History 1988

In 1988, after the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Rolf Theiler & his brother Urs materialised an idea to organize an absolutely new showjumping event in Zurich. For this the investment value was 1,7 million SFr. The money was raised & their dream came into being for the first time in an open racecourse in Zurich-Oerlikon & stretched far beyond showjumping. Sport & Show needed to be kept in balance to add that special element of satisfaction to a wider audience.

With 500,000 Sfr the racecourse was modified & transformed into a showjumping arena. It became the centre for international showjumping, top class participants with a 5 star entertainment that attracted 21,000 spectators within 4 days.

The entertainment part, a 45 minute show by the “Royal Canadian Mounted Police”, Polo Artists from Europe & South America & Dressage Quidrille of Christine Stückelbergers were highlights at the first successful event of CSI Zurich.

Fourty equestrians participated. The European classic won the winner, German rider, Franke Sloothaak with Walzerkönig, 50,000 Sfr. second placed was French rider Philippe Rozier with Norton de Rhys, & third European champion Pierre Durand with Jappeloup de Luze. Swiss rider Markus Fuchs with Sandor at 6th position & Willi Melliger with Corso at 7th. On Saturday, the “dream team” John Whitaker with Milton won the Grand Prix, Peter Weinberg (Germany) with Gran Rock & Ludger Beerbaum (Germany) with Landlord. Best Swiss rider was Markus Mändli with Porter. Zurich never galloped better!