Max Kühner has today announced the retirement of his 15-year-old stallion Chardonnay 79 (Clarimo x Corrado I). With Kühner in the saddle, Chardonnay jumped at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA – where the two finished 6th individually, as well as at the European Championships in Gothenburg in 2017 and in Rotterdam in 2019. The pair also jumped at two World Cup Finals. 

On his official Instagram account, Kühner writes: 

“Dear Chadi,

Thank you, for the wonderful years as my sport partner, best friend and soul mate. Now a new chapter is about to begin for you as a breeding stallion. 

When someone asks me which show, course or success with you was my best, I can't give them any clear answer. I enjoyed every moment with you as soon as I was allowed to take place on your back. Whether it was on one of our rounds on the race track at home or in one of the most difficult courses in the world - Your incredible strength, instinct, joy and the feeling that anything goes with you, have given us wonderful emotional moments and great successes. The gene fear is not present inside your soul and it always seemed as if you were above it all. This look from you, which radiates so much strength and willpower, is still a daily motivation, incentive and role model for me. You have definitely made me to a better horseman. Without you, I would not have come this far in my entire career.

But words cannot truly describe how much you gave to me, my family, our former groom Alex and the whole team at home. I am simply grateful to call myself having been your rider and look forward to taking the first rounds with your promising progeny and making you proud in the process.

Now a new chapter started for you as a stud stallion. For this purpose we have entered into a partnership with a renowned breeding station, but for the moment we would like to keep this partnership as a secret. So far we can say, he will be available as fresh and frozen semen. This year we have already covered 30 mares with an excellent pregnancy rate from you. Your first offspring are now only 2 years old but so far they are very promising and already show us today these typical "Chardonnay genes" with your strength, your look, your character and your unlimited bravery - perfect genes that allow us to hope for great things.

In deep thankfulness 

Max and his whole team”

At World of Showjumping, we wish Chardonnay a happy retirement!