May is badminton month. Over the next few days, multitudes of eventing fans would have made the pilgrimage to Badminton Hall’s park to see the best couples in the world in action. But Corona wants it different. A good opportunity to remember a legendary ride over the most difficult route in the world!
Three Olympic gold medals and one team silver medal, all championship titles that equestrian sport has to award, and still in top shape today, at the age of 20 – Michael Jung’s Württemberg gelding Sam is a legend. Together with his rider, he has set new standards in versatility riding. A fantastic horse, an outstanding rider, together a stroke of genius!
In 2016, they added another four-star victory to their long list of successes when they won the world’s toughest event in badminton. But that wasn’t enough, with this victory Michael Jung was certain of the Rolex Grand Slam, which is won by the rider who wins the four (today five) star eventing in Kentucky, Burghley and Badminton in a row. Before Jung, only one rider had succeeded, namely Pippa Funnell in 2003.
But just as they overshadowed everything that had come before, so did Jung and Sam this time too – to crown the season with the second Olympic victory in a row. But about that another time.
First of all, the legendary ride through the park of the Duke of Beaufort.
Looking back: Michael Jung makes Badminton history in 2016
Last week we shared William Fox-Pitt Eventing’s fantastic 2015 cross country performance with Chilli Morning.Today’s Wednesday lunchtime treat is a return to German rider Michael Jung’s 2016 storming cross country round with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.They went on to jump a superb clear in the final Show Jumping phase to not only secure the Badminton trophy, but also the ROLEX Gram Slam – the most valuable prize in Eventing – for consecutively winning Burghley, Kentucky and then Badminton Horse Trials. Not only is it wonderful to watch ‘Michi’ and Sam’s breathtaking round but it is lovely to hear the wonderful voice of our much missed friend, Mike Tucker.
Posted by Badminton Horse Trials on Wed 26th Feb 2020
About Sam
Sam was born in Aidlingen, Baden-Württemberg, with Günter Seitter and grew up in the main and state stud Marbach. While he was initially supposed to be ridden as a hunting horse by his then owner Sabine Kreuter, she entrusted the bay boy, who was difficult at a young age.
He has an explosive temperament and needs absolute rest, especially on the day off, so that he doesn’t get too hot. The Olympic champion calls it “a little over-motivated”. In 2006 the couple finished second at the World Championships for young eventing horses in Lion d’Angers, and a year later also in the seven-year-olds. In 2009 they drove home with the bronze medal from the EM in Fontainebleau. A year later they won the individual title at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Since then, the Stan the Man xx son has won every championship he has gone to.
After the world championship, however, it was not clear how the top horse would go on. Sabine Kreuter owned 60 percent of Sam and the Jung family owned 40 percent. While Kreuter wanted to sell him dearly, a heart defect was discovered, which, however, had no effect on performance until the end of his career. Sam was able to continue riding after the DOKR and the Württemberg breeder Erich Single acquired the ownership shares from Kreuter.
Just a few months later, he won the 2011 European Championships in both the individual and team standings. In 2015 they became the first German couple to win the four-star classic in Burghley, UK, although Jung did the round of the terrain with a broken ankle. It was the start of the Rolex Grand Slam – see above – to which Rocana also contributed with her victory in Kentucky.
A unique career is coming to an end
In 2018, Sam ended his career at the age of 18. The successful rider William Fox-Pitt (GBR) once answered the question which horse he would like to buy: “Sam! And I would put it out on the pasture immediately so that it can no longer be dangerous to us! “
Altogether he and Jung have won 24 high-class eventing events, eleven of which ended the test with the dressage result. 18 times they stayed below 40 minus points.
We have summarized a few details from the star’s life in private for you.
And because Sam loved to sweep through the grounds, but hated award ceremonies and similar fanfare about himself, there was no big public farewell for him. But instead a thank you video to a horse that made its rider what he is today, and in which Michael Jung himself once again says thank you to his congenial partner:
