ROAD TO ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL: RICHARD VOGEL

RICHARD VOGEL (GER) - 24/03/1977 

The young German rider who has quickly climbed the world rankings in the past four years is making his debut in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final last year in the arena that applauded his breathtaking win in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva 2023. Vogel confirmed his place in the showjumping Olympus with a stunning performance on United Touch S, the horse that propelled him into the upper echelons of the sport.

Ever since he was a child, horses have been in his mind and heart. He was fortunate to be born into a family that allowed him to cultivate this passion. His family lived in southern Germany, about an hour from Stuttgart. His paternal grandfather had a farm where Richard, under the guidance of his mother, realised his childhood dream of riding. He decided early on that his future lay in the equestrian world. Vogel left school at the age of 17 and took up his first job with the Herbert family, who specialise in the training of young horses. The two and a half years he spent at Ludger Beerbaum's stables in Riesenbeck were, as he himself admits, a turning point in his professional training, and attending the Young Riders Academy was also very important.

Since December 2023 Vogel has been a member of the Board of the International Jumping Riders Club.

Chat on the sidelines

Last year in Geneva you said you had your mind set on the European Championship and you made it. What have you set your mind on next year then?

Next year the highlight of the season will take place in a very special venue for us Germans and I think for every rider in the world. There is the World Championship in Aachen, and for any German rider to have the World Championships at home in a venue like Aachen is something outstanding and something we are very much looking forward to.

Talking about last season, your highlights must be the European Championship...

Absolutely, for sure to win a medal on a Championship is something very special. In our first European Championships to bring home the gold medal with United Touch, was just incredible and it's something we will never forget.

United Touch S has actually stolen everybody's heart... Can you just say something about him?

I'm just so thankful to have him, he has taught me so much. I think we grew together as a very good partnership over the past years. Our first major win was in Stuttgart and then the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva. I think everyone kind of knew him and had him on the radar... Even now he is getting better and better and improving. To have him jumping three days clear in a row at the Europeans in La Coruña was fantastic. He was just performing so well. I was very happy and proud I could also give him this medal.

Which horse are you going to take to the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final? Have you already set your mind on it?

No, I'm not 100% decided on that. I will for sure try to take a horse I can be very competitive with. So that's either going to be United Touch S or Cloudio.

@IJRC