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“This journey has only just begun and it is still very new, but I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead,” Luigi Baleri, 76, tells World of Showjumping. Currently, Luigi – a former JOC Owner of the Year – co-owns six horses: Commissar Pezi, Bastille, Coromont, EIC Julius Caesar, EIC Cooley Jump the Q, and Electric Blue. “All of these horses are with Max Kühner and ridden by him – except Bastille, who is ridden by his daughter, Jolie Kühner,” Luigi explains.

For years, Luigi supported Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, but recently he has moved on to back up Kühner. “Being part of Martin’s journey from a junior rider to becoming world number one has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Luigi shares. “I am forever grateful to have been a part of it. Martin, his family, and the entire team are incredible people, and I am certain that many more victories and milestones lie ahead in his career. A partnership and friendship that has lasted over 30 years simply cannot be fully captured in words; I have a thousand memories that have truly enriched my life.”

“Most of the horses were already with Max, and I decided to bring mine into the team as well,” Luigi tells about the change. “The reason for this is very personal: my son Remo began his own journey as a horse owner with Max ten years ago. Max is Remo’s best friend, and for us, the Kühner-family feels like our own. It felt like the right time to join them – not only to share this incredible experience together as one team instead of as “rivals,” but also to support Max in reaching the career goals he has not yet achieved.”

Luigi got involved in equestrian sports in his twenties. “The idea of galloping through open fields really appealed to me,” he recalls. “It was also during this time that I met my wife, as she was my teacher when I first started to take riding lessons. To be honest, she was never very impressed with my riding abilities – especially considering my high ambitions. I competed in jumping for about 30 years, but I never jumped higher than 1.30m. During that time, I also began supporting my jumping coach, who was a professional rider. That’s how my journey as a horse owner began.”

Being part of a team gives you an all-access pass to witness the incredibly hard work of the rider, the grooms, the coaches, and everyone involved

“Honestly, there isn’t a single moment that stands out as the best – every event creates new memories,” Luigi says when asked about his most memorable moments. “Yes, Clooney’s big wins, like in Geneva, were truly special. But the real experience takes place behind the scenes. Spending so many hours with the entire team is what makes this role so unique. Being part of a team gives you an all-access pass to witness the incredibly hard work of the rider, the grooms, the coaches, and everyone involved.”

“It always amazes me how much effort and dedication they put in, and how much love and care they give to the horses,” he continues. “These horses are treated like royalty – as they should be. Being part of the whole journey – from training all the way to, hopefully, a Grand Prix win – is what creates the most special memories.”

How horse owners are being valued has been a subject of diccusion on many occasions. “I may not make many friends with my views on the recognition of horse owners. However, I would like to share them nonetheless,” Luigi – who in 2018 and 2019 was awarded as the Longines Owner of the Year by the Jumping Owners Club – tells. “In my opinion, the FEI, in particular, sometimes seems to overlook how essential horse owners are to the sport. Without our horses, these exceptional animals, jumping as a sport simply would not exist. As an owner, you are the voice of the horse and, above all, responsible for its well-being.”

In my opinion, the FEI, in particular, sometimes seems to overlook how essential horse owners are to the sport

“We, as owners, are part of the riders’ teams. Yet, at many shows, we are no longer treated as such,” he continues to explains. “First of all, often owners are no longer permitted to walk the course before the start of the Grand Prix, while guests and sponsors are. To me, this is difficult to understand. Second, some shows no longer allow owners to be seated in the athletes’ area.  As mentioned, we are part of the team, but beyond that, I believe organizers owe us this consideration, as we entrust them with our horses competing at their events.”

“These are only small examples, but there are many more. What concerns me is the broader question: How will the FEI ensure that riders in the future can find people who are willing to invest so much in this sport, if owners are gradually made to feel less and less like part of the team – or even part of the sport itself? Without people crazy enough to become horse owners, top level events would never be as exciting or as competitive as they are today.”

After dedicating decades to the sport of jumping, Luigi is still excited for what lies ahead. “I am 76, and I consider myself a working retiree,” he smiles. “I still enjoy going to work from Monday to Thursday, and then I travel to wherever Max or Jolie are competing. My calendar is actually fuller than it was 30 years ago – which always makes me laugh.”

My calendar is actually fuller than it was 30 years ago – which always makes me laugh

“I truly believe that jumping has a great future ahead,” he continues. “Now, here’s something people don’t always say out loud, but it’s a fact: With all the new events, our sport has become more competitive, and with that comes significantly higher prize money. This is vital, as jumping is one of the most expensive sports in the world.”

“Prize money is essential for both owners and riders,” Luigi concludes. “The fixed costs of competing are immense. 99.9% of horse owners – myself included – do not become rich from owning horses and supporting riders. We do it purely out of passion for the sport. Prize money helps a great deal in covering the costs. Yes, of course, you can sell an exceptional horse for a large amount of money. However, if you are fortunate enough to own such a horse, it is often because of the journey, the partnership, and the love for the sport that you will not end up selling.”

23.4.2026 No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.