Germany’s Christian Kukuk has won gold in Paris after stunning final jump-off with Checker 47

Individual Show Jumping Medalists L:R Silver Medalist Steve Guerdat (SUI), Gold Medalist Christian Kukuk (GER) and Bronze Medalist Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) after Individual Show Jumping Final at the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark

At the Paris 2024 Games in Versailles (FRA) today, after a final that saw only three riders jump clear the big first-round course designed by Spain’s Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo from France, it came down to a nail-biting jump off for the medals.

Christian Kukuk triumphed from silver medallist Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Holland's Maikel van der Vleuten in bronze once again.

The jump-off course proved difficult for even the world’s greatest riders, since only Kukuk jumped it clear with a very fast time of 38.34 seconds, riding the 14-year-old gelding Checker 47.

 

Christian Kukuk (GER) riding Checker 47 during the Individual Show Jumping Final at the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark Christian Kukuk (GER) riding Checker 47 during the Individual Show Jumping Final at the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark

The 2012 Olympic Champion Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and his mare Dynamix de Belheme claimed silver, stopping the clock at 38.38 seconds, with one fence down.

Netherlands' Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z who repeated their bronze from Tokyo with a fence down in 39.12 seconds.

RESULTS

JUMP OFF RESULTS

Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark. L:R Silver Medalist Steve Guerdat (SUI), Gold Medalist Christian Kukuk (GER) and Bronze Medalist Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) after Individual Show Jumping Final at the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.