Left to right: Harrie Smolders (NED), Martin Fuchs (SUI), and Max Kühner (AUT). Photo: www.scoopdyga.com.
Live contender interview with Martin Fuchs
How does it feel to know you made history by winning consecutive Rolex Grands Prix at CHI Geneva in front of your home crowd?
It is always amazing to win a Rolex Grand Prix, but to win one back-to-back, and in front of my home crowd, made it so much more special to me. Leone Jei is such a young horse as well; it was certainly a very big win for me!
Do you think that Leone Jei could be the next Clooney 51?
I do not compare them; Clooney 51 was the most successful horse in the history of Swiss show jumping. So, I really cannot expect to have the next Clooney 51 straight away. However, I do think that Leone Jei has shown that he has all the qualities and I think that he is one of the best horses on the circuit right now.
Looking ahead to The Dutch Masters next month, which horses will you compete with, and who have you selected for the Rolex Grand Prix?
I will ride Chaplin in the Rolex Grand Prix. He is in very good form, and I think that The Dutch Masters will really suit him. I am planning to take Leone Jei to the bigger outside rings, such as CHIO Aachen, as I think that they suit him better.
Which horse and rider combinations do you think have what it takes to win the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters?
I don’t think that there is one specific combination. At every Rolex Grand Slam Major, you find the best horse and rider combinations, and therefore everyone there has a chance to win. In my opinion that is why the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is so special and unique. I think that our sport is different from most other sports: it is much harder to win regularly or back-to-back, as we work with animals which makes the sport so unpredictable. This makes winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, like Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos did, such an incredible achievement.
© 2022 Rolex – Rolex Grand Slam