When people look back on Michael Jung’s career 50 years from now, there will be one defining feature—his history of firsts.

Jung is the first eventer to hold World, Olympic and European individual titles simultaneously. He’s the first to win four championship titles consecutively. And he became the first German to win a British CCI4* when he captured the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) last year.

This weekend, Jung added more firsts to his record.

As winner of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), he’s the first German to win the event in its 67-year history and the first to do so on an official score of 34.4, the lowest ever recorded at Badminton.

The victory sealed Jung’s place in history as the second winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

The world’s number one extraordinary run of success began with victory at Burghley (GBR) last September on La Biosthetique Sam FBW, followed by the European title a week later on FischerTakinou, and, last weekend, a repeat win at Kentucky with FischerRocana FST.

What’s the secret to Jung’s success? “I just like riding horses. It’s not only my job, it’s my hobby,” said the Olympic champion. “Sam is more than just a good horse to me—we’re a special partnership.

“I need a bit of time for this to sink in, but it is a special moment for me, especially when you think of the history and tradition of Badminton and all the great riders who have won it before. We [my family] agreed that we would treat this as a normal competition but now I can realise what it means. It’s not just for me, it’s a win for my whole team.”

Jung’s teammate, Andreas Ostholt scored a career best to finish in second place on the 13-year-old Westphalian gelding So Is Et. Gemma Tattersall (GBR) came in third place on the Arctic Soul.

While FischerTakinou is pegged as Jung’s potential Olympic mount, he’s not ready to retire Sam just yet. “He was like a three-year-old this morning and I like to think that Tokyo (the 2020 Olympics) might be his retirement event!” joked Jung.

One thing is certain: there are more “firsts” to come in this 33-year old’s career.

Tweet
Pin17
Share977
994 Shares