Markus Fuchs is the new deputy national coach for Switzerland's top eventing couples, in charge of show jumping. He will take up his position on February 1st and will support the athletes at least until the Paris Olympics.
At sixty-eight years old, the Swiss rider has made his mark in the history of equestrian sports. Riding Tinka's Boy, he was part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, contributed to the team bronze at the 1994 World Championships in The Hague with Goldlights, and won individual silver, once again with Tinka's Boy, at the Hickstead European Championships in 1999. The star couple also won the World Cup final in 2001 in Gothenburg. He has also utilized his knowledge and expertise by training numerous high-level riders and serving as a team leader, particularly in Italy. Markus Fuchs succeeds Lesley McNaught, who passed away suddenly in December.
For Markus Fuchs, it is a new challenge that he is very excited to take on: "Working with the eventing team - especially in an Olympic year - motivates me tremendously! The requirements for the riders, as well as the horses, are slightly different from those in show jumping. It is precisely these subtleties that stimulate me! Lesley did an excellent job, and I am taking over a fantastic team. I am looking forward to collaborating with Switzerland's eventing elite!"
Source: Grand Prix
F. ©: Hippofoto / Dirk Caremans