In all the years the Swiss rider, Martin Fuchs, has been competing here in Aachen, he has never succeeded in winning a gold rosette in one of the main classes. Until today, when he jumped to victory in the RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Aachen’s Course Designer, Frank Rothenberger, presented the crème de la crème of the showing jumping sport with some tricky tasks in the RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia. Ten pairs made it through to the jump-off. Martin Fuchs and his Hanoverian-bred gelding, Commissar Pezi (by Lord Pezi) were the second pair to go, after Daniel Deußer and Gangster v.h. Noddevelt had completed a clear round in a time of 45.22 seconds. Fuchs and Commissar Pezi knocked almost two seconds off his time. “It was good that I was able to watch Daniel ride. He did a few leave-outs that I wasn’t quite sure about. But my horse really went for the fences today.” Result: Clear in 43.06 seconds. A super time, but would it suffice? “I didn’t know if it would be enough with such a strong starter field to go behind me…,” is how Fuchs described his emotions at the moment.

The first time he had to tremble was two pairs later, when the German Champions, Patrick Stühlmeyer and Drako de Maugre, entered the ring. The Kannan son is in top form (that was clear round number four today and the fifth this week in Aachen) and Stühlmeyer steered him smoothly round the jump-off course at a fast pace. But he didn’t top Fuchs’ time, the clock stopped at 44.52 seconds, which meant second place.

Natalie Dean from the partner country, the USA, was the only other rider to stay under 44 seconds. But she and Acota M picked up four faults. Ireland’s Nations’ Cup winner of yesterday, Denis Lynch, didn’t find the right rhythm with Cordial: Four faults and much slower than the winning time.

Then, the bell went for Lorenzo de Luca with Denver de Talma. The Italian rider hasn’t been competing on the top circuit for a while, but with Denver de Talma he has now found a new horse for the bigger tasks. The pair demonstrated that today by crossing the finish line in 44.35 seconds, two tenths of a second faster than Stühlmeyer and Drako de Maugre. The two subsequent pairs, Janika Sprunger with Orelie and Kevin Staut with Dialou Blue PS, both knocked a pole, so they didn’t change the present ranking: Martin Fuchs ahead of Lorenzo de Luca, ahead of Patrick Stühlmeyer. And Daniel Deußer was delighted to finish fourth.

“That was a perfect afternoon,” summed up Martin Fuchs. “It is of course a wonderful feeling to win here at the best show in the world in front of such a fantastic crowd.”

Lorenzo de Luca added. “It is amazing to be here on the podium. I have been chasing an invitation to compete here since last year. Thank you for letting me be here!”

Patrick Stühlmeyer explained: “After the German Championships, coming third here is of course a super achievement for me. Riding here in this sold-out stadium, is phenomenal!” Whereby he already has his eyes set on his next goal: “We are looking forward to Sunday with excitement.”

Daniel Deußer described his horse, Gangster van het Noddevelt, which he has been riding since last December as follows: “He certainly lives up to his name – he’s a bit of a gangster. I am very pleased about how he feels in a big ring like this.” Whether he will follow in Killer Queen’s hoofprints one day and maybe win the Rolex Grand Prix? “I am sure he will perhaps win a Grand Prix like the one on Sunday, one day.”