September 6, 2024 
It was a case of another day and another big win for power duo Richard Vogel and United Touch S of Germany.
But just as soon as Vogel had completed his prize-giving responsibilities in the 1.55m CANA Cup on Thursday, September 5, his attention shifted to Sunday. And for good reason.
The coveted CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, on Sunday will offer Vogel the chance to get back in the running for Rolex Grand Slam contention. It’s a position he hasn’t been in since he and United Touch S won the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva in December of 2023.
“We want to win very badly,” said Vogel, who would need to take home three consecutive Rolex Grand Prix majors to earn the coveted Grand Slam title. It’s a feat accomplished only once in history: by Great Britain’s Scott Brash in 2014/2015.
“Sunday’s grand prix is one of the most prestigious classes in the world,” Vogel continued. “I have United Touch, which is an opportunity you don’t have often in your life.”
On Thursday in the CANA Cup, the 12-year-old Westphalian stallion’s raw talent was again on display as one of eight double-clears in the field of 44 on Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios’s (VEN) challenging, International Ring track.
As part of the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation’s newly announced ‘Jump for Jasper’ charity fundraiser, each rider that delivers a clear round on course in the International Ring during the five-day ‘Masters’ tournament earns $490 toward the initiative from an anonymous donor.
So far, the two-day total for the event includes 83 clear rounds and $40,670 for the charity.
On Thursday, Vogel and United Touch dashed through the jump-off timers on a time of 41.60 seconds, while Great Britain’s Ben Maher and the 10-year-old Selle Français gelding, Enjeu de Grisien, took second on 42.06 seconds. Max Kühner of Austria and Elektric Blue P were third (42.65).
According to Jumpr, Vogel and United Touch S are one of only 10 combinations in the world with two or more *5 grand prix wins at 1.60m and above for the last 365 days, thanks to victories in Wellington and Geneva. On Sunday, they’ll be looking to join an even more elite list of only four horses in the world with three or more *5 wins: Dubai Du Cedre (3), Leone Jei (3), Legacy (3), and Olympic Champion Checker 47 (4).
“While I have [United Touch], I should try to win it with him,” Vogel said. “You never know when you will get a horse that can jump the big jumps so easy like he can.
“With him underneath me, I have a good chance and the opportunity to do it.”
