There were a lot of emotions in St. Gallen on Monday, as Switzerland won the CSIO5* Nations Cup on home soil – 26 years after their last team victory at the traditional venue. 

Above, living legend John Whitaker congratulates the winning team’s Pius Schwizer, after a battle between Great Britain and Switzerland for the victory. Schwizer delivered the third clear round for the Swiss in round two of the Nations Cup, levelling them with the Brits – that were in the lead after round one. It all came down to British anchor rider John Whitaker as last to go in the ring, and he had to deliver a clear in order to go into a jump-off for the win against the Swiss. However, one pole down for the 66-year-old dropped Great Britain to third, and handed the Swiss a very popular victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd. 

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. 

The youngest rider on the Swiss team – 22-year-old Edouard Schmitz – wasn't even born at the time of Switzerland’s last Nations Cup win in St. Gallen... Here Schmitz gives Quno a well-deserved kiss after a job well done, with a clear in round two of the competition. 

The four stars behind the scenes – the winning grooms Kaci Pirnerova, Thibault Baudron, Emma Uusi-Simola and Sean Vard – together with their Chef d'Equipe Michel Sorg.

The eight stars of the Swiss team: Pius Schwizer with Vancouver de Lanlore, Martin Fuchs with Leone Jei, Edouard Schmitz with Quno and Steve Guerdat with Venard de Cerisy. 

Michel Sorg looked like he really couldn't believe what had just happened.

The star of the weeekend! On Saturday, Martin Fuchs won the Longines Grand Prix with Conner Jei, and continued to deliver with a double clear aboard Leone Jei in Monday's Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Switzerland.

The relatively new combination of Pius Schwizer and Vancouver de Lanlore started off with eight faults in the first round, to step up and deliver a clear in the second round. 

Happiness, tears and hugs all around on the Swiss team. 

A lot of love for Steve Guerdat's Venard de Cerisy. 

The home crowd had been waiting a long time for this moment!

Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei gave the Swiss team the best possible start, with two clear rounds. 

After four faults in the first round, Edouard Schmitz and Quno could celebrate a clear the second time around. 

Pure joy as Pius Schwizer jumped clear in round two, levelling the Swiss team with Great Britain that held the lead at this point. 

Thumbs up from Pius Schwizer to the amazing audience supporting him to a clear round. 

Michel Sorg soaked in champagne!

Congrats to the winning team!