Show jumper Martin Fuchs wins the Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen

(sda) In the €1.5 million competition, there had always been a German home victory in the last four years. This time, in front of 40,000 spectators, the locals failed in a series of jump-offs, while two Swiss riders caused a sensation at the top – Martin Fuchs won, with Steve Guerdat taking third. It was only the fourth Swiss victory in the prestigious competition, following Paul Weier in 1973, Willi Melliger in 1983, and Markus Fuchs in 2004.

After two rounds, eleven riders advanced to the jump-off. Fuchs took the lead from Guerdat on Dynamix with a time of 50.29 seconds. Fuchs then struggled to beat French rider Nina Mallevaey, who was faster but had one knockdown, and American rider Laura Kraut, who fell just short of his time with a time of 52.41. The Zurich rider's victory and his prize money of half a million euros were secured.