Steve Guerdat – 2023 European Champion, Sabina Cartossi – the owner of Guerdat's championship mount Dynamix de Bélhème (Snaike de Blondel x Cornet Obolensky, bred by Frederic Aimez) as well as the 2023 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final-winner Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly x Djalisco Du Guet, bred by Laurent and Gabrielle Vincent), and Michel Sorg – former Swiss Chef d'Equipe and current CEO of Swiss Equestrian, were all awarded with the Swiss Equestrian Golden Badges of Honour at the 2024-edition of Longines CHI Classics Basel on Friday evening. 

“Thanks to talented riders like Steve Guerdat and thanks to generous horse owners like Sabina Cartossi, we experience unforgettable emotions in our unique sport," Damian Müller, President of Swiss Equestrian, said during a ceremony at St. Jakobshalle. "Only in our sport are humans and animals a true team. And only as a team are outstanding achievements such as a European championship title possible.”

As a surprise, Michel Sorg – who from August 2020 to December 2023 was Swiss Chef d’Equipe and who took over the role as the CEO of Swiss Equestrian in October last year – was met by a group of Swiss riders in the arena and received the Swiss Equestrian Golden Badge of Honour for his achievements, such as the team gold medal at the 2021 European Championships, during his term as Chef d'Equipe. 

“It was an incredible time as Chef d'Equipe. I experienced so many emotions and unforgettable moments," Sorg said in a press release from Swiss Equestrian. "I had a wonderful team around me that was like a big family: The riders, the grooms, the horse owners. But I would also like to thank my family, who always stood behind me and supported me. I am pleased to be able to continue to accompany the team from a distance and am convinced that Peter van der Waaij will do an excellent job as my successor."