When Martin Fuchs won the CPKC International at Spruce Meadows in 2023, he jumped the final fence with a celebratory fist in the air, knowing he’d clinched the victory.
It was an instantly iconic finish photo and he followed it by dropping an f-bomb on live tv. Classic Fuchs.
On Sunday, the Swiss rider was back in Calgary and once again jumping off for the title. Only this time the order of events was reversed.
The defending champion was the first of three starters to return for Leopoldo Palacios’ massive short course.
Aboard his 2023 partner Leone Jei, Fuchs set a speedy standard from the start but dropped a rail at fence three, ultimately stopping the clock at 40.22 seconds. He was visibly disappointed as he rode out of the ring.
“I was actually quite upset with myself for not giving Leone Jei the best chance in the jump off because I overrode the brown oxer,” said Fuchs after. “I pushed him bit into the pole because I was thinking already about the fence after, the leave out to the vertical, instead of trusting him to jump the oxer and then use his big stride to do the five strides. So I was a bit mad at myself.”
No doubt he was re-living that ride in the agonizing wait that followed as 2022 CPKC International winners Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM and certified speed threat Darragh Kenny on VDL Cartello rode through the Clock Tower.
Rather than watch two of the best riders in the world snatch his title, Fuchs quietly walked his horse out in the warmup ring and listened to the crowds’ cheers—and groans.
But then the tides started to turn.
Kenny and 17-year-old VDL Cartello faulted at the same fence as Fuchs but were three and half seconds slower through the timers, picking up two time faults along the way.
Forced to give chase by Palacio’s cleverly short 42-second time allowed, a careful clear wasn’t an option for Deusser and Killer Queen. The German crossed the timers faster in 39.58, but dropped a rail at the penultimate fence and took out bricks on the final wall as he risked it to the last, ultimately finishing third.
“It was no option to go slowly because the time allotted was very, very short,” said Deusser. “So, I was a little bit under pressure.“
This time Fuchs ecstatic reaction unfolded behind the scenes. He leapt off his horse to hug his groom Sean Vaard and then everyone in arm’s reach.
“Today was our day! And I’m glad that, even though I made a big mistake myself that we could still win,” said an elated Fuchs.
The win is just the latest in a stand out year for Leone Jei and Fuchs. At 12-years of age, the grey KWPN gelding has won over €3.6 million in prize money, including six 5* Grands Prix (Jumpr stats).
Four of those titles were earned in the past year—a feat only one other horse has accomplished (Checker 47 with Christian Kukuk).
“I mean, he’s a fantastic horse. I’ve had him now for six or seven years, and, he has always been performing really, really well, especially at the Majors,” said Fuchs. “I think he has jumped 13 Majors and placed in 12 of them—he has won quite a few and [earned] a lot of top ten finishes.”
To be precise, Leone Jei has won three Majors, to date—twice at the Spruce Meadows Masters and once at CHI Geneva. He’s jumped to 28 podium finishes, 21 of which were at 1.60m or above, according to Jumpr Stats.
And they’ve only grown more consistent. Over the past 365 days, they’ve finished top 5 in a phenomenal 82% of their 11 starts at the height.
“He is an unreal partner to have,” continued Fuchs. “The courses that we jump here are some of the toughest in the world; they really challenge the riders and the horses. You need to be 100% focused and confident, as well as have the courage to jump these impressive fences to be able to win here. I love coming here—it is a very special place to me.”
As in 2023, the Swiss rider is once again the Rolex Grand Slam live contender. Only one rider in history has won all three majors in the same year to claim the title—Scott Brash in 2015 on Hello Sanctos.
Fuchs has the horse to do it, too. And he’s already setting his mind to next steps.
“The next goal is CHI Geneva,” said Fuchs. “Leone Jei will get a rest now and do one or two indoor shows to prepare for Geneva and then try to do well again there in the Rolex Grand Prix.”
Rolex Grand Slam continues in Geneva, December 11–15.