World of Showjumping
World of ShowjumpingWorld of Showjumping
Menu

Quotes after the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 | Simone Blum on DSP Alice: “She has the biggest heart and she always fights”

Sunday, 23 September 2018
FEI World Equestrian Games 2018

Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson “I am so grateful to be here, I cannot describe my feelings," Simone Blum said. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

The individual medallists at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 met the press on Sunday afternoon in Tryon, sharing their experiences from the last five days. 

Gold medallist Simone Blum: 

 

~ On being World Champion ~

“I am so grateful to be here, I cannot describe my feelings – it is unbelievable (...) It was the perfect day.”

 

~ On Alice ~

“Alice jumped great the whole week; all rounds very good and had no faults throughout. She is so careful, she is always fighting, and she has the biggest heart. I think this week she knew that she could win the hearts of this world. I think she really wanted this win today, she felt so great and she jumped her heart out for me.”

 

~ On nerves at her first World Championship ~

“I was not quite nervous the last days because Alice gave me such a good feeling, but today I was a little bit nervous. But, actually when I am in the course I am very focused. I know that if I am good, Alice normally never takes a pole and that is why I had a really good feeling. I thought Martin had a really good round, and I tried to do it the same.”

 Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson “Two Swiss riders are special but having what is like another brother next to me is even more special," said Steve Guerdat about sharing the podium with Martin Fuchs. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

Silver medallist Martin Fuchs: 

 

~ On the silver medal ~

“It is a great feeling to be on the podium, like my two colleagues here riding the best horses in the world. We were missing a championship medal. This year, it started really good as we took a five-star Grand Prix win in Basel. Then unfortunately Clooney had colic surgery. He recovered really well from that, but it was an emotional year. I am really happy he came back and that he feels better than ever before.”

 

~ On the final ~

“I had a really good feeling with Clooney throughout the championship, also today in the warm-up he felt great before going into the final round. I did not think too much about the time allowed, because I knew it did not matter too much as Simone was quite a few points ahead so I could take my time and still be in front of Steve. He felt great through the whole course, he felt brilliant.”

 

~ About dropping out of the team medals on Friday ~

“Without being arrogant I think we deserve this after being so unlucky on Friday!”

Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson "I am so proud of her, and so happy that today the world can see how special she really is," Steve Guerdat said about Bianca. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

Bronze medallist Steve Guerdat: 

 

~ On Bianca ~ 

“We had a few championships where I thought she jumped better than any others horse, but we kept having one down. I have always gone home a bit disappointed, because I wanted to give her the medal she really deserves (…) She was jumping amazing since the beginning of the week, she touched two fences the whole week that came down in the Nations Cup so I tried to keep it together today. I am so proud of her, and so happy that today the world can see how special she really is (…) She has all the quality in the world, but what is most amazing with her is that she loves jumping and she loves what she has to do. Every time she sees a jump she does not just want to jump it, but she flies over it and she gives a feeling that I cannot describe. It is so rare that you can jump classes like this and actually at the same time get this kind of feeling and enjoy so much. She is just very special, and I am so honoured and blessed to share my life with her – with an animal like this.”

 

~ On having two Swiss riders on the podium ~ 

“Two Swiss riders are special but having what is like another brother next to me is even more special. I think everybody knows that I am the son of Philippe Guerdat and I have an amazing family and an amazing brother, but everybody also knows how special the Fuchs-family is to me. We train together, we are neighbours, we talk every day. They are my second family and they treat me like I am their third son, so it really makes it as special as it can get.”

 

~ About whether or not he would have preferred to have the horse rotation at this year’s World Equestrian Games ~ 

“When you see the four top horses, it would have been nice. But I think it is right, the best pair has won. This sport is about the partnership between a rider and horse, and that is why I think it is right like this.”

 

~  On the World Equestrian Games format vs, individual jumping championships ~ 

“It is so difficult for the organizer to get everything right, I think it is only Aachen that can do that. My opinion is, it does not have to be like this, it has to be fair for the organiser. And that we don’t scare the organizer or that we lose them. It is not like there is a queue wanting to organize a WEG event, and maybe it is better that three or four different organisers can concentrate on one or two specific disciplines and make the best out of it and not make an average of each."

 


Text and photo © World of Showjumping

No reproduction without permission



This photo has been added to your cart !

Your shopping cart »
This website is using cookies for statistics, site optimization and retargeting purposes. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website. Read more here.