World of Showjumping
World of ShowjumpingWorld of Showjumping
Menu

Inside CHI Geneva 2021: With Live Contender Martin Fuchs

Monday, 13 December 2021
CHI Geneva 2021

Martin Fuchs wins the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva and becomes the new Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender

Photo © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei. Photo © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof.

 

Press release from the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

 


 

The world watched on in anticipation, as the final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of 2021 – the Rolex Grand Prix – played out at CHI Geneva in Switzerland, with 16 out of the world’s current top 20-ranked riders each staking their claim for a distinguished place in equestrian history. The culmination of four days of the highest level of show jumping, the Rolex Grand Prix would be decided over one round and a jump-off, should more than one rider go clear. 

Representing 15 nations, the international field of 40 horse and rider combinations included the esteemed winners of the year’s previous three Majors: Max Kühner from Austria (winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters); Swiss Steve Guerdat (winner of the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’); and Daniel Deusser from Germany (winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen). As Live Contender, Deusser would settle for nothing less than victory in order to keep his Rolex Grand Slam journey alive, while Kühner and Guerdat would be looking to trigger the ‘two out of four’ bonus, which they were both in contention for. 

As well as Deusser and Guerdat, Rolex was represented in CHI Geneva’s headline class by a further six of the world’s very best equestrian athletes, including Harry Charles (GBR), Bertram Allen (IRL), Martin Fuchs (SUI), Kent Farrington (USA), Kevin Staut (FRA), Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping champion, Scott Brash (GBR),and the Swiss watch brand’s longest-serving equestrian Testimonee, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA). 

After a little over an hour, none of the first 23 partnerships to tackle the 14-obstacle, 18-effort test were able to go clear, with the majority struggling to master the course’s tricky combinations, particularly the oxer at 13a. However, that was soon to change when Ireland’s Darragh Kenny produced a faultless round, much to the delight of the well-informed crowd. Kenny’s clear was immediately emulated by local rider, Swiss hero Martin Fuchs, who cleared the final vertical to rapturous applause. Co-designed by Swiss Gérard Lachat and Louis Konickx from The Netherlands, the course then claimed the scalps of a trio of top-level riders, including Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender, Daniel Deusser, reigning Olympic Individual champion, Ben Maher and three-time winner of CHI Geneva’s Rolex Grand Prix, Steve Guerdat. The opening day’s winner of the Trophée de Genève, American Kent Farrington, was once again on top form, immaculately negotiating the course with his 15-year-old mare, Gazelle, and booking his place in the jump-off. After another handful of combinations were unable to go clear, it was Major winner at this year’s Dutch Masters, Max Kühner, and his brilliant 10-year-old gelding, Elektric Blue P, who made no mistake, ensuring they were still in the running for the non-consecutive ‘two out of four’ bonus. Representation in the jump-off from the United States was soon doubled when Laura Kraut and Baloutinue crossed the finish line without a fault. Shortly afterwards, Harrie Smolders became the final rider to go clear, and in doing so setting up a scintillating six-horse jump-off. 

First to go in the jump-off, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny became the first rider to record a double clear. Next up, Martin Fuchs and his nine-year-old, Leone Jei made it two out of two, comfortably beating Kenny into second place by nearly two seconds in a time of 41.54 seconds. Kent Farrington looked as though he would make it three out of three; however, after a typically blistering round, he was denied the honour after putting down the final Rolex vertical. Despite going double clear, Max Kühner was unable to knock Martin Fuchs off top spot after the Austrian finished 0.68 seconds off the pace. With Laura Kraut putting two fences down, Fuchs’ destiny would lie in the hands of last to go, 41-year-old Harrie Smolders; however, the Dutchman fell agonisingly short, eventually finishing in second place, just 0.23 seconds off the time of 2021 Rolex Grand Prix champion and the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender, Martin Fuchs. 

On his special and hugely talented nine-year-old gelding, Leone Jei, Fuchs, commented: “Leone Jei is very unique in the qualities that he has. The way that he jumps – he does it so lightly and effortlessly, which is impressive to see in a nine-year-old horse. He is very good in his head, he is so motivated, and he always wants to do his best, so I really appreciate having a horse like that in my stable and being able to look forward to the future together.”

 


 

Rider interview with: Martin Fuchs

Photo © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof Martin Fuchs. Photo © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof.

Is there a young horse that you have that you think could be a future Rolex Grand Prix horse? 

It is always difficult to say, but I do have a few rally nice five-, six- and seven-year olds. I have big hopes for all of them and I hope one or two will turn out to be Grand Prix horses and compete here at the CHI Geneva in the future. Just like tennis and golf, show jumping now has its very own Grand Slam. 

Which other sporting Majors do you love to watch? 

I enjoy watching tennis. As a Swiss, Rolex Testimonee Roger Federer is a big sporting idol, so I have followed tennis a lot. All four of the tennis Grand Slams are very exciting and for me Wimbledon is the top one that I love to watch. 

What does the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping mean to you? 

For riders, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the most special and unique competition that there is because it brings together the best four shows in the world into one series, and it is a dream to win one of them. All riders work extremely hard to one day win one of the Rolex Grand Slam Majors.

For you, what makes a great team? 

In show jumping and horse riding in general, you really need a huge team around you, that can help you with everything. So much work, time and passion goes into caring for the horses. I am very lucky with my family, as they are so supportive. I have a lot of good people around me and a good team, who all take great care of the horses at home to ensure they feel their best. This allows me to be able to solely focus on the sport and when I am at the shows – it means I do not worry about anything at home.  

If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take? 

A book, water and my mobile phone.

 


 

In the owner's lounge with: Luigi Baleri, owner of Clooney 51

Photo © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof Luigi Baleri, owner of Clooney 51. Photo © Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof.

How does the process work with you and the Fuchs family?

The way I see it is that they decide on all things relating to the horse. Sometimes Martin will come to me saying, “There is this show, do you think we should go?”, but he needs to make the decision himself, as I trust him with the horses more than anyone. I really like this process because I can rely on the Fuchs family because they are the best in their domain. 

What’s your proudest moment as an owner? 

There is not a particular moment. I am lucky enough to have won a medal in almost all championships and Majors, so for that reason it is impossible to choose. I like to say that the last win is always the best win, because it pushes you to get another one. I am always proud to see Martin win, from a regional championship to the top level of our sport. If you force me to choose one, of course I will tend to say the victory in 2019 in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva, because of the way it happened: the last line, being in front of the best riders in the world, and the fact that it was a home win. 

What does the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping mean to you? 

To me, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping represents the ultimate challenge for a horse, and it cannot get any better than this. It makes me think of Formula One, which brings a very particular type of excitement. The Rolex Grand Slam demands preparation and focus, and that you need to be detail-oriented – all of this transcends the values of Rolex as a company.

When you met Martin Fuchs? 

One day I was in training with Thomas, and he asked me to do five strides between two obstacles, but I couldn’t do it, so he said that even a child was able to do it. I didn’t believe him, so he brings a kid to show me. Obviously that kid succeeded, so I said, “he might be lucky”, so he tried again and he did it brilliantly. Then he told me “I can do it 10 times if you want”, and that kid was Martin Fuchs. It’s at that exact moment that I said to myself that I need to buy horse not for myself, but for him.

 


 

About the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus on top of the class’s prize-money. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1million bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is €500,000 or if an athlete wins only 2 majors in a period of four successive shows, the bonus is €250,000.



This photo has been added to your cart !

Your shopping cart »
This website is using cookies for statistics, site optimization and retargeting purposes. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website. Read more here.