Against the golden backdrop of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Martin Fuchs produced a ride to remember. With the grandstands packed and the autumn sun finally breaking through, Fuchs and his long-time partner Conner Jei delivered a jump-off masterclass to take the CSI5* 1.50m Jump-Off presented by KRONEN ZEITUNG at the Longines Global Champions Tour.
It was a performance dripping in determination. The 14-year-old gelding, already a winner on stages across the globe, rose once more to the occasion in Austria. “I wanted to win tonight,” said Fuchs, beaming after stopping the clock in 34.00 seconds, a full 1.29s clear of his nearest rival. “Riding in front of a full house here at the palace is so special. Conner Jei deserved this win.”
A Jump-Off for the Ages
The jump-off lineup brimmed with talent. First to throw down the gauntlet was Jana Wargers on I Know, posting 36.67s to set the tone. Katrin Eckermann with the bold Chao Lee shaved fractions to take the provisional lead, while Edwina Tops-Alexander and her new partner Caetlin vd Heffinck Z opted for precision over risk.
Then came Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes and H5 Knockando, who ignited the crowd with a scorching 35.29s, storming into top spot. But the drama was far from over. Enter Fuchs and Conner Jei. Galloping with daring intent, they cleared the final fence on a flyer to snatch the win in emphatic fashion.
Others faltered under the pressure. Bassem Mohammed’s rails fell early with F One USA, and Victor Bettendorf’s Doha de Riverland also clipped out of contention. Local favourite Bianca Babanitz steered Dakato to a tidy double clear but couldn’t match the leaders’ pace. Last to go, Philipp Weishaupt chose not to risk Kilmister, saving his nine-year-old for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Vienna’s Triumphant Return
The result left Fuchs top, de Menezes second, and Eckermann third — a podium that reflected both daring speed and cool-headed precision. Behind the results sheet, though, it was the spectacle that truly stood out. The Tour’s return to Vienna after nearly a decade absence was marked by history, colour, and a crowd that roared every stride home.
The grand stage of Schönbrunn Palace lent an extra layer of magic, reminding all that equestrian sport is at its finest when tradition and competition meet. Now, attention turns to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna on Sunday evening — a contest already set to match this jump-off’s drama.
Read the full Vienna Jump-Off coverage on RaceBuzz.
