During the 2025 CCI5*-L Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event awards’ ceremony, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joked that if Germany’s Michael Jung wins the event again, the top eventer might consider moving to the Bluegrass State. Following today’s show jumping, Jung claimed his fifth Kentucky CCI5*-L victory on a final score of 25.0 and his second win with eventing partner fischerChipmunk FRH.

“So many things can go wrong. It’s happened to me a few times, but I really believe in my horse and in this place,” Jung said. “I always had a lot of luck here, and I’m very thankful for my supporters, my owners, my family and all the people that work in the background. I sit here and enjoy everything, but this is really a big win for everybody on my team, for all the other horses I can ride and train with and everyone who helped me get here.”

Jung and his team haven’t made any decisions on when it might be time for the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding to step down from competing at the top levels, but for now it looks like “Chippy” is still loving his job. “He keeps looking super strong and as he’s gotten older, he’s more experienced. Hopefully, he stays like this and has fun and his ears are in front when he starts the cross country,” Jung said. “He’s getting so well balanced and feels really motivated. So, hopefully a few more years.”

Following today’s show jumping, Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 held on to their steady second slot, and Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop Du Matz took third.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 Seal Second

Even though Jung came in with a huge cushion after jumping clear during Saturday’s cross country with 2.4 time penalties on a score of 21.0, Boyd Martin fans were still biting their nails as they rooted on the top-performing American rider and his 2024 Paris Olympics reserve mount, 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3. Although he and “Conner” went clear, on a final score of 32.0, they weren’t able to surpass Jung.

While Martin—the ever-consummate competitor—would have preferred the first-place slot, he achieved massive success this weekend with three horses finishing in the top seven of the CCI5*-L leaderboard.

“I’m very, very blessed at the moment to have just a group of incredible horses,” Martin said. “I’ve ridden a lot of horses around this competition, and it’s just a pleasure to ride freakishly talented animals and I’m very pleased with all three of them.”

The Making of a Great

The humble Jung was undoubtedly an inspiration to his fellow eventers. Martin noted that Jung is an inspiration to his own riding.

“Going into today, I figured I had two chances of winning. Maybe Michael drank too much bourbon last night or maybe he goes off course,” Martin kidded. “In all seriousness, though, I think he’ll be remembered as one of the greatest eventers in his lifetime. I often watch videos of him and try and copy him. I’ve never seen a rider so strong in all three phases.”

Meade agreed that Jung will be remembered as one of the eventing greats. “I’ve followed the sport from the 50s, 60s, 70s—before I was even born, and I think Michi is hands down, without a doubt, the greatest event rider there’s ever been,” Meade said. “And I don’t think there will ever be anyone better, and I think we are living in a moment with an extraordinary thing. I think often when it’s happening at the time, people don’t appreciate it, but I think he will be remembered in 50 years’ time as the best there ever was.”

While Jung says he loves competing at Kentucky and the other big events, it all comes down to the horses. “Even without these events, I just really love to ride the horses. When I was young, directly from the beginning, I loved to ride and train horses,” Jung said. “I really love the animals and I’m really happy with what I’m doing every day.”

For More:

• Like many of the KY3DE riders, who have morning travel plans, our editors have to hit the road early tomorrow morning to head to their homebases. But we gleaned so many valuable insights and training advice from top eventers from around the globe this past week, and we can’t wait to share it all with you. Plus, we’ll be having our new annual “Cutest K3DE Pup” contest and the best fashions of this year’s event.
• For more on our live coverage of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, click here.

Thanks to Kent Nutrition Group and Blue Seal for our coverage of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.