“It looked very much like I would be second again, Ben has been great over the past two years and especially at this championship again I didn’t think I would beat him or that he would make a fault, but obviously I am very happy to be winning here and to finally not have only the silver medal!” Fuchs said.
Looking back on how this week of competition has played out he said, “I had a fault the first day in the Speed class, it was my mistake I took a lot of risk and Clooney struggled at the last combination, but he has been great every day, getting better and better over each round which is one of his best qualities. And I was saying today before going into the final, if I do my job and do the small things right he won’t let me down!”
The first person to give him a congratulatory hug was Irishman Sean Vard. “Sean has been with me a couple of years and is a great groom, friend, supporter and the best person that has ever followed me to the shows. And my family, my parents and my owner Luigi - they are always here supporting me. Unfortunately my girlfriend Paris couldn’t be here this week, she’s in California and she’s been up all night to watch me and I had a little chat with her before my second round. She just said don’t worry you will win it, she’s been saying that for the last three days and I kept saying don’t jinx it, touch wood, touch wood!”, said the happy Swiss rider.
He thanked Clooney’s owner, Luigi Baleri who has been awarded the IJOC Horse Owner of the Year title. “He’s always a big support and he’s like a second father, driving me to shows since I was a Junior!” said Fuchs whose first major victory was gold at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.