All Change: Three Michael Jung Mounts to Fly New Flags in 2020

Michael Jung and the wunderkind Choclat storm into the lead at Le Lion. Photo by EquusPix.

‘Tis the season … for high-profile horse transfers, that is. That’s because the FEI’s official deadline for horses changing hands ahead of next year’s Olympics is looming — interested buyers and sellers only have until the 15th of January to complete the transaction and reregister the horse in order to be eligible for the Games.

This tends to make for a flurry of movement in December, as deals are ironed out and announcements made. Sunday (15 December) proved to be a particularly big day at Michael Jung‘s Horb am Necker base, as three horses of varying levels made their way to new homes.

Michael Jung and Creevagh Cooley at Boekelo. Photo by William Carey.

The most significant of these is Creevagh Cooley, the eleven-year-old mare with whom Michael finished third at Boekelo CCI4*-L in October – the mare’s first attempt at the level. Previously ridden and produced by Sweden’s Selma Hammarström, Michael took the reins this spring, stepping the Irish Sport Horse swiftly up to CCI4*-S with mixed success. Boekelo, however, proved that the inexperienced mare had improved exponentially through the year. Now, Creevagh Cooley will swap flags again, this time from German to Australian as she joins Andrew Hoy‘s string.

Look who has just arrived at Somerby Stables! A very warm welcome to Paula & David Evans’ @paulavevans CREEVAGH COOLEY! pic.twitter.com/BPK5CLn9D2

— Andrew Hoy (@HoyEventing) December 18, 2019

Eight-year-old Hanoverian Choclat will make his way to Ireland to be campaigned by Joseph Murphy after three successful seasons under both Michael and stable jockey Pietro Grandis. Though only competing at CCI3*-S currently, Choclat certainly looks to have an impressive future ahead of him: he first captured the public’s attention back in 2017, when he won a CCI2*-L at Strzegom on a finishing score of 15.2. Though he’s not quite dipped that low since, the Contendro I gelding has proven to be a consistent 20s-finisher, adding exciting depth to Joseph’s string, headed by new ride Cesar V.

Joining the departures list is eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse Journeyman, who has been competed exclusively through the 2* level by Italian rider Pietro Grandis under Michael’s tutelage, and who will now head to the U.S. to join Gabby Dickerson‘s string.