History 1999

The 12th CSI March 25-28th took a slightly different turn.
With Rolf Theiler falling ill, they needed a new director of sports. Markus Fuchs took on this position with full responsibility as participant & organizer in one. He had success, the complete elite was participating. After 1995 & 1997 Markus could win the Gold Cup with one kilo of gold for the most successful rider at CSI Zurich.

The world’s best indoor tournament was now embedded into a stock corporation. With the founding of the stock corporation the initiators, Rolf & Urs Theiler expanded the executive board of directors. The two new members of the board are the initiators of Art on Ice - the former figure skater Oliver Höner and Reto Caviezel. The objective of this collaboration was the development of CSI & exploitation of synergies to Art on Ice which also takes place at Hallenstadion. Rolf Theiler explains. "This step is the logical consequence of the date difficulties we were faced with last year. From now on CSI will take place in February."

This year’s event was totally dedicated to the joy of life: Carnival de Rio, with 250 Samba school members “Beija-Flor” entertained 42,600 spectators spectacularly!
The hallenstadion was transformed by the “Queen of Samba schools” into a carnival, and paid homage to Brazilian showjumping World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa.

Rodrigo showed his gratitude in the dedication of the first two challenges to him. The Brazilian, who won the opening challenge the day before also won on the 2nd day with his French mare, Bianca d’Amaury. He subsequently won the 2nd jump-off of the Swiss Masters. On Sunday, the main challenge of 250,000 Sfr, the UBS Trophy was surprisingly won by Geoff Billington (UK) on his gelding It’s Otto. Beat Mändli, the only Swiss to reach the jump-off was 4th with Pozitano. The German, Franke Sloothaak won the Grand Prix on Thursday with Walzerkönig. Willi Melliger, no.1 in world ranking was 3rd with Calvaro behind Ludo Phillippaerts with Nura.