European champions storm to World Cup victory with borrowed equipment and breathtaking jump-off
Richard Vogel and United Touch S proved why they’re amongst the world’s elite with a commanding victory in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Basel on Sunday, delivering a jump-off masterclass that left a packed St. Jakobshalle arena gasping in admiration.
The 2025 European individual champions relegated Kim Emmen (Netherlands) and Imagine N.O.P. to second place, with Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen (Norway) aboard Equine America Harwich VDL claiming third in the €330,000 qualifier.
A technical test
Course designer Gérard Lechat crafted a demanding track that proved formidable for the 40 pre-qualified starters. Only seven combinations managed clear rounds to advance to the jump-off, whilst a further 16 lowered just a single fence – testament to the precision required.
The course featured a delicate 1.62-metre plank at fence 13 that fell seven times, whilst a combination proved particularly challenging due to a tight five-stride approach from a 1.58-metre oxer set against the arena edge.
Donald Whitaker (Great Britain) and Millfield Colette were first to go clear, followed by Gulliksen. The second half saw Kim Emmen and Imagine N.O.P. – fresh from winning Friday’s Grand Prix – deliver their third clear round, joined by Martin Fuchs (Switzerland), Julien Epaillard (France), Vogel, and young Swiss star Gaëtan Joliat.
Jump-off drama
Whitaker drew the short straw of going first in the jump-off and, facing a stellar field of former and reigning champions, opted for speed. Two fences down dashed his hopes. Gulliksen played it safe, going clear in 46.85 seconds to set the standard.
Emmen upped the ante significantly, navigating tighter lines to stop the clock at 41.55 seconds. The Dutch rider appeared poised for a historic double, having already claimed Friday’s Grand Prix.
Fuchs and Epaillard both lowered a fence, keeping Emmen’s dream alive with just two combinations remaining.
A masterclass in motion
Then came Vogel and United Touch S.
The pair entered with what observers described as ‘regal presence,’ the 14-year-old Westphalian stallion appearing serene and composed. What followed was described as breathtaking.
Vogel effortlessly omitted strides throughout the course, negotiating a curving seven-stride line in six, then again shortening from there to the combination elements. The 14-year-old stallion made these bold moves look effortless, remaining relaxed throughout.
Their turn from fence 13 to the intricate Emmental cheese wall at fence 16 drew gasps from the crowd. Vogel sliced well inside his rivals’ tracks, jumping the fence at an ‘eye-watering’ angle to hit the split time over a second faster than Emmen.
With three fences remaining and the victory effectively secured, Vogel simply let United Touch S cruise home. They crossed the finish in 40.12 seconds to rapturous applause.
When Joliat lowered two fences, the young Swiss rider settled for seventh, confirming Vogel’s emphatic victory.
Borrowed equipment
In a remarkable display of sportsmanship, Vogel revealed he competed using equipment loaned by defending champion Julien Epaillard. United Touch S had encountered difficulties earlier in the week, and the Frenchman suggested and loaned a hackamore and softer chain setup.
“I was happy that I won the game today, but I’m very grateful to him!” Vogel said, acknowledging that Epaillard’s generosity helped him defeat the Frenchman.
Banner week
The World Cup victory capped a stellar week in Basel for Vogel, who also claimed five-star wins on Phenyo van het Keysersbos and Diamant de Casall.
“We are always very excited to get to Basel,” Vogel said. “It’s a wonderful show with the best conditions not just for the horses, obviously, but also for our grooms and us riders as well. We’re delighted with how United is jumping and fighting for us inside this beautiful arena.”
World Cup standings
After eight legs of the Western European League, Vogel now leads with 56 points, overtaking Willem Greve (Netherlands), who sits second on 52 points. Julien Epaillard moved to third with 46 points, Max Kühner (Austria) holds fourth on 45, whilst Gulliksen’s podium finish propelled him into fifth with 40 points.
The series continues in Leipzig on 18 January, then moves to Amsterdam on 25 January and to Bordeaux on 8 February.
For Basel, the victory reinforced the venue’s status as one of the circuit’s premier stops. Having hosted the 2025 World Cup Final and already selected to host the 2028 World Cup Final, the St. Jakobshalle continues to stage showjumping’s finest moments.