Christian Kukuk stepped off the podium on the grand stage at the Palace of Versailles and bowed to the sold-out Parisian stadium.
It was a fitting end to a spectacular performance that saw the German rider capture his first ever Olympic medal—individual gold—with the great grey Checker 47.
“What a win!” said Kukuk.
“It’s the most emotional day in my life, honestly, in my career. This is the highest you can achieve in our sport. I’m one of only a few calling myself Olympic champion, Olympic gold medalist. This is something that will stay forever.”
It was a course that will likely haunt many of the 30 individual finalists for years to come as well.
Course designers Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo set a demanding 15 fence, 19-jumping-effort track that started with a 1.60m vertical. Five fences on course were at the 1.65m height and three of the oxers had spreads of 1.70m–1.75m. It was a test of scope, adjustability, and skill, set at 400m/minute speeds.
Only three combinations cracked the code to a clear: Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme, Netherland’s Maikel van der Vlueten and Beauville and Germany’s Kukuk and Checker 47.
All three are prior Olympians. Two are prior Olympic medalists. Guerdat was Olympic champion at London 2012. van der Vlueten won the individual bronze at Tokyo 2020.
But it was Kukuk’s day in Paris.
First to return and already assured of a medal, the 34-year-old German said the pressure was off for the short course.
“Honestly, there was not so much in my head!” he said.
“We only had three clear rounds so I knew we had a medal, so I felt zero pressure going in. I knew it didn’t matter what happened, I had a medal, which is already a really huge thing. I really enjoyed every single moment. I went in, I told myself, ‘You will try your best like always and whatever happens you will accept it’.
“But I also knew what my horse is able to do. I knew what I am able to do.”
Kukuk and Checker 47 are one of only three pairs competing in Paris that have won two 5* grands prix this year. Partnered for nearly four years, they’ve finished top 10 in 60% of their 1.60m starts this season and have an 89% four faults or better career average across 54 rounds at the height (Jumpr).
That shared history and confidence played to advantage in Paris. The pair delivered the only double clear and the fastest time in the jump off, crossing the finish line in 38.34 seconds.
Chasing his time, Guerdat and van der Vlueten each dropped a rail to finish in silver and bronze medal positions, respectively.
“I’m really happy for my horse; he really deserved this medal also,” continued Kukuk. “The last year, he’s been the most outstanding horse and I’m just happy that we really made it today.”
Kukuk’s win completes an equestrian trifecta for Germany at the Paris Games. Michael Jung and Chipmunk took the individual gold in eventing. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB took the individual gold in dressage.