Swiss showjumper Pius Schwizer claimed he suffered “significant image damage” thanks to the seizure of horses related to debts, after he was suspended by his national federation.

Horses were taken from his property in Oensingen on 14 August by the local debt collection office. They were returned to their owners on 22 August.

“Over the past few days, various press articles have widely reported information regarding Pius Schwizer’s personal and financial situation, as well as the enforcement measures carried out by the Balsthal debt collection office,” a spokesperson for the rider said.

“Pius Schwizer has suffered significant image damage and has been suspended with immediate effect by Swiss Equestrian.”

The spokesperson pointed out that the horses who were seized did not belong to Pius but were kept at his yard for training and to be competed.

“Pius Schwizer expresses its deep regrets to the owners whose horses were seized as part of security measures, the legality of which will be reviewed.,” he said “The seized horses were fortunately released today and returned to their owners, the debts giving rise to the seizures having been settled on 22 August, 2025.

“Pius Schwizer sincerely thanks its partners, its loved ones, and the many people who have given it their support and trust during this difficult time.”

Pius, 63, has represented Switzerland at three Olympics, 2008, 2012 and 2024, winning team bronze in 2008. He has also competed at three world and four European Championships, winning team gold in 2009.

Swiss Equestrian announced on 20 August that Pius was suspended from the national elite showjumping team with immediate effect.

“According to the squad agreement signed by Pius Schwizer and Swiss Equestrian, the applicable regulations and the values espoused by Swiss Equestrian, Pius Schwizer’s current situation is no longer compatible with the requirements to represent Switzerland at the highest level as a member of the Swiss elite showjumping squad,” the federation said in a statement.

“The suspension is indefinite and will be regularly reviewed by the selection committee depending on the development of Pius Schwizer’s situation. This suspension from the elite squad does not prohibit individual participation in national and international competitions.

“Due to the ongoing proceedings, Swiss Equestrian will not comment further on this case.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Showjumping Horse of the Year 2025

‘Beyond my wildest dreams’: top vaulter turned showjumper excels at European Championships

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Bertram Allen proved a sterling deputy rider at the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships, jumping a fast clear in the first qualifier. Bertram travelled to Herning, Denmark, as a reserve, but when Darragh Kenny had to withdraw, Bertram stepped up and right into the reckoning.

Riding the Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro, the 27-year-old Irishman didn’t touch a pole en route to 82.67sec and into second spot at this stage.

“It’s important to get a good start, and now we’re hopefully into it for the week,” said Bertram, who only arrived at the event the previous day (9 August). “We had to get straight into it, and that’s where I am very lucky that my horse is totally brave and genuine. Nothing fazes him, he was really relaxed.

“The round felt great, but it felt like quite a long way to ride! It’s longer than most grands prix.”

Solid Irish start at World Showjumping Championships

Earlier in the morning, Bertram’s compatriot Denis Lynch had bagged the first clear of the day on Brooklyn Heights, but in a relatively slow time of 88.43sec to take 19th after the second rotation. Bertram was 28th into the ring, about a third of the way through the start-list, so the problem spots had started to become apparent.

The second rotation of team riders was chasing a target of 81.02sec, the lead currently held by Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and his mare Katanga VH Dingeshof, who jumped clear.

“She has a small stride but she jumped well and I tried to go as quick as possible without going too crazy,” said Nicola. “By nature she’s very quick and she has an unbelievable record this year. It’s a long way to go but that was a good start.”

Speed is essential in this class, with a few of the first-rotation riders making the top spots despite a rail down. Four-faulter Marcus Ehning held second on Stargold (83.88sec with the additional four added) after the first rotation, but the second group’s riders have pushed him down the order.

Swiss rider Pius Schwizer had been putting in an eyecatching round at a good pace when he and his partner Vancouver De Lanlore had a miscommunication at the triple bar into the final double and the dark bay by Toulon stopped. They wound up with a total of 93.83sec.

You may also like to read…

‘She felt fantastic’: solid start for British pathfinder Joe Stockdale at World Showjumping Championships

‘He helped me out’: Lynch sets early standard for Ireland at World Showjumping Championships

The bluffer’s guide to showjumping at the 2022 World Championships in Herning

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Swiss rider Pius Schwizer has lost the ride on five of his top horses after his partnership with owners Quinoa Stables ended suddenly earlier this month.

The horses — Caretina De Joter, Living The Dream, Amira, Dundee vd Dwerse Hagen and Newton De Haut Bois — were moved from Irish rider Cameron Hanley’s yard in January this year.

