Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat has been side-lined due to health issues, the current world number two shared on social media on Wednesday evening. The 43-year-old has had to go through an emergency back surgery due to a herniated disk, and will unfortunately miss out on the 2025 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final on home soil in Basel, Switzerland, which takes place the first week of April.

"Just before Christmas I had a successful meniscus operation, and this Tuesday I had to have emergency surgery on my back because of a hernia – which was nothing new but it had moved and gained a lot of volume in recent weeks,” Guerdat explained in his post on social media about the health issues that he has been struggling with. 

Despite of these health issues, a strong wish to participate in the first Rolex Grand Slam of the year at The Dutch Masters and at the World Cup Final on home soil in Basel has pushed Guerdat to keep going. “Today, unfortunately, my medical team clearly told me that it is unthinkable to hope to participate,” Guerdat wrote. “I will need time to get back on my feet first, not to mention on a horseback. I am in very good hands and I am highly motivated to return quickly, but I must take the necessary time. I admit that it is quite hard for me to accept after all the efforts this winter and the obsession with qualifying which lasted until the very last moment in Gothenburg. However, the pain and fear of the last days also made me realize that despite all the passion I have for my sport, it is of no use if my health is not there.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my entire team at home who has been with me every day through this difficult period, my owners who have been fantastic and who have showed me all their friendship and presence to support me every second. My sponsors who also show me their full trust and support, and obviously my friends and family who, as usual, are always there for me and are simply perfect.” 

“I would still like to end on a positive note,” Guerdat concluded. “I am perfectly aware of being a privileged person in life, I never forget that.” 

At World of Showjumping, we wish Steve a speedy recovery!