By Jean Llewellyn [from rolex media transcription]
Photography: © Rolex
During the 2024 CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament, Rolex, a 35-year sponsor of the event, hosted a roundtable Q&A with Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs – 2023 winner of the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex, and Linda Southern-Heathcott.
On behalf of Rolex, Merrick Haydon (from rEvolution Sports Marketing Agency) welcomed a select media group to an exclusive Q&A session to celebrate the watchmaker’s 35th anniversary as a main sponsor at Spruce Meadows. He introduced Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs – a three-time Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winner, including last year in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex – and Linda Southern-Heathcott – CEO and President of Spruce Meadows, and previous Canadian Olympic showjumper (Atlanta 1996).
Q to Martin Fuchs [MF]: Martin, if I may come to you first – it is great to have you with us, one-year-ago you mastered what is often considered to be one of the toughest courses in the sport to win, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Can you take us back to that day and tell us how you felt in that moment, and how do you feel coming back this year to defend your title?
Martin Fuchs, MF: Spruce Meadows is a very special venue. My father competed here for many years and always said it was the best show in the world. Although he never managed to win, he often said how incredible it would be if I could one day win the Grand Prix. Last year, I brought my top horse Leone Jei back after competing in the Grand Prix in 2022. I made a mistake that year, and I decided to keep bringing him back until we won. It felt spectacular to win here last year. As the last rider to go, I felt the pressure to be fast and clear, but I was confident in our chances. I even reminded myself not to celebrate too soon and told myself to finish the course first! In the end, I couldn’t help myself and I couldn’t contain my excitement. Securing the biggest win of my career at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament by winning the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, stands as one of my greatest accomplishments.
Q to MF: So fast forward a year, how are you feeling about defending your Grand Prix victory? Are you feeling the pressure? How are you preparing for Sunday?
MF: I feel less pressure than in previous years because it was such a big goal of mine to win here. I feel like now we have won it, there is less pressure and we can try to enjoy just giving our best shot.
My horse Leone Jei feels great. Yesterday, he jumped his tenth round here at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and it was the first time in a while he had a pole down. We had one two years ago in the Grand Prix when I misjudged a fence. Honestly, I was slightly pleased he had a pole down yesterday. When a horse has such a long streak of clear rounds, you start to wonder when the poles will eventually fall – so hopefully, we’ve gotten that out of the way before Sunday... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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