Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei jump to victory at Spruce Meadows. Image: Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley.

Martin Fuchs wins $3 million CPKC International Grand Prix

The Spruce Meadows grounds were full and the International Ring packed with fans for the feature afternoon event on Sunday, the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex – part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

This $3,000,000 Two-Round Grand Prix is one of the richest in the world and featured some of the top international riders from around the world. Following the completion of the first round of competition, the top twelve riders from round one then return for round two in reverse order of merit – their first and second round scores added together to determine final placings. If there is a tie for faults after two rounds of competition, a jump off is required to determine the winner.

Sunday’s course was designed by FEI Level 4 Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and with his team; Anthony d’Ambrosio (USA), Peter Grant (CAN), Joey Rycroft (CAN), Florencio Hernández (MEX), Will Dean-Stobie (CAN), Jedd Smith (CAN) and Peter Wong (MYS), who assisted throughout the event (6-10 September), designed the tracks with multiple tests for both horse and rider.

After the first round of competition, 5 horse/rider combinations were clear with the twelfth spot being held down Jorne Sprehe (GER) who had four faults and a time of 73.57s. The second round of competition consisted of twelve obstacles (15 jumping efforts) that spanned 510m and had to be completed in 77 seconds of less.

There was a hush over the stadium for each rider, and after the second round we had two double clears – there would be a jump off between Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs.

Foster was first into the ring and had an unfortunate rail in the combination, so all Fuchs had to do was go clear. He’s ranked number 5th in the world for a reason, thousands were silent as Fuchs entered the ring on his great, grey gelding Leone Jei and he took each jump one at a time.

Leone cleared the final fence with ease and Fuchs knew he had won with a memorable mid-air celebration. Martin Fuchs was the 2023 winner of the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex and the new live contender in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

“It’s really one of my biggest dreams to win here in Spruce Meadows. My father was here plenty of times. He was here quite a few times and well placed in the Grand Prix, but he never managed to win. And he said, this is the best show in the world and this is where you have to win. And he pushed me to to win one day here and today is just wonderful,” said Martin Fuchs on his dream of winning the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex and part of the Folex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

Through their Spruce Meadows sponsorship, CPKC also shines a spotlight on local heart charities that make a big impact in their communities. CPKC has helped raise over $36 million to improve the heart health of adults and children of North America. During the CPKC ‘International’, for every clear round (including those with only time faults) on course, CPKC donated $10,000 to heart health.

This year, thanks to our great show jumping athletes, CPKC will be donating $90,000 to heart health through their contributions to research, equipment, cardiac care, and prevention.

Source: Spruce Meadows press release

An Aussie in the mix

Australian Olympian Katie Laurie and horse Django II finished in 15th place in the Grand Prix, dropping a rail and accruing two time faults to record a round one score of six.

It was a consistent and successful weekend for Katie, who was also fifth in the Enbridge Cup (1.50m) with Cera Caruso on the Sunday. On Saturday, among other results across the event, Katie was sixth with Cera Caruso in the Suncor Winning Round (1.50m). They thrilled the crowds in more ways than one – in the jump off, a huge leap from Cera Caruso resulted in a detached stirrup! The pair barvely completed their round, and did so in the fastest time – however a late-falling last pole unfortunately relegated them to sixth position.