning him as Switzerland's top rider in tenth place overall with 29 points. However, Guerdat has confirmed during the CSI-Basel event that he will skip the World Cup Final this year, citing the heavy strain on his horses.
Guerdat's earlier success on Saturday came with Is-Minka in the Championships, underscoring his strong form throughout the weekend. This performance highlights his continued prowess in international show jumping despite the challenges of maintaining horse welfare.
