Martin Fuchs (SUI) and his faithful friend, the 14-year-old gelding Leone Jei, took the honours on day two of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel (SUI) in front of an electric stadium full of fans after a thrilling jump-off. Max Kühner (AUT) and his long-term partner, the also 14-year-old Elektric Blue P, took second ahead of Alessandra Volpi (USA) with her sensational 11-year-old mare Gypsy Love. Day two of the competition saw athletes battle for supremacy in a 1.60m Table A Jump-Off class where only six of the 38 athletes came up with all the answers around an imposing first round track.

Thirty- seven athletes took to the St. Jakobshalle arena to face the first round of the second final competition. Starting in reverse order of standings following yesterday’s speed opener, the tension and excitement built throughout the night with pressure intensified for those sitting at the business end of proceedings, knowing how much was at stake, and theirs to lose.

Following his emphatic win in the opening speed leg, Julien Epaillard (FRA) came into tonight’s second final competition in pole position ahead of Ben Maher (GBR), hungry to add the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ trophy to his three Olympic Gold medals. World Cup Final debutant Lillie Keenan (USA) came forward in third position, benefiting from the expert mentorship of her coach McLain Ward (USA), himself a former World Cup champion and following his advice to the letter. Defending Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Champion from 2023 and 2024, Henrik von Eckerman (SWE) kept himself in touch with the leaders in fourth place reliant on the agility of his 2021 European Team Gold medalling partner Iliana.

Advertisement