Geraldine Straumann: Climbing her way to the top with the Swiss Senior Team

In the world of elite show jumping, Geraldine Straumann has emerged as one of Switzerland’s brightest young talents. With a powerful blend of natural ability, dedication, and deep-rooted passion for horses, she has quickly ascended from promising junior to a key member of the Swiss national team. Over the past few years, she has made her mark on the international scene, riding in Nations Cups and prestigious five-star events around the globe. But behind the spotlight and accolades lies a story grounded in family, perseverance, and love for the sport.

A Heritage of Horses and a Sister’s Inspiration

For Geraldine, the path into equestrian sport wasn’t a matter of if—but when. Born into a family immersed in horses, it was almost inevitable. “My family has always been in horses, already on my father’s side,” she recalls. But it was her sister Flaminia, a successful competitor herself, who truly ignited the spark. “I came mostly through it to my sister, Flaminia, who was also competing to the highest level. We went a lot of times to watch her at shows, and there I really fell in love with the sport.”

Yet her bond with horses began even earlier—long before the competition arena called. “I was connected since a long time, just being around in the stables. That’s where the love for horses in the first place came from.”

Milestones Along the Way

Geraldine’s journey through the ranks of children, juniors, and young riders has been marked by consistent excellence. But a few standout moments shine brightest. “There were many very nice ones, for sure,” she says. “The silver medal at the Junior Europeans with the team in Vilamoura, with my horse Silver Surfer, was very special.” Another cherished memory was making her senior Nations Cup debut. “Jumping the first senior Nations Cup in Calgary last year was very impressive. It was just a great experience.”

Learning From the Best

As she continues to rise, Geraldine finds herself surrounded by some of the most respected names in the sport—Swiss legends like Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat. Far from intimidating, the atmosphere within the national team has been deeply supportive. “I obviously look very much up to them because we have an incredible team—not just from a riding perspective, but also from a human perspective,” she explains. “They’re very supportive and give you a really confident feeling when you come as a newcomer into the scene.”

Behind the Scenes: Training and Trust

Much of Geraldine’s progress is rooted in her training environment. Under the guidance of Andreas Schou, Christian Schou, and Lars Pedersen, she has learned to approach her career with patience and belief. “They’ve taught me to trust the plan,” she says. “Even if sometimes it doesn’t go like it’s supposed to, you should still not worry too much and just keep working on it.”

Riding on the Global Stage

Beyond representing her country, Geraldine is also part of the Global Champions League, now in her second year. After riding for the Istanbul Warriors last season, she now competes with the Basel Cosmopolitans—a team that hits especially close to home. “It’s nice to ride for the home city, as I come from Basel,” she shares. “We have a really cool team together, a mix of different riders.”

These high-caliber competitions offer invaluable experience. “It’s a great opportunity for young riders to step up to a bigger level,” Geraldine explains. “It’s very demanding, but it really opened the door to get experience at the top level. And I was lucky enough to have the right horses to do it.”

As for her goals this season? “Certainly to bring some good results for the team and gain more experience,” she says with her characteristic calm focus.

Eyes on the European Championships

Next up for Geraldine is one of the biggest stages of her young career. She was originally scheduled to compete at the Young Riders European Championships in Riesenbeck, a significant event for any up-and-coming rider. But her progress was recognized on a larger scale: instead, she has been selected to represent Switzerland’s senior team at the FEI European Championships in La Coruña, Spain, from 15–20 July 2025.

There, she will ride alongside Swiss teammates Janika Sprunger, Nadja Peter Steiner, Steve Guerdat, and Martin Fuchs—a remarkable leap and an enormous honor.

As she heads to La Coruña, Geraldine Straumann carries with her not just a strong team and a set of ambitions, but the quiet strength of someone who has built her career on passion, patience, and a love for the horse above all else. The future looks bright for this talented rider—and at twenty years old she’s only just getting started.

Valentina Sozzi

ph Stefano Secchi

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