From Plantation to Podium: Felix Vogg Makes Swiss History

Felix Vogg has etched his name deeper into eventing history, riding Cartania to victory at Maryland CCI5*, marking Felix's 40th international win.

Felix’s win surprised a few of us - myself and his pre-competition win chance of 5% included. A lot of the pre and mid-event narrative focused elsewhere: hometown hero Boyd Martin, Britain's Alex Bragg, and the thoroughbred trio of Artist, Phelps, and Humble Glory that had everyone talking. While the headlines swirled around a number of other combinations, Felix Vogg simply went about his business. He delivered in all three phases while others fell by the wayside... or just fell off... or the poles just fell...

Felix delivered from start to finish: an accurate dressage test, an efficient cross-country round, and of course, their tidy showjumping round. In Maryland's fifth year of running, Felix joins an exclusive hall of fame which has five different riders from five different nations.

A Swiss Eventing Milestone

Vogg's Maryland triumph makes him the only Swiss rider to claim two five-star wins. His first came aboard Colero at Luhmühlen in 2022, making him the first Swiss rider to win at the five-star level since Hans Schwarzenbach's Badminton victory in 1951 - a staggering 71-year gap.

The win also marks the first Swiss victory on US soil since records began in 2008. And before you ask - yes, there have been plenty of attempts. Since 2008, there have been 40 Swiss starts in the US and Felix himself even gave it a good go during his time based Stateside.

The numbers behind Swiss riders at 5* point to one thing: Vogg's dominance. He has accounted for 16 of the 41 starts made by Swiss riders at CCI5* level (including Olympics and World Championships) since 2008 - an impressive 40% of all Swiss five-star attempts. Those 41 starts represent 13 different Swiss riders, including Felix's brother Ben Vogg, who competed alongside Felix on the 2016 Rio Olympic Team.

Full Circle: From Plantation to Podium

Cartania, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Phoenix Eventing S.à.r.l., has been Vogg's partner since 2018. Their journey began seven years ago when she was just seven years old - and it started in the United States.

Their first international together was at Plantation Field in a CCI2*-S, where they jumped double clear to finish fourth. After two events that autumn, the pair returned to Europe and spent the next seven years competing across another eight countries. 

The US didn't see Cartania again until she returned last weekend - coming full circle to claim victory.

The Bitless Breakthrough

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this victory was Vogg’s showjumping round which he rode Cartania in a hackamore for. Since switching after a dental issue earlier in the year, Cartania has now jumped three clears from three attempts.

Given that in Cartania’s previous seven long-format runs at top level she had only jumped clear once, Vogg’s chances looked slim — just 24% compared to Monica Spencer’s 73% going into the showjumping. But the timing of the switch to a bitless bridle couldn’t have been better. That clear round on the final day sealed the deal. 

It was the missing piece. And when Vogg gets it right, he really gets it right - from 16 career 5* starts, Felix has jumped clear only twice… and won both times.

A New Era for Swiss Eventing

Vogg's victory comes amid an exciting period for Swiss eventing. At the recent European Championships, the Swiss team held third place after a brilliant cross-country day featuring particularly fast rounds from Mélody Johner and Nadja Minder, coached by the legendary Andrew Nicholson. Though showjumping ultimately dropped them from medal contention (dare I suggest a hackamore?!), the performance is evidence of the growing strength in the Swiss program. 

With Vogg's historic achievement on American soil and new riders pushing through, Swiss eventing appears poised for its brightest era in over 70 years.

40? 

Did you notice the reccurrence of the number 40? Coincidentally, this was Felix’s 40th international win, achieved on his and Cartania’s 40th start together, and as if that weren’t enough, it was also the 40th Swiss start on US soil since records began in 2008.
(Felix, if only we could age you a few years to 40 - the symmetry would be perfect.)

Listen to the 'Maryland Review Show' on the Eventing Podcast. Supported by Dubarry of Ireland.

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