Michael Jung and Chipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s the end of an eventing era as just today, reigning World and Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER) has announced the official retirement of his longtime Championship partner, fischerChipmunk FRH. The Hanoverian gelding by Contendro I is 18 this year, and Michael says he is fit and healthy as he steps into this next phase.
We knew it would be coming soon. Ageless as Michael’s horses have seemed, thanks in large part to diligent management of both training and competition selection, the march of time never ceases, and Michael’s made the call to close the curtain while the horse is still in excellent shape. Rather a day too soon, than a day too late, as many a horseman will say.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH collect one more gold medal in Aachen. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to retire fischerChipmunk from competition,” Michael wrote on social media today. “He is doing really well, and it means a lot to me to see him this fit and healthy.
“Individual Olympic gold in Paris, two wins at Kentucky, team gold at the Europeans in Blenheim and, to round it all off, individual gold at the World Championships in Aachen in front of a home crowd – what a journey.
“Of course Chip is staying with me and will enjoy life out in the field even more from now on. I am incredibly grateful for our time together – and it doesn’t end with his retirement from the sport.
“A huge thank you also goes to the fischer group and the DOKR for giving me the chance to ride this exceptional horse and to achieve all these incredible, unforgotteable successes with him!”
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Chipmunk is a horse we’ve been following for the better part of a decade, dating all the way back to his start on the world stage with fellow German Julia Krajewski. He was always an eye-catcher, a world beater in the making. He quickly became synonymous with a virtually assured win when we saw him on entry lists like Kentucky. And while luck didn’t always fall their way, resulting in some real heartbreaker results, it’s not those moments that Michael will remember when he thinks of his time with this horse of a lifetime. For Michael, it was always about learning the most he could about each horse and enjoying the fruits of that labor of trust when he could communicate with them nearly telepathically.
Each ride we witnessed was a masterclass of its own, and we won’t ever forget it. Chipmunk will now join the retired ranks at Michael’s home base that includes past greats like La Biosthetique Sam and fischerRocana FST, a place to call home forever.
Enjoy just a few highlights from the illustrious career of one of the all-time greats. Happy retirement, Chip, and thanks for the ride.
