October 11, 2026 
Max Kühner is up to winning in Norway—on EIC Up Too Jacco Blue.
The Austrian and his partner of six years took the first leg of 13 in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2026/2027 season on Sunday at the Agria Oslo Horse Show.
It’s their second five-star GP win of 2026, following their LGCT in Paris title in June, and puts then clearly on track to qualifying for the Final in Gothenburg out of the gate.
“It’s a very good feeling to start like that, of course, and it gives us a lot of motivation for the rest of the season,” Kühner reflected. “Gothenburg is for sure somewhere we want to go. That’s our aim, to get there.”
Nine starters advanced to Fredrik Malm’s twisting nine-fence jump-off. None came close to Kühner and Jacco Blue’s time of 40.52 seconds.
First to return, Monaco and Harrie Smolders (NED) set the standard, jumping clear and stopping the clock in 41.51 seconds. Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Fortjump du Beaumenil immediately followed, finishing a blink behind in 41.53.
By the time Kühner rode into the arena, third from last to return, he knew where he could make his move—and shave almost a full second off Smolders’ time.
“There were quite a few long distances from two to three and then after the combination,” he explained. “On those long distances I lost a little bit of speed with my horse, so I decided to add one stride there and then to catch it again in the next turn.
“Jacco really knew what I was asking him and did it very well, so I’m very pleased with my long-term partner today.”
“We know each other,” Kühner continued. “When he gives me that feeling, I know something can work out well, and I had it right from the beginning.”
Kühner now sits atop of the Western European League standings with 20 points after the opening leg, ahead of Smolders on 17 and Fuchs on 15. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) sits fourth on 13 points, while Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui (BEL) share fifth on 12.
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League next heads to Lyon (FRA) on November 2026.
