MAX KÜHNER WINS LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AT LONDON INTERNATIONAL
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First Austrian winner in 36 years as home crowd celebrates dramatic jump-off at ExCeL.
Austria’s Max Kühner and EIC Cooley Jump The Q delivered a masterclass performance on Sunday evening (December 21) to win the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup presented by Agria at London International Horse Show, becoming the first Austrians to claim the title since Thomas Fruhmann in 1989.
In front of a packed ExCeL arena, Kühner produced a flawless jump-off round that demonstrated the exceptional partnership between horse and rider.
“It’s a really good feeling today,” said Kühner after his victory. “In a jump-off like that we listen to the horse and they tell us what’s possible and what’s not. Today we had a very clear communication, I could really feel him telling me what to do and asking which kind of support he needed.”
Mendoza delivers for Britain
Britain’s Jessica Mendoza claimed a thrilling second place aboard I-Cap CL Z, her beloved ‘heart horse’ that she has owned since he was four years old. The pair’s speedy clear round just edged them ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Daniel Deusser (GER) on Bingo Ste Hermelle, who finished third.
“He’s been incredible,” said Mendoza of her 14-year-old partner. “He went to the FEI World Cup Finals three years ago, and since then I’ve let him step down and have fun. He loves going fast.”
Switzerland’s Barbara Schnieper and Escoffier finished fourth, just 0.02 of a second behind Deusser in one of the tightest finishes of the competition.
Further British success
Earlier in the day, London International Ambassador Matthew Sampson (GBR) demonstrated why he’s one of Britain’s top riders by winning the CSI5* Mistletoe Stakes presented by Sport in Mind with the 14-year-old grey stallion Balento C.S. The pair stopped the jump-off clock over a second clear of Britain’s Robert Whitaker and Gentlemen vh Veldhof.
Bettendorf’s hat-trick
Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf capped off a remarkable week by securing his third victory of the show, this time in the CSI5* Reindeer Stakes riding the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Cancun Torel Z. His flawless round snatched victory from Britain’s Jack Whitaker and Valmy de la Lande.
“I took a lot of risks because I really wanted to win the class, and in the end it paid off, but it could have ended differently,” said Bettendorf. “I’m really happy the horse understood what I wanted and he did an amazing job. He’s really scopey and he has a huge stride, even if you don’t see that he has a huge stride. He also has a super mentality.”
Bettendorf’s earlier victories came in the CSI5*-W Champagne Taittinger Speed Stakes and the Longines Christmas Cracker, marking him as one of the stars of the 2025 London International Horse Show.
Looking ahead
The World Cup win provides crucial qualifying points for the Western European League, with the top 18 riders advancing to the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, USA in April 2026.
The London International Horse Show concludes today (Monday, December 22) with the CSI5* Turkish Airlines Grand Prix and the popular Tuffa Boots Jockeys Challenge.
Full results available at londonhorseshow.com
RESULTS SNAPSHOT:
Longines FEI Jumping World Cup (Sunday, December 21):
- Max Kühner (AUT) – EIC Cooley Jump The Q
- Jessica Mendoza (GBR) – I-Cap CL Z
- Daniel Deusser (GER) – Bingo Ste Hermelle
- Barbara Schnieper (SUI) – Escoffier
CSI5 Mistletoe Stakes:
- Matthew Sampson (GBR) – Balento C.S.
- Robert Whitaker (GBR) – Gentlemen vh Veldhof
CSI5 Reindeer Stakes:
- Victor Bettendorf (LUX) – Cancun Torel Z
- Jack Whitaker (GBR) – Valmy de la Lande