DSHS_2021_Yumpu

At home with
AT HOME WITH
MARTIN FUCHS & FAMILY
The stables of Martin Fuchs and his family are situated in Wängi, in the north of Switzerland. Six years ago,
the family found they had outgrown their stables in Bietenholtz and purchased a bigger accommodation,
to which they have added new buildings to meet the needs of the expanding business. Last September
there were no less than three horses from the DSHS-auction that also moved into Martin’s stables. Therefor
we found it was high time we paid the family a visit.
What are the features of the stables that are essential to you?
The extra space was essential for us to keep growing and to meet
the needs of the horses to allow them to keep advancing to a
higher level. We have a bigger indoor arena now, larger boxes, a
nice big grass ring and lots of fields. All the horses have outside
facing hatches, sand paddocks etc. They have all they need and
that is what’s most important.
How much were you involved with the building of the newer part
of the stables?
Part of the reason we moved there was to help me grow as a
rider. I was jumping at a continuously higher level back then
and my parents, Thomas and Renata, took charge of the whole
operation. They are very involved in everything and make what I
do possible. They took charge of all the technical aspects of the
new stables, tack rooms, the big new storage barn, the covered
truck parking, and apartments for the grooms. It has been a job
in motion but they have been there through all of it so I could
focus mainly on the sport.
What is your favorite sport at the stables?
On horseback in the grass ring, definitely!
What does a typical day look like when
you are at home?
Usually I ride the horses from 8h00
till 13h00 and after lunch I divide my
time between the necessary office
work, planning shows, horse dealing
etc. When I have the time, I like taking
Chaplin out for a hack to the nearby river.
My father has several clients at the stables
that he trains. When he is away, I help with
the training a little as well.
With your parents, grandfather
and uncle all being successful
equestrians, how big was the chance
you would not pursue the same
career?
Very small! I’ve had a big
advantage to come from such
a background with so many
knowledgeable and experienced
people to help me. My whole family is
invested in my career, and we have the
same goals. It still took a lot of work to get
to where I am today, but the lessons I learned
and support I got made that road a lot easier.
I learned from the best, not only how to ride but also how to treat
a horse to become as good as possible as a combination.
What is your connection to the Hendrix family?
One of my owners, Adolfo Juri, used to buy horses from the
Hendrix family while he was still an owner for my uncle Markus.
One of the top horses my uncle jumped up till 1.60m level came
from Emile, Nirmette. A Dutch bred mare by Ramiro. Our families
have remained close.
MARTIN'S CAREER SHAPING HORSES:
Karin II CH
I jumped my first Grand Prix’s with Karin and
European Junior Championships and my first Nations
Cup.
Principal 12
Principal was also a special horse to me. He took me
round in my first 5* Grand Prix and on many other
classes.
PSG Future
I’ve had him since he was a seven-year-old and
brought him up to top level. He is one of my most
successful Grand Prix horses.
Clooney 51
Obviously. He has played a huge part in my career
so far. Besides the silver medal at the WEG in Tryon,
winning the European Championships in 2019 and
jumping my first Olympic games he means more to
me than victories can tell. He is the most successful
horse in Swiss history, and I am so proud of
him.
Chaplin
This horse is larger than life. He is the biggest
fighter, the coolest horse with such a huge
character. He has won so many Grand Prix and
other top-level classes with me and besides that
also won my heart.
Leone Jei
Winning team gold and individual silver at the 2021
European Championships is quite an achievement
for an only nine-year-old horse. He also place eight
in the Grand Prix of Aachen so I expect this horse will
amount to a lot more in his future career for sure.
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