Léon Pieyre: “I’m proud to represent Switzerland”
A promising young rider and member of the CHI Geneva’s Sport and Entertainment Commission and its Centenary Committee, Léon Pieyre is set to make his third appearance in the U-25 competitions at Palexpo. For the 23-year-old Geneva rider, it is an opportunity to proudly fly his country’s flag and follow in the footsteps of his idols.
“We’re lucky in Switzerland to have riders like Steve Guerdat, Martin Fuchs and Édouard Schmitz representing us because they’ve shown us the way and achieved some superb results,” says the young rider, who is dreaming of an equally prestigious career. “Aside from my equestrian commitments, I’m also studying international relations,” he adds. “My dream would be to turn professional. It’s not an easy route to take and it’s not for everyone, but I know I can do it. When I was learning the ropes as a rider, I rode for Switzerland at youth level, from the age of 13 to 21, and I was lucky enough to take part in Nations Cups in each age category. It gave me a taste for representing my country, something I’m proud to do. I’ve always been very patriotic.”
Pieyre acquired his passion for all things equestrian at a very early age, thanks to his mother and older sister being keen riders. He was only five when he first slipped his foot through a stirrup, “just to try it out”. Though he also enjoyed kicking a ball around at the time, he felt a very strong connection with horses and by the time he was ten, when he was given his first pony and started competing, jumping became his sport of choice. And that’s the way things have stayed. Continuing to pursue her love for horses, his mother moved the family to an equestrian facility, the Renfile stables in Jussy, which organised a national competition this year.
Since the age of 12, Pieyre has devoted himself to his studies and his passion, spending more and more time with his mounts. Among them is Vérona V Z, THE mare that has done more than any other to help the Geneva rider compete in big events, climb the ranks and savour the joys of the team events that he loves so much. She has already partnered him at two U-25 events at Palexpo with a third set to come at this year’s CHI Geneva on the back of some fine results. “Things went well in 2022 and 2023 but we still picked up four faults,” he recalls. “I hope to make the jump-off this time and maybe even win the U-25 Grand Prix on the Saturday.”
Aside from Vérona V Z, who has been with him for five years now, Pieyre can also call on the services of a talented new recruit, Hopeful de Blondel, who came on board at the start of the year, and a number of other horses entrusted to him by their owners.
Though it remains to be seen if he can make the professional ranks, the youngster is not afraid to dream: “Representing Switzerland one day at a major international championship would be amazing. But for me personally, and it’s no doubt because I’m from Geneva, taking part in the CSI 5* at Palexpo and the Rolex Grand Prix on the Sunday in particular, would be the ultimate achievement.”
As he waits to see what the future has in store for him, Pieyre has thrown himself into the organisation of the CHI Geneva. A member of the event’s Sport and Entertainment Commission, which is chaired by CHIG Director of Sport Alban Poudret, he is involved in selecting competitions and discussions on rider invitations. “When Michel Sorg stepped up to become the CEO of Swiss Equestrian, the CHI Geneva Organising Committee replaced him with not one but several people, including Elisa Oltra, an equestrian journalist at Cavalier Romand, and me,” Pieyre explains. “It’s interesting for me to be involved in the organisation of an event like this. I get to see things from the inside, but as a rider who has also competed in the arena I can bring a different viewpoint to the Organising Committee.”
Pieyre takes the role seriously and also sits on the Sport and Entertainment Commission committee preparing for next year’s CHI Geneva centenary: “Without giving anything away, it’s a commitment that takes up quite a bit of time. We’ve met several times this year already to discuss it and we really hope to lay on an incredible centenary edition.” In the meantime, the 23-year-old has his sights firmly set on putting his name on the honours board in his age category. Let’s see if he can do it.
Sophie Lebeuf
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