Peter van der Waaij – Team Assistant for the Dutch jumping squad since the beginning of 2022 – has been appointed Head of Squad and Chef d’Equipe of the Swiss jumping team, taking over the position from Michel Sorg as of 1st January 2024, the Swiss Equestrian Federation announced today. Thomas Fuchs and Daniel Etter remain in their respective roles as coach and deputy Chef d’Equipe, while Sorg will move on to his new role as the CEO of the Swiss Equestrian Federation. 

"I have already met many of the Swiss team members at the international shows in the last few years and have followed their performances," the 29-year-old said in a press release from the Swiss Equestrian Federation. "Getting to know the national equestrian scene in Switzerland even better is important to me. That is why I will be in Switzerland on a regular basis to be in personal contact with the organizers and athletes. I am very excited to work with the Swiss team, which is one of the best in the world. But I am also aware of the great responsibility that this task entails. I am convinced that together as a team with the riders and their horses, the entire staff, the owners, and grooms, we will represent Switzerland at the very top of the world."

Michel Sorg will oversee the Swiss elite team until the end of the year and will use the coming weeks to hand over the reins to Peter van der Waaij.