April 24, 2025 
Records have been few and far between in recent years. But one man continues to break them over and over.
The Olympic individual gold medal combination of Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH laid down the gauntlet to a new record dressage score at Kentucky of 18.6. It was a true masterclass in ringcraft and correct riding with accurate, clear transitions across the board and true harmony.
In a pair that needs no additional experience, Jung saved the horse until now.
“I did something different. [This is] my first competition after Paris. Normally, I had some other competitions before to prepare the horses, but there was nothing really good for me around my place, and we had a really dry spring. I really trust my horse, so I believe in him. I think he [doesn’t] really need special competitions to prepare him. He’s ready.”
Kentucky is a happy hunting ground for Jung, who has won here once already with Chipmunk in the horse’s only other 5* start in 2022 and has won on his great mare fischerRocana FST three additional times.
Equiratings Prediction Centre put them on a 31% win chance pre-competition and after their nearly 10-point lead, now rates them with a 48% win chance, and a 58% chance of top 3. This means in more than half of the simulations of competition run through the Prediction Centre, Jung finishes on the podium.
Bet against them at your peril.
New Zealand did their level best to close the gap behind Germany with Paris Olympic combination Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park sitting in second on 28.4 and Tim Price tied in equal second on Jarillo. Price also holds fourth on his second ride of the day, Happy Boy with a 29.1.
Johnstone and Menlo Park are riding the high of a top-20 individual finish in stout Paris Olympic competition and are one of the most consistent partnerships in the field.
“We’ve been all over the world together,” he laughed about his partnership with “Jacko.” “So very well-traveled! He’s just a lovely guy. He’s really friendly, happy, obviously loves traveling and people.”
Price’s rides are young to the level with Jarillo in his second 5* start and Happy Boy attempting his first 5* completion.
“A little bit unknown quantity at this level, Happy Boy, but he tried really hard and almost had a mistake free test,” said Price. “Then the same for the other guy. We really wanted to come, do their best, and deliver what they’re capable of doing. I think both of them did that for me today, so very proud of them both!”
The top U.S. rider is the favorite American to take the win, Boyd Martin on Federman B. A veteran pair by every measure with top placings all over the world at 5* and the Paris Olympics under their belt, they sit in fifth, just behind Price, on a 29.8.
“He’s a friendly horse. He’s quirky though, like he’s hard to catch, and he’s a bit hard to get on,” Martin remarked on “Bruno.” “But he’s a very laid back, kind horse. All the girls at the farm can hack him around, and he’s got a special story and he’s a kind soul.”
Equiratings gives Martin a 5% win chance and a 22% top three finish. Dare we bet against Jung on Martin?
Seventeen more riders will attempt to close the gap between Jung and the rest of the field including Price again on his third ride of Falco. It’s a stretch of the imagination to think that anyone can pass Jung, but we will cross our fingers for more records broken at 1 p.m. EST in the Rolex Stadium.
