Max Kühner produced a cool, controlled jump-off to win the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria at the London International Horse Show, partnering the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding EIC Cooley Jump the Q.
The Austrian rider stopped the clock in 33.94 seconds to take the win, becoming the first Austrian to top the London leg since Thomas Frühmann’s victory in 1989.
“It’s a really good feeling today. In a jump-off like that we listen to the horse and they tell us what’s possible and what’s not. Today we had a very clear communication, I could really feel him telling me what to do and asking which kind of support he needed. It was just a very smooth feeling – we were floating,” said Kühner.
He added: “It’s for sure good and it’s also a good finish of the season which hasn’t been my best season, but it’s now a little bit better than before. I’ve been second here with Elektric Blue when he was 10 years old but I could never win the class, so it’s good to have that in my pocket.”
A demanding first round puts the pressure on
Irish course designer Alan Wade set a testing first-round track in the International Arena, and time proved just as influential as the fences. Of the 37 starters, only five combinations progressed to the jump-off without penalties.
Several riders delivered clear jumping rounds but were edged out by time faults, including Ireland’s Tom Wachman, the Netherlands’ Hessel Hoekstra, Great Britain’s Ben Maher, Denmark’s Zascha Nygaard and Belgium’s Rik Hemeryck.
Whitaker leads the way, but Kühner answers back
Britain’s Donald Whitaker set the early pace in the jump-off with Milfield Colette, crossing the line in 35.52 seconds to put the pressure on the rest of the field.
“It’s the class at London that you always want to win. I’ve watched all my family doing it – John, Michael, Will. Obviously I wanted to win it, but second, I will take that all day,” said Whitaker.
Reflecting on the jump-off, he added: “She’s naturally fast, so normally I just tried to follow her. Maybe I could have kept it a bit cleverer and a bit tighter in the jump off. I was a little wide and fast whereas Max was cleverer and tighter.
“I can’t be disappointed, though as she tried her absolute heart out, which she does every time. It’s devastating, but at the same time it’s amazing and fantastic. She keeps getting better and better. I don’t know what else she can do. She has done everything this year, at every show, she is one in a million. [She’s] the best horse in the world in my mind, so I’ve got to look after her.”
Second to go, Kühner and EIC Cooley Jump the Q stayed composed and shaved more than a second off Whitaker’s time, taking the lead with a clear round that proved unbeatable.
O’Connor completes the podium
Ireland’s Cian O’Connor finished third with Chatolinue PS after producing the only other clear jump-off round, opting for a steadier approach with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding as the partnership is still new.
presented by Agria during The London International Horse Show. Credit London International Horse Show/Peter Nixon
Britain’s Robert Whitaker looked set to challenge after posting the quickest jump-off time, but a rail down left him fourth with Vermento. France’s Pénélope Leprévost completed the top five with Baloubet de Talma after also finishing on four faults.
- 1st: Max Kühner (Austria) with EIC Cooley Jump the Q
- 2nd: Donald Whitaker (Great Britain) with Milfield Colette
- 3rd: Cian O’Connor (Ireland) with Chatolinue PS
