BACK TO BACK VICTORY FOR MARTIN FUCHS

The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament – the third Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year – once again played host to one of the toughest competitions in the sport, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Held in the iconic International Ring, the world’s most elite horse-and-rider combinations were all hoping to etch their names into the history books as they pursued one of the most coveted titles in the sport.

The field included the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, André Thieme, as well as the winners from the last three editions of the class: Martin Fuchs (2023), Daniel Deusser (2022), and Steve Guerdat (2021).

Following the same format as the previous Major held at the CHIO Aachen, the class consisted of two rounds and a jump-off. In total, 38 combinations started in the first round, with the top 12 proceeding into the second round. Those tied after this would then take on the challenge of the jump-off against the clock to decide the final placings.

First to tackle Leopoldo Palacios’ typically huge and daring course was Brazil’s Yuri Mansur, who secured a clear round inside the time allowed. The course provided a suitable challenge for this world-class group of riders, and it wasn’t until the eleventh to go, Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser, that the crowd was treated to another clear round. The time proved a challenge for numerous riders, with Steve Guerdat, Tim Gredley, and Juan Manuel Gallego all collecting just one painstaking time penalty. At the halfway point, there were just four clears, including one from team gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ben Maher. This meant that those with time penalties or quick four-fault rounds could remain in contention for a place in the second round.

Of the remaining 18 riders, only last year’s winner, Martin Fuchs, could add his name to the exclusive list of clears who would carry no penalties to forward. It was not meant to be for the live contender, André Thieme, as two fences fell, ending the German’s quest to become only the second rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The Canadian crowd was also disappointed not to see a home victory as neither Tiffany Foster nor Erynn Ballard qualified for the next round.

As the second round of the class was built, the CEO and President of Spruce Meadows, Linda Southern-Heathcott, announced the exciting news that next year the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, would have an increased prize fund totalling CAD 5 million in honour of 50 years of international competition at the venue.

Max Kühner, first to go in the second round, added no penalties to his score of four faults and set the standard for the following riders, as did Rolex’s newest equestrian Testimonee, Richard Vogel, with the sensational stallion, United Touch S. Britain’s Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria were another combination to leave all of the fences standing, and in doing so, remained on just a single time fault from the initial round, as did Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat.

Martin Fuchs produced the first double clear of the day, with Ireland’s Darragh Kenny quickly following suit, meaning that the sold-out crowd would be treated to a jump-off. Both Yuri Mansur and Ben Maher had one pole apiece; however, last to go, Daniel Deusser, secured a clear and proceeded to the shortened course.

With the riders returning in the same order in which they jumped in the previous round, it was Martin Fuchs who was first to return to the sunbathed arena. Fuchs and the striking grey gelding, Leone Jei, set the pace in an impressive time of 40.22 seconds, but he collected just four faults. Kenny could not match the pace set by Fuchs, with one pole and two faults. The pressure was therefore on the 2021 winner to deliver a clear, but two fences fell, meaning it was Fuchs who claimed back-to-back titles. Additionally, this now means that Leone Jei is the first horse to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major at the same venue.

Speaking on his win, Fuchs stated: “To be honest, I am a little bit shocked and surprised to win – you don’t expect to win when you have two of the best riders behind you. Today really was my day, and so I am very happy. It was hard to be the first into the jump-off; the wait was incredibly nerve-wracking!”

The Swiss rider continued: “Leone Jei is an incredible horse, and he has such an amazing jump. He always performs so well in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors – he is an unreal partner to have. The courses that we jump here are some of the toughest in the world; they really challenge the riders and the horses. You need to be 100% focused and confident, as well as have the courage to jump these impressive fences to be able to win here. I love coming here – it is a very special place to me.”

(Photo: Rolex Grand Slam/Tiffany Van Halle)