The reason cited at the time for the move from Cameron’s yard was that the horses would be closer to their owners at Pius’ base. The 17-year-old showjumper Morgane Dassio also joined the team at the same time.

However, the horses are now changing rider again.

Carentina De Joter and Living The Dream will be going Olympic showjumper and Global Champions Tour supremo Jan Tops’ base in the Netherlands.

Carentina De Joter will ridden by Jan’s wife, Edwina Tops Alexander, but it is unknown who will take on Living The Dream as yet.

The remaining three horses will be campaigned by young Swiss rider Morgane Dassio.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medal-winning showjumper revealed on his website that it was a “bitter loss”. Pius added that the horses had “developed marvellously” since arriving at his yard earlier this year.

The relationship with the owners came to an “abrupt end” on 10 July.

“The horses were taken away from Oensingen. Owner Eleonore Paschoud stated the pressure and the duties that came along with the huge success were too much for her,” read a statement.

Pius added: “I very much regret this. But what can I do, I have to respect the owner’s decision. My whole season planning was concentrated on these horses. Now I have to count on my young prospects and also try to strengthen again my string of horses.”

Pius was yesterday (Tuesday 21 July) named as one of the riders on the shortlist for the Swiss team for European Championships, along with Giovanni Van Het Scheefkasteel.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish showjumper Cameron Hanley has suffered a major blow as his top horses have been moved to Swiss rider Pius Schwizer.

Cameron’s World Equestrian Games partner Antello Z is one of seven that have been transferred to Pius, after owners EuroAsia decided to move the horses.

Six other showjumpers — Amira, Dundee vd Dwerse Hagen, Cas II, Caretina De Joter, Player du Quesnoy and Newton du Haut Bois — also join Pius.

Cameron competed Amira and Newton du Haut Bois at Basel last weekend (8-10 January).

“It breaks my heart that the horses I ride will be moving to another rider,” said Cameron.

“I have been very lucky to have been supported by EuroAsia for the past two years and have had the chance to ride some fantastic horses.

“As a rider who bonds very closely with his horses it will be hard to let go, but this is part of life and part of our sport. I wish the horses all the success they deserve in the future. They are all stars.”

Cameron, who was 2009 Irish showjumper of the year, has had a tough few years.

He damaged his knee in a freak accident in the summer of 2011 while playing with his children at home in Germany.

He spent four months in hospital and had 17 operations, after rupturing his patella tendon.

However, last year he was back in action having been selected for the Irish Nations Cup team with Antello Z. The partnership also travelled to Normandy for the World Equestrian Games where the Irish team finished seventh.

Cameron rode Antello Z until the horse went to British showjumper Michael Whitaker in 2012. In Feburary 2013 the horse returned to Cameron to compete.

Cameron, who is based in Germany, retains a share in Living The Dream, although it is unclear as yet whether he will keep the ride.

Pius also announced the news on his website.

“Cameron showed courage and resolution to climb back in a spectacular fashion in the world ranking list [after injury],” said a statement.

“The entire EuroAsia team warmly thanks Cameron Hanley for the great achievements made together and wishes him the best in his showjumping endeavours. The EuroAsia horses will pursue their top level showjumping career in the Swiss colours under Pius Schwizer.”

The reason cited was that the horses would be closer to their owners at Pius’ yard, where 17-year-old showjumper Morgane Dassio will also join the team.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Pius Schwizer (above) won the opening speed leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final tonight in Lyon.

Riding 32nd of 40 riders, the Swiss star put in a neat, tidy round on the 10-year-old chestnut gelding Quidam Du Vivier to finish in 63.37sec.

“It’s his first international victory, but he’s naturally super super fast,” said Pius of the horse he has been riding 4 months. “I saw Patrice [Delaveau, leader before Pius] go and knew I’d have to be very fast to win this class, but today was his day.”

The World Cup format permits riders to swap horses during the final and Pius will ride Toulago in tomorrow’s grand prix.

The runner-up, France’s Patrice Delaveau — who made a notably tight turn on the switchback to fence 8 — stopped the clock on 63.67sec with Lacrimoso HDC.

“There can be extra pressure riding in your home country, but the positive factor is the crowd like to see you win and spur you on, so it can go both ways,” said Patrice, who will ride Lacrimoso throughout the final.

Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum held the lead from 5th draw until Patrice’s round two-thirds of the way through and closed the evening in 3rd with Chaman.

