After three consecutive gold medals at young rider events, Martin Fuchs won the title of Swiss Elite Champion on Sunday 28th September in Sion, the first time he has competed in the category! He doesn't intend to stop there, and has his sights set extremely high: the World Cup competitions in Oslo (NOR) and Helsinki (FIN) in the coming weeks and in the longer term, the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016.

To understand the story, we need to look at how it all started. One summer's day in Istanbul in 2006, Martin Fuchs meticulously cleared the obstacles and crossed the finish line in first position. At just 14 years old, he had won the title of European show-jumping vice-champion in the "children's" category. Since then, the Zurich-born rider has become one of the brightest hopes in his discipline. 

A brief history: after starting riding at the age of 7, Martin Fuchs joined the world rankings of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports when he was 18 (he had already featured aged 16, but lower down the rankings). Over the next two years, he won a bronze medal at the European Junior Championships, and in 2010 was awarded gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. The refinement of his technique is impressive. He combines style, speed and passion, elevating this to a veritable art. 

HERITAGE AND AUDACITY

Martin's star has risen so quickly because he is following a true family tradition. Since the first family equestrian centre opened in 1965, the Fuchs dynasty has overcome high-level obstacles one by one. His grandfather was the first to make his mark on the equestrian world. Now, Martin's father and mother, Thomas and Renata, support their son in a career that they once took by storm. Passion is passed from generation to generation.

Facing challenges together and perpetuating tradition – that Martin Fuchs and ZENITH should meet was almost inevitable. To perform perfect jumps, a horse rider must perfectly control the power of his mount, master its trajectory and speed, and flawlessly determine the number of strides that separate him from the obstacle. In fine watchmaking, the search for perfection requires extreme precision, constant rigour and a never-ending desire for innovation and elegance. 

SPLIT-SECOND ACCURACY

Both on horseback and in the world of fine watchmaking, competition is fierce and the slightest detail makes all the difference. The focus is on the highest level of workmanship, and there is a philosophy of leaving nothing to chance. Martin Fuchs and ZENITH are a natural pairing, and their commitment goes hand in hand with real discernment. How could it be otherwise when striving for excellence every day?

MARTIN FUCHS – KEY DATES

• 1992: born in Bietenholz in the Zurich Oberland
• 1998: first pony, …
• 2006: European show-jumping vice-champion in the "children's" category
• 2008: entered the world rankings of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports 
• 2009/2010: bronze medallist at the European Junior Championships
• 2011: bronze medallist at the European Junior Championships both as a team and an individual and third place at the CSI Grand Prix in Calgary Spruce Meadows
• 2012: European Young Riders champion as an individual and European vice-champion in the team event, winner of the Austrian Grand Prix
• 2013: winner of the Bavarian Grand Prix, the Calgary Six-Bar and the Geneva CSI
• 2014: Swiss Elite Champion

THREE FACTS ABOUT MARTIN FUCHS 

• His two favourite horses are called Principal and Karin 
• He is driven by adrenaline and a competitive spirit
• His favourite type of competition is a Grand Prix with a jump-off

Pictures - Credits Johann Sauty