Just as expected for the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, the fences were huge.

Max Kühner and Elektric Blue P were first out of the 12 horse-and-rider combinations moving on to the second round. The two delivered a great clear round, adding nothing to their score of four faults from the first round.

The quickest four-faulters from the first round were Richard Vogel and United Touch S, who could celebrate a clear in the second round.

Vogel and United Touch S pushed the time in round two as well, which resulted in the two placing 6th as the fastest pair on four faults.

Juan Manuel Gallego thanking Fee des Sequoias Z after a job well done. The two added eight faults to their previous one time fault from the first round.

Tim Gredley and Medoc de Toxandria jumping into the difficult line at 7a&b to 8.

Tim Gredley celebrating a clear in the second round, leaving him one one time penalty, and 5th overall.

A clear in the second round for Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy, left them on only one time fault from the first round...

...where they were 0.09 seconds over the time allowed. The two finished 4th.

Upon leaving the ring, Guerdat gave his compatriot and friend Martin Fuchs some last advice about the course.

Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei solved all the questions asked also in the second round, and were the first to deliver a double clear. “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," Fuchs said about the 12-year-old gelding.

As next to go Yuri Mansur and QH Alfons Santo Antonio ended the second round on four faults dropping down the result list to eventually finish 9th.

Darragh Kenny and VDL Cartello also delivered a double clear to secure a jump-off.

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly had to see a pole hit the ground during their second round, after being clear in round one.

In the end they had to settle for 8th place.

As last to go, Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM made sure it would be a jump-off of three.

Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei were first out in the jump-off. With an early rail, all Fuchs could do was to wait and see if Kenny or Deusser could do better.

Next out Darragh Kenny and VDL Cartello also had to see a pole hit the ground, plus add two time faults due to the very short time allowed, to end the jump-off on a total of six penalties.

"I kind of knew going in that he is not the fastest horse in the world, 17 years old, and this is my first time jumping this Grand Prix. I thought that if I was smart and went quick enough without taking too much risk that it could work out. Unfortunately, I had the third jump down and really didn’t expect that since he was jumping so good. Then I went as fast as I could but I was too slow already," Kenny explained.

When Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM hit a pole as the last pair out in the jump-off, the heat was definitely on.

Deusser went flat out in his attempt to catch Fuchs' time, which he managed...

.. but with the bricks on the last fence falling, he finished the jump-off on eight faults and had to settle for third.

“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!” Fuchs said.

"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," Fuchs said after his back-to-back win.