“I wouldn’t have changed anything if I’d gone later — I was absolutely happy with my round and my horse,” he said. “There was nothing I could have done better today.”

Ludger rides Chiara 222 tomorrow. 

Britain’s riders both suffered disappointment. Michael Whitaker was 1st in with European team gold medallist Viking and took out fence 9, an upright off a 4-stride related distance. He holds 16th place.

“He jumped really well and tried hard — it all went according to plan, he just touched one and it came down,” said Michael. “But he’s very consistent and jumps very few bad rounds, so I’m quietly confident.”

Scott Brash — drawn 38th — was challenging for the lead with Ursula XII (right) as he came to the final fence,

but alas, the 13-year-old mare touched the top rail down, dropping the pair to 11th.

“I’m really annoyed because she jumped fantastic and it was just a very slight mistake — I maybe should have sat up a touch taller,” said Scott.

Riders are given points for their placings in tonight’s speed leg and tomorrow’s grand prix. After tomorrow evening’s contest, points are transformed into penalties — with the leading rider having 0 penalties — and carried forward into Monday’s final decider.

Scott believes he is out of the running for top spot now.

“It’s pretty frustrating,” he said. “You could still win it from where she’s at, but from the horse and rider combinations in front of us there’s not just 1 good one, but about 8 top top ones — I can see at least one jumping clear all the way through.”

Ireland’s Billy Twomey has made a good start in the final, taking 8th tonight on the 17-year-old mare Tinka’s Serenade.

Full report on the FEI World Cup dressage and showjumping finals in H&H next week, out 24 April.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British showjumping team may still be under wraps but Urs Gr ¼nig, Switzerland’s chef d’equipe, has revealed the Swiss combinations they will face at Greenwich.

The Swiss team will be:

• Clarissa Crotta with West Side van Meerputhoeve
• Steve Guerdat with Nino des Buisssonnets, Nasa or Carpalo,
• Werner Muff with Kiamon
• Pius Schwizer with Carlina or Verdi
• Reserve: Paul Estermann with Castlefield Eclipse

And the Brits can sum them up in advance as Switzerland is sending the team – minus Clarissa Crotta – to Aachen.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

After the excitement of Britain’s silver medal in the dressage, attentions turned to the show jumping championships on Wednesday evening where riders from Switzerland and the Netherlands dominated in the opening round.

A total of 77 riders from 24 nations came forward for the speed leg — the first qualifier for both the team and the individual competition — and a third of the field posted clears. A treble combination at fence 10 and the H&M upright at fence 11, jumped at an acute angle, proved costly for many but this competition was all about who could come home fastest.

Swiss rider Pius Schwizer and the 12-year-old gelding Ulysse made light of Bob Ellis’s 13-fence track, taking an early lead in 68.31sec. Only his team-mate Steve Guerdat (Jasica Solier) looked like threatening, finishing clear in 68.42sec, putting the Swiss team into the lead at this early stage.

“I would have been happy to finish second or third,” said Pius of the anxious wait he faced after setting an early target. “But I know this is a top horse who has jumped well all season. He’s brave and is used to jumping under the lights.”

Snapping at Switzerland’s heels are the Netherlands, as the times from Wednesday’s competition are translated to penalties and carried through to Friday’s second round. Harrie Smolders (Exquis Walnut De Muze) and Angelique Hoorn (Blauwendraad’s O’Brien) filled third and fourth places respectively.

There were mixed fortunes for the British team, although arguably this speed leg does not play to the strengths of their four horses. Tim Stockdale (Fresh Direct Corlato) posted eight faults for a total time of 78.71sec, while Peter Charles (Murka’s Pom D’Ami) and Geoff Billington (Rosinus) both collected four faults to finish just above Tim in the pecking order.

Last to go of the British quartet, Robin Hood W dazzled under the Windsor floodlights for Ben Maher and never looked like rubbing a pole. A quick round put them into ninth individually (70.92sec) and the British team into seventh.

“If someone had told me this morning that I’d be only 2sec behind the leaders, I’d have grabbed it,” said a delighted Ben. “I didn’t expect this to be his best day — he’ll get better as the show goes on.”

The team medals will be decided on Friday and the individual competition finishes on Sunday.

Follow the rest of the action from the European dressage and jumping championships at www.horseandhound.co.uk and don’t miss the full report, pictures, comment and analysis in Horse & Hound 28 August issue.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now