Edited press release from the Jumping Owners Club

Switzerland's Georg Kähny – owner of King Edward (Edward 28 x Feo) and Iliana (Cardento x Gentleman), ridden by Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann – has won the Longines Owner of the Year trophy for the first time. 

The award ceremony took place during the 2023-edition of Longines CHI Classics Basel, in the presence of Yanick Rossier – Longines International Sponsorship & Events Manager, and Dominique Mégret – Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club. This award, created in 2004 and approved by the FEI, illustrates the importance of recognizing the involvement of the owners in building an international career in showjumping. It is proudly supported by the Swiss watch brand Longines, which is the Official Partner of the Jumping Owners Club.

After years of supporting Janika Sprunger with top horses – including the fabulous Palloubet d'Halong (Baloubet du Rouet x Muguet du Manoir) and Bacardi VDL (Corland x Kannan) – Kähny was awarded as the owner of the year thanks to the results from King Edward, that was double gold medallist at the 2022 World Championships in Herning with Henrik von Eckermann in the saddle.  

Dominique Mégret, Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club, was very pleased with Kähny's success during the 2022-season. “Georg Kähny was still missing a real consecration as a top-level horse owner,” Dominique Mégret said. “His achievements as a top horse owner are simply outstanding! His support, like that of all the passionate owners who are members of the Jumping Owners Club, is inseparable from the success of a whole team around two athletes – the rider and his horse. As the Chairman of the JOC, I am obviously proud that one of our members sees his efforts rewarded. But above all, this performance shows how important loyalty, faith and respect is. The strong, positive and long-term relationship established between Georg, his rider and his whole team is certainly responsible for a major part of this incredible result. Building a successful long-term partnership is what every rider should aim at.”

Matthieu Baumgartner, Longines Vice President Marketing, commented: “This year again, Longines is proud to be the Official Partner of the Jumping Owners Club to recognize contributions of the most successful owner of the year at the 2022 Longines Owner of the Year award ceremony. Driven by our unrelenting commitment to excellence, we will continue to support the finest talents in showjumping and are thrilled to celebrate the achievement of Georg Kähny, the 2022 Longines Owner of the Year. On behalf of Longines, we would like to congratulate him for his accomplishments and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Ingmar de Vos, FEI President, said: “Many congratulations to Georg Kähny for winning the prestigious Longines Owner of the Year award. His support of top equestrian athletes over the years has been unfailing and tonight’s recognition is richly deserved. The achievements of the horses Iliana and especially of King Edward, the best horse of 2022, who carried Henrik von Eckermann to historic double gold for Sweden at the FEI Jumping World Championships in Herning (DEN) last summer and to Number One slot of the Longines Rankings, and who are owned by Georg Kähny, are particularly impressive. Horse owners are the unsung heroes of equestrianism and without their dedication and faith our sport would not be possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Longines for their remarkable support of excellence in equestrian sport in all categories.”

The award, an original bronze sculpture representing a jumping horse, was awarded to Georg Kähny by Yanick Rossier – Longines International Sponsorship & Events Manager, and Dominique Mégret – JOC Chairman, in the main ring of the Longines CHI Classics Basel. Georg Kähny also received a Longines watch.

The next two owners on the ranking were Luigi Baleri who is the owner of horses such as Chaplin (Verdi TN x Concorde) and The Sinner (Sanvaro x Landgold 3) ridden by Martin Fuchs for Switzerland, and Charlotte Söderstrom – Stuteri Arch who is the owner of horses such as H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo) and H&M All In (Kashmir van't Schuttershof x Andiamo Z) ridden by Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Peder Fredricson for Sweden.