Martin Fuchs: inspired by Isabell Werth
The medals of the Longines FEI European Championships Jumping, Dressage and Para Dressage are divided. The riders, horses and other team members returned home and can look back on this exciting event. We asked a few key players of these Championships about their feelings and experiences. The Longines FEI Championship Jumping was spread over a speed course on Wednesday, a second qualifier on Thursday, the team final on Friday and the individual final on Sunday. In the end it was Martin Fuchs who was awarded the individual title in Rotterdam. Below he tells about his European Championship.
“It was a championship with a beautiful ambiance. It was perfect for the horses. The stables were very nice, it was nice to walk in the forest and the warming up arena's were also very good. Furthermore that, it was well organized. For me it was very special to win the gold medal at this Championship.
Couldn’t get nervous
Martin has been in Rotterdam several times before. “I always liked it. This championship was a bit different, because we were more nervous, I was more excited to win. But the event was great! I also really liked being in Rotterdam. We stayed in the Inntel hotel down town Rotterdam. I went for a walk in the city almost every day. I only had one horse with me, so I had more time to do other things. I really enjoyed the city instead of getting nervous for the show,” tells Martin laughing.”
“I was watching Isabell Werth on winning the Freestyle on Saturday and the individual golden medal. This was very inspiring for me and I thought definitely this is what I want to do tomorrow. I was really happy when I succeeded!”
Big surprise
In the individual jumping final it was a close call between Ben Maher (GBR), Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Martin Fuchs (CH) as there points were very close to each other. It was the last round where everything came clear and Fuchs became the new European Champion. “Before the closing day I was not in the top of the leaderboard. But I was confident that Clooney was able to jump a few more clear rounds. Ben Maher made a fault at the second last fence. This was of course a big surprise and a huge moment for me.”
photo credits: Anita Sajet