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Presiding over the destiny of the new Swiss Warmblood Federation is a real horseman who was ready, without hesitation, to take up this challenge.
Jean-Jacques FŸnfschilling is a farmer, dealer in pine trees, eventing rider, and a ÔcompleteÕ breeder who was attributed with ÔmakingÕ Gauguin de Lully CH. Gauguin was a brilliant ambassador for Swiss breeding; individual bronze and team silver medallist from the Olympic Games in Seoul, double winner of the World Cup dressage, under the saddle of Christine StŸckelberger, who was devoted to him until his death last year. Jean-Jacques FŸnfschilling is also a sales and competition organiser (having founded SSS - Swiss, Selection & Sales - a Swiss championship for three-year old horses) and President of the Eventing section of the ASCC. Since the time of his grandfather, himself a rider and founder of the breeding syndicate in Basle, he has always rubbed shoulders with horses.
...Q The Swiss Breeding Federation for sport horses is one year old. What has happened during that year?
We have organised ourselves. The three committees which make up our Federation - breeding, sport and marketing/ public relations - have worked on establishing new regulations and concepts which will be voted upon at our next meeting in December. In the breeding commission we must, in collaboration with the breeders, their associations and the stallion owners, first redefine the breeding goals. We must establish new rules for approving stallions and mares. Until now these have been defined by the Confederation and they are no longer responsible..
Q Would the opening of borders have a positive influence on Swiss horse breeding?
I think so. In as much as the dealers would loose their quasi-monopoly on the import market. They indeed have a very important role to play in marketing the Swiss horse. As long as they do not make their profits on the backs of the breeders. We must not forget that in Switzerland, breeding is more a passion than a way of earning oneÕs living. We should not forget all the horse lovers who have contributed to bringing Galant, Flying Shark, Wandonga, Quenelle de Chignan and others into the spotlight...