2004 CSIO Aachen

Thomas Fuchs and Tinka's Boy Win Jumping Grand Prix at Aachen

July 19, 2004

The most important show jumping victory to achieve, besides an Olympic or World Champion's title, is that of the Grand Prix at Aachen. Dealing with one of the heaviest courses in the world and riding for a 60,000 people crowd, the Grand Prix of Aachen is a unique class any show jumper aspires to win.

Ludger Beerbaum and Goldfever won the class in 2003 and 2002, but this year it was Swiss Thomas Fuchs aboard the KWPN bred Tinka's Boy who cleared two rounds and the jump-off in the fastest time. In 36.91 seconds, Fuchs beat the new German Jumping Champion Christian Ahlmann on Cöster by being only 0.04 seconds faster. It were sour grapes for the young Ahlmann, who pushed everything out of his lovely jumping Holsteiner Calato offspring to claim this title this year as well.

Of course, Fuchs was ecstatic about his victory. "I was very nervous," Fuchs confessed after his ride. "I had to breathe a few times before I realized I won the class."

Fuchs stated that he took much risk to be the fastest one. The stretch to the last jump (the Aachener and Munchener oxer with a width of almost 2 meters) takes six strides and Fuchs' liver chestnut Tinka's Boy took the perfectly, clearing the course with much brilliance and speed.

The 49-year old Thomas Fuchs has won the 2001 World Cup Finals and was almost able to win 700,000 euro of prize money in the Pulsar Crown Series of 2000, had he won the Grand Prix of Aachen back then. Fuchs is married to Maja and has two children, who do not ride but are successful in tennis.

Text and Photos by Astrid Appels of Eurodressage.com