May 5, 2024 
Martin Fuchs came to Royal Windsor Horse Show with one horse and one goal: reclaim his title in the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix.
“I only brought one horse this week, which puts a lot of pressure on the one class but I felt very confident after a good round on Friday. Today, I knew when I walked the course that it suited us very well,” said the world no. 4.
The Swiss Olympian had every reason to be optimistic.
Leone Jei is in spectacular form. And by spectacular we mean faultless. The 12-year old KWPN gelding is jumping to a 100% clear round average over eight 1.60m rounds to date in 2024 (Jumpr Stats).
And clears are what it took to win in the King’s backyard.
Bernardo Costa Cabral’s 1.60m course tested precision, bravery and athleticism. Ultimately, 12 answered the call. Seven managed to post double clears on the day, each faster than the next—until they weren’t.
Great Britain’s Matt Sampson was first to post a double clear in 46.80 seconds on Daniel. Sweden’s Petronella Andersson shaved over a second off to take over the lead in 45.38 only to lose it immediately to Italy’s Giulia Martinengo Marquet who took it down to 44.84.
None proved a match for Fuchs, however. Aboard Leoni Jei, the Swiss rider sliced over three seconds off the leading time, stopping the clock at 41.40.
Reigning European Champion, Steve Guerdat and Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet gave chase and came within tenths of a second. Guerdat crossed the timers in 41.86 to slot into third. Wathelet in 41.75 to claim second.
“I knew that I had to risk everything as I had some of the fastest riders in the world coming after me,” said Fuchs. “Leone Jei has a huge stride so I have to try to ride tight turns and leave some strides out on the straight lines—his energy and ability lets me leave out strides which other horses aren’t able to do.”
It’s Fuchs and Leone Jei’s fifth Grand Prix win together and third Rolex Grand Prix title. The pair won the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva, SUI in 2021 and in Ville de Dinard, FRA in 2022. Fuch won the Rolex Grand Prix at Royal Windsor in 2023 with Conner Jei.
“It’s obviously fantastic, not just to win back to back but the whole atmosphere of being here—it’s so special,” said Fuchs.
