April 30, 2024 
Steve Guerdat was on edge heading into Sunday’s CSI5* GL Events Grand Prix in Fountainbleau, France—and unusually so.
“I was nervous at the start, more than I had been for a long time,” confessed the world no. 3.
But it wasn’t the daunting task of mastering a 1.60m course or the watchful eyes of Olympic selectors weighing on his mind. It was his recent performance history with Dynamix de Belheme.
“At ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Dynamix and I jumped really well on the Friday, but then I didn’t get things right on the Sunday; she hasn’t taken part in any competitions since, so I was left with that memory, which is why I was nervous.”
For context: they had a rail in the Rolex Grand Prix at ‘s-Hertogenbosch. As in, one.
If the Swiss Olympic champion was feeling deja vu in the warm up ring that week in France, it was warranted. He and the 11-year-old Selle Français mare also jumped great at Les Printemps des Sports Equestre on Friday, posting an efficient clear to finish fourth in the 1.55m speed course.
Come Sunday’s do-over though he got things right. The pair jumped double clear to top a three-horse jump off set by Santiago Varela Ullastres and Grégory Bodo by half a second. Guerdat and his 2023 European Championship individual gold winning partner stopped the clock in 39.28 seconds. Runners up Aurélien Leroy (FRA) and Croqsel de Blaignac did it in 39.91.
“She’s in great form. She had a long break after Geneva last year, then competed in a few small events in Spain at the start of the year, before taking part in the ‘s-Hertogenbosch competition and then had another rest,” said Guerdat.
“It’s fair to say that she surprised me this weekend. I wasn’t expecting her to be so dynamic; I thought she was still one or two competitions away from reaching top form. It gives us confidence for the rest of the season.”‘
Confidence is something the mare has long delivered, he continued.
“Dynamix has shown consistency since she started competing. She’s always been perfect, always jumped clear rounds in every age category and class.”
How perfect? Over 210 total rounds since 2019, the mare averages just 1.5 faults, according to Jumpr Stats.
At age 6, Dynamix was jumping up to 1.30m and clear at a 75% clip. By age 10, it was 72% up to 1.60m (Jumpr).
So while Guerdat may have been having a moment of doubt, the stats suggest he need not worry.
“She has some great qualities and made things easy for me as a rider on this really enjoyable course.”
