WORLD number eight, Swiss rider Steve Guerdat, has announced that he will be out of the saddle for the foreseeable future as he recuperates following back surgery - his second back operation this year.

A herniated disc led to the 43-year-old rider having emergency surgery in February, followed by a break from riding while he recovered. Guerdat was back competing in May, but experienced a reoccurrence while jumping at Dinard in July. He persevered and competed at the Brussels Stephex Masters in August, followed by the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ at the start of September, where he and Venard de Cerisy finished third in the five-star 1.60m CPKC International presented by Rolex.