After three years of not hosting the World Cup, last weekend was a high day for the sport of jumping with the World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany. Martin Fuchs secured victory in this World Cup and was followed by Harrie Smolders on two and Jens Fredricson on three. To reminisce about what was a weekend full of top sport, we have listed some interesting facts about the World Cup Final in Leipzig.
Equine America Valmy de la Lande didn't touch any poles
Jack Whitaker, barely 21 years old and already present at the World Cup finals, managed to be the only combination with Equine America Valmy de la Lande to leave the wood in the spoons throughout the championship. The thirteen-year-old gray stallion previously shone in the ring with Michael Whitaker.
Three riders opted for horse changes
According to the rules of the World Cup Finals, riders are allowed to change horses throughout the three rounds, as long as the horse they start with has already participated in one of the qualifiers. Three riders chose this option. One of them was the winner Martin Fuchs who chose Chaplin on day one and started with The Sinner in the second round. The last round he chose Chaplin again. Harry Charles also opted for this choice to change horses throughout the week. He started his first World Cup finals with Stardust and put everything on Romeo 88 on the last day, with which he eventually finished fourth. Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi rode Alentejo in the first round and Chacolu in the remaining rounds.
Fredricson family loves bronze medals
At the 2019 final, the bronze medal went to Peder Fredricson. This year there was also a Fredricson on the podium, but this time it was Peder's brother Jens. He also took third place at the World Cup finals in Leipzig with the 11-year-old SWB gelding Markan Cosmopolit.
Multiple champions
With a total of 36 riders participating, 19 of whom came from different countries, there were some great ones among them like three-time winner Marcus Ehning. He won the World Cup final in 2003 with Anka in Las Vegas, in 2006 with Sandro Boy in Kuala Lumpur and again in 2010 with Noltes Küchengirl and Plot Blue. This year wasn't his lucky year and finished outside the prizes with Stargold.
Swiss Steve Guerdat had the chance to make history by crowning himself world champion for the fourth time in a row. He previously won in 2015, 2016 and 2019. This year he brought the thirteen-year-old gelding Victorio Des Frotards with whom he eventually finished eleventh.
Will Martin Fuchs be writing history and manage to jump to the top again in the next World Cup Finals?
Source: Equnews
Photo: © Tomas Holcbecher