Martin Fuchs wins second leg of Jumping World Cup Final
Home crowd erupts as Leone Jei delivers in Basel jump-off
April 5, 2025 at 1:59 AMBy s.wilhelm
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and his trusted partner Leone Jei soared to victory in the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2025 in Basel. The crowd at St. Jakobshalle erupted as the duo delivered a thrilling jump-off round to take the win in Friday night’s 1.60m Table A competition.
Max Kühner (AUT) and Elektric Blue P finished second, while Alessandra Volpi (USA) claimed third with Gypsy Love—the only combination to jump clear in both rounds so far.
Out of 38 starters, only six produced clear rounds over Gérard Lachat’s technical course to qualify for the jump-off. Among them were Fuchs, Kühner, Volpi, Daniel Coyle (IRL), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), and overnight leader Julien Epaillard (FRA).
In a surprise move, Epaillard—who had already secured a strong points lead—opted not to jump off, conserving his homebred Donatello d’Auge for Sunday’s final. As a result, Fuchs’s fast and fearless round with Leone Jei sealed the win.
Jump-Off Results – Day 2
- Martin Fuchs (SUI) – Leone Jei – 0 faults / 41.85 sec
- Max Kühner (AUT) – Elektric Blue P – 0 faults / 42.32 sec
- Alessandra Volpi (USA) – Gypsy Love – 0 faults / 45.78 sec
- Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) – Elysium – 4 faults / 42.44 sec
- Daniel Coyle (IRL) – Incredible – 4 faults / 47.25 sec
- Julien Epaillard (FRA) – Donatello d’Auge – Did not jump-off
Volpi, making her Final debut, is now the only rider with three consecutive clear rounds and heads into Sunday’s two-round decider with strong momentum.
Current Standings (after two rounds, converted to penalties):
- Julien Epaillard (FRA): