The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
International Jumping Riders Club
ROAD TO ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL: Max Kühner
Max Kühner - 15/01/1974 -
This is Max Kühner's second Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final appearance. He made his debut last year with Eic Up Too Jacco Blue, the horse that also took him to seventh place finish at the FEI World Cup Final 2024 in Riyadh. Over the last three years, he has never failed to achieve a significant individual result in any of the major events on the FEI calendar. He finished sixth at the 2022 World Championships in Herning and he confirmed his form at the Olympic Games in Paris, where he finished seventh. He also finished seventh at the 2023 European Championships in Milan where he played a key role in the Austrian team's bronze medal win.
It was a love at first sight what led Max Kühner, as a child, to put horses at the centre of his life.
He has no family connection to horse riding and it all started with an occasional experience during a skiing holiday in Kitzbuel, Austria.
Bavarian from Munich, Max devoted himself to sport and studies with the same drive and passion. He graduated in business administration and is an entrepreneur in the leasing branch.
After competing for Germany for years alongside riders such as Marcus Ehning, Christian Ahlmann and Marco Kutscher, he started riding under the Austrian flag in 2015.
Which horse will you ride in the Rolex JIRC Top Ten and why?
«In the top ten Final I am planning to jump EIC Cooley Jump the Q, owned by my friend Remo Baleri. He feels in good form and produced very consistent results throughout the year. Furthermore I expect a very difficult course and he can jump everything».
What is the moment from last season that you carry in your heart?
«From this season I will always remember the Olympic Games in Paris and my fault on the last fence. Winning and losing are often so close in our sport. But I will also remember the GCT overall win this year which shows that my horses performed consistently well».
What plans do you have for 2025?
«For 2025 I am working on a good plan to grant my top horses the chance to perform at their best and to stay in the top 10. Not too many shows and the right shows for the right horse is the aim. Therefore of course we will need good health and good motivations for a demanding season».
They say the Rolex JIRC Top Ten in Geneva is special... What is the added value of this competition for you?
«The Rolex JIRC Top Ten is something very unique. Only the currently 10 best riders in the world against each other promise the best sport in one of the best venues in the world».