What do some hundred horses, Karl Lagerfeld, Percy Sledge and a Finnish jazz band have in common? Under normal circumstances, perhaps not much. But during the last few days they were all in St. Moritz; the roof of Europe, which on Sunday hosted the season’s last race day on the frozen lake. This year, Arabian horses had joined the cast to make the setting even more surreal, amidst palm trees, champagne bars and some 14,000 spectators. “When you race in St. Moritz it’s not for the money. It’s a little bit like the Olympics, with a completely different atmosphere and a unique backdrop. You’re not on the ground but in 1,900 meters altitude, with an amazing audience,” said Joachim Weissmeier, trainer of Fanal El Samawi, who won the Arabian race.

For Karl Lagerfeld, St. Moritz was a bit like the Olympics too, as he exhibited his latest art works, Fire Etchings, at the Gmurzynska, his longtime gallery for the past 17 years. “I’m a paperfreak. In fashion all collections begin on paper, just as in photography. My profession is to sketch. Whenever I have an idea I see it in three dimensions, I have a technique and then I put it on paper,” said Lagerfeld, whose images were etched into backlit glass with fire. Meanwhile, at the Kulm, a Finnish jazz band played divine tunes worthy of the late Miles Davies,while Percy Sledge performed at the Badrutt’s with a little help from his wife. When asked how a man from the deep South stays close to his roots in the Swiss mountains his answer was simple. “My fans.”  Photo Camilla Alfthan

With so much talent around at the latest edition of the Gucci Masters interviewing was a real joy as each person had a string of interesting quotes and anecdotes that reflected their individual personalities. Here are some of my favorites. For the rest, stay tuned for the up and coming Master’s magazine :

Ludger Beerbaum, the German legend on multi tasking: ”I don’t know how many horses I’ve had during the years. 250-300 when it’s just the ones I’ve been on to international competitions. The family always comes first, the horses come second. Also, I’m not in love with my horses. I like them. Some people say, I love, I love, I love….but it’s not the German way of interpretating feelings.” Christian Ahlmann + Judy-Ann Melchior, the world ranking’s number one + the showjumping mother of Leo, who was born on the inaugural day of the London Olympics: Christian : We compete against each other all the time. It doesn’t make us fight, for sure not. I think it is the only sport where women and men compete together. ” Judy-Ann : “When we’re both at the shows there’s much more chance that at least one of us was good. So when Christian was riding alone for nine months his results were terrible. But when we’re together it is always more likely that one will win.”  Reed Kessler, youngest Olympian ever on the US team: ”I’m one of those people who really likes pressure. Sometimes when there’s not a big enough atmosphere or when it’s not as important a show it can make me a little casual.”  Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, number one during ten months in 2012 : ”The ideal horse has to be with you. They must fight for themselves and the rider. They need to be brave and careful. Not too careful, so they wont take any risks, and not too brash either. They have to go out there and do the job everyday.”  Marco Kutscher, winner of the Gucci Grand Prix 2010 on his all time favorite : ”Cash. He’s the one who gave me the most victories and the most prize money. In the end, the mind of the horse is very important and he was always figthing for me. I have some other ones and we’ll see how they develop. But so far, there’s only one Cash in my life.”  Georgina Bloomberg, showjumper and novelist on never saying never: ”The last couple of years have been a bit of a struggle. But I’m not done in this sport yet, I want to give it another shot, and its going to take a little more than a few broken bones to keep me out. ”  Jean Rochefort, actor, breeder and co author of Louvre à cheval: ”In the old days, horses worked for us. Now we are trying to create a bond with them. It is this bond that you see in great performances..Equestrian art is the result of two species that find confidence in one another.”         Photos by Thierry Poussard, www.thierrypoussard.com A lasting impression : Charlotte Casiraghi’s horse at the Style & Competition class – Casiraghi’s innovative concept in which she came second with her accomplice, Edwina Tops Alexander.