The equestrian world faced a major shock and loss recently. Considered one of the best show jumpers in the world, Lesley McNaught-Mändli passed away on December 26, 2023, at the age of 59. With a major contribution to the sport, including an Olympic medal, she was the best of the best in the 1990s and 2000s. Her passing away sent grief waves through the community, and the president of Swiss Equestrian gave a heartfelt tribute to the late legend.

President of the Swiss equestrian pays heartfelt condolences

In an Instagram story, the president of the Swiss Equestrian, Damian Müller posted a picture of Lesley McNaught alongside white lilies and wrote, “Es ist ein riesiger Schock für die grosse Pferdesportfamilie und für Swiss Equestrian. Lesley McNaught war eine Ausnahmereiterin und eine Frau, die sich mit Herz und Seele für ihren Sport, die Pferde und die Reiterinnen und Reiter des Teams einsetzte. Sie hinterlässt eine grosse Lüdke. Wir drücken ihrer Familie und ihren Freunden unser herzliches Beileid aus.”

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This translates to “It’s a huge shock to the big equestrian family and Swiss Equestrian. Lesley McNaught was an exceptional equestrian and woman who put her heart and soul into her sport, horses and the team’s riders. She leaves a big gap. We express our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.” This endearing message by Damian Müller shed light on the impact McNaught had on the equestrian world.

The contribution of Lesley McNaught

During the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Lesley McNaught won Olympic silver in show jumping atop Dulf Z as part of the Swiss squad. Before this, she even clinched the bronze medal at the European Championship at Hickstead in 1999. In the years 1991 and 2005, she also claimed the title of Swiss champion in show jumping. If that wasn’t enough, she represented her country at not one but three world championships, four European championships, and seven World Cup finals.

Over the past three years, she had dedicated herself to nurturing the next generation of athletes, serving as a jumping coach for the Swiss elite riders. Lesley McNaught’s teaching success extended to the Swiss eventing riders, who earned a team qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Due to respect for her family, no information about her passing was made available by the Swiss Equestrian Association. Her loss will undoubtedly be deeply felt by the community as her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched.

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