The CHIG’s very own winning team
The CHI Geneva office is staffed by a superb all-female team that has acquired a reputation for being friendly, approachable and tightly knit. Firmly committed to doing their job well, they are Frédérique de Lint, Pauline Weill, Hortense Fabre and Nadja Burkhardt. Together, they are responsible for the organisation and administration of the event, working as one to ensure that everything goes perfectly when the doors open to the public.
“I always get emotional whenever there’s a big moment at the event and the stands are full, the lights are blazing and the music starts blaring,” says Frédérique, a former competitive rider and CHIG office manager since 2021.
“That’s when you realise that every little piece of the puzzle we’ve been putting together for the last year fits in perfectly,” adds Nadja. “It’s an amazing feeling.” Nadja works just four months a year at the CHI Geneva office, from September through to January, while her three colleagues are employed all year round.
Hortense has the most specific job description of the four, taking care of sponsors and partnerships, with the rest doing whatever else needs to be done. “We try to be as understanding and as versatile as we can in doing our job,” explains Frédérique, whose many duties include taking care of administration, sport (along with Alban Poudret, the event’s director of sport), the national events, the Jockey Club, and the forums.
Pauline, who came on board as an intern in 2022 before going full-time, oversees digital communications (social media and the official website), volunteers, Children’s Day (which takes place on the Thursday of the event), Kids’ Corner, and most recently of all, the reception areas.
Last but not least, Nadja, who has been part of the team since 2023, takes care of transport for the riders, accommodation, TV rights, and the event roadbook, which is the minute-by-minute daily schedule covering all CHI Geneva events and activities.
All four are on duty when the event gets under way, when they also have to manage their teams of volunteers, attend to a whole host of queries and requests, and solve any problem that might come up. “The office is a bit like a control tower,” they explain. “Whenever someone has a question, they pop in to see us,” It’s easy to see why. A welcoming and friendly place, it is staffed by people who are professional and conscientious. This year, the four equestrian fanatics have the valuable assistance of an intern, Alicia Mader, who will do her bit to ensure the event passes off successfully, a job that for them is all about passion, magic and prestige.
Sophie Lebeuf
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