Michael Jung Announces Retirement of fischerRocana FST

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Today we bid auf Wiedersehen to our mare crush, fischerRocana FST, as Michael Jung this week announced the retirement of his three-time Kentucky winner. The 16-year-old fischerRocana FST (Ituango xx – Rose II, by Carismo) cemented her rightful place among the true eventing legends through her career, which spanned nearly a decade in international competition.

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST became regulars at the then-Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, making four trips to the Bluegrass state from Germany and casually winning three consecutive runnings of the five-star, in 2015, 2016 and 2017. They also finished second at Kentucky in 2018. In 2014, fischerRocana was the FEI World Equestrian Games individual silver medalist (and team gold medalist) with Michael in Normandy.

Michael stated that he plans to breed his star mare and that she will remain at his home base in Horb-Altheim, Germany – suffice it to say we’ll be anxiously awaiting news of her stallion match!

It’s been a true honor to follow this incredible mare’s career. Unassuming to look at, she could always be counted on for an accurate, obedient dressage test and a sure-footed cross country run. Indeed, the mare incurred virtually no penalties on FEI cross country courses; save a freak fall on the flat one retirement at a four-star, and a handful of intentional retirements (fitness runs), her cross country jumping record is squeaky clean.

Michael Jung is notoriously fond of his horses, and his love of this special mare was always evident during every interaction. From watching his intentional warm-up process to following him on social media – and in looking at results from their incredible career together – it’s clear that the pair had one of those finely-tuned relationships that yields the greatest success.

Enjoy a walk through some of our favorite Michael and “Roxie” memories – and please share yours on social media as we wish fischerRocana the happiest and most comfortable of retirements.