Swiss Olympic show jumper Steve Guerdat announced via his website on Nov. 8 that his 2012 London Olympic Games gold medal partner Nino Des Buissonnets will retire at the CHI Geneva (Switzerland) on Dec. 11 following his last round there.
“He deserves the chance to call it a day at Palexpo, in top form,” Guerdat wrote. “I’ve thought long and hard about it since the Rio Games, and I have no doubts about my decision: Nino des Buissonnets will take his final bow at Geneva on Dec. 11. I said back in Rio that Nino wouldn’t be taking part in any more important championships, just in a few more shows.
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“He’ll be 16 soon, and competing at that age has its risks, risks that I’d rather not take as I so much want him to finish on a high note,” Guerdat continued. “He deserves the right to quit at the top of his form, at the end of a great season, in the so-special Palexpo arena. It’s the right time and place to stop.”
Guerdat paired up with the 15-year-old Selle Français gelding (Kannan—Hermine Du Prelet, Narcos I) owned by Urs E. Schwarzenbach in 2011. After winning their individual gold in the 2012 London Olympics, they were fourth individually at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They were second at both the 2012 and 2013 Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals.
