Rider Spotlight: Martin Fuchs, Swiss Precision, Dublin Legacy

Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei landing the final fence of the 2024 Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland (Photos via RDS Dublin Horse Show)

A Legacy Steeped in History

Martin Fuchs, heir to a Swiss equestrian dynasty, carries on family tradition at Dublin. His father, Thomas Fuchs, a member of Switzerland’s winning 1983 Nations’ Cup team, now serves as assistant coach for the Swiss squad; a presence that adds emotional depth to Martin’s every round. In 2023, Switzerland ended a 40-year gap to clinch the trophy in Dublin, with Martin’s clean round on Leone Jei playing a pivotal role.

Grand Prix Glory

In August 2024, riding Conner Jei, Fuchs claimed the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland at the RDS, part of the Rolex Series, edging out Ireland’s Mark McAuley by just 0.05 s in a tense jump-off. Reflecting on the moment he said,

“It’s a fantastic victory… after my missed dream in Paris… the distance on the last jump was incredible… He is so respectful, and I really wanted to get ahead of Mark”.

Stats and Numbers

• 79% clear‑round rate at CSI5* in 2024 (11 clears in 14 rounds)  

• Topped the leaderboard with 10 wins at 1.60‑m+ during 2024, three more than his closest rivals  

• Over €1.4 million in 5* Grand Prix earnings last year, the most of any rider  

Team & Grooming Edge

Martin Fuchs and groom Sean Vard

Integral to Fuchs’s success is his groom, Sean  Vard, an Irish national based in Switzerland. With meticulous care for Leone and Conner Jei, Vard has become a trusted figure in Fuchs’s team. And, of course, father Thomas Fuchs remains alongside the Swiss squad, an intergenerational team working in harmony.

Martin Fuchs represents the pinnacle of show jumping today: exacting precision, unwavering consistency, and moments of pure sporting drama. With family, trusted team members, and elite horses by his side, he continues to expand his legacy, especially on courses as historic as Dublin’s RDS.

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