« It was a great adventure, it ended on December 31, despite good results and quite exceptional relationships with many riders and our team leader, Pedro Paulo Lacerda. It’s not a decision taken lightly, it’s a shame that it’s ending, but that’s life, everything has an end », summarizes this Tuesday Philippe Guerdat, who also remained six years at the head of the French team, Olympic champion and vice-world champion, and almost as long before with the Spaniards, the Ukrainians, then the Belgians.
Having suffered in his health for two and a half years, Philippe Guerdat (72 years old) does not hide that this factor played a role, but not only that. The arrival of yet another new president at the head of the Brazilian Equestrian Federation also had its impact, to the extent that he, present at the last CHI in Geneva, wanted him to go to Brazil more often than before. . “ This would have been at the expense of my health treatments, which are essential ».
Over the past six years, Brazil has established itself as one of the best nations in the world, winning 5* Nations Cups, such as Geesteren 2019 (replacing Rotterdam, which organized the Europeans) and La Baule 2023 (just after a 2nd place in St-Gall), and many 5* Grands Prix. “ We were lucky enough to be able to count on the best of the best coaches, the most committed and competent, it was a great chance », Underlines Pedro Veniss, on behalf of his peers.
Medals and good consistency
The two gold medals won by Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and the team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima and the gold and bronze of Stephan Barcha and the team at the following Games, in 2023 in Santiago, were the highest achievements of this team, but the 6e place at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games and 7e place at the Herning 2022 Worlds were more than honorable.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the disqualification of the team for a tiny trace of blood was experienced as an injustice and a tragedy, even if the 5e individual place of Stephan Barcha mitigated it a little. “ We were victims of a totally arbitrary decision, it spoiled our Games and puts a note of sadness in these six very beautiful years », underlines Philippe Guerdat.
And what’s next? “ Everything will depend on my health. I will probably recommend a few riders, it’s my passion, but I don’t think I’ll take over a team. That said, we never know what the future has in store for us, so never say never. ».
Alban Poudret
