Jung Is One Step Away from Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize after Cross-Country at Badminton

Photo courtesy of Rolex.

7 May 2016, Badminton, UK – Michael Jung (GER) gave a cross-country masterclass performance to maintain his overnight lead at the 2016 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, to put him just one step away from the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize.

Having won both the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2016 Rolex Kentucky, Jung is now just 13 show jumping fences away from the coveted USD$350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. Michael Jung heads into Sunday’s final show jumping phase at Badminton with two rails in hand and is focused on one thing only: winning the world’s greatest prize in Eventing – the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

Riding La Biosthetique Sam FBW, Jung was 20th to go cross-country and made the four-star course look easy as he guided Sam over the 32-fence course with a clear round and no time penalties, finishing seven seconds within the time set.

In second place is his fellow compatriot Andreas Ostholt riding So Is Et, who went clear cross-country picking up 5.2 time penalties. In third place is Great Britain’s Gemma Tattersall riding Artic Soul.

TOP 5 RESULTS AFTER CROSS-COUNTRY

1. Michael Jung (GER), La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, 34.4
2. Andreas Ostholt (GER), So Is Et, 43.4
3. Gemma Tattersall (GBR), Artic Soul, 44.6
4. Mark Todd (NZL), Leonidas II, 44.8
5. Jonathan Paget (NZL), Clifton Lush, 45.2

ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING CHALLENGE

Speaking after the cross-country, a jubilant Jung said, “I am very, very proud of my horse. He concentrates, he is so powerful, always galloping forward – it’s a really, really great feeling. We have a great partnership; he trusts me, and I trust him. Everything feels so easy with him – it’s a tough course but with this energy, there was not one time with him that I felt I was galloping fast – everything is so easy with him.”

Andreas Ostholt said, “I really enjoyed my ride; I was really pleased. For sure I had a hairy moment at the Vicarage Vee – I was sitting on top thinking ‘not today, not today, not today’; I’m getting old, but luckily not too old and managed to stay on my horse! I tried not to be too fast and not too quick. In the end I am one of the happiest men of the day.”

Competing for the third time at Badminton on her horse Artic Soul, in her fifth start, Gemma Tattersall said, “Today was awesome – amazing! I have been wanting to be here at Badminton [in the top 3] all my life. Artic Soul is a really good show jumper – he does get a little nervous with the crowds so I’ve just got to keep him calm and try my best to jump a clear round, but hey – he’s been incredible in the first two phases and I am incredibly proud of him.”

HISTORY OF THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM

In 2001 Rolex was inspired to link the three foremost eventing competitions in the world into a Grand Slam. Badminton – the British horse trials on which the modern sport of eventing was founded, Kentucky – the premier US event, and Burghley – the East of England’s showpiece event, formed the competition.

Every year these three events attract world class competition and crowds of enthusiastic supporters eager to bear witness to equestrian greatness. It became immediately apparent that, completing the challenge and winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, would require a series of outstanding performances from a remarkable athlete.

Since its inception in 2001, only one rider has risen to the challenge: Britain’s much loved and highly decorated team member, Pippa Funnell. In April 2003 she rode Primmore’s Pride to victory at Rolex Kentucky, beginning her Rolex Grand Slam campaign. A week later, this time riding double European champion Supreme Rock, Funnell was crowned Badminton winner. A few months later, Funnell reigned supreme at Burghley, riding Primmore’s Pride again, outperforming fellow Rolex Testimonee Zara Phillips, who finished in second place. Pippa Funnell immediately joined the ranks of sporting greats and became a Rolex Testimonee.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 (0)22 302 2761

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 (0)7770 647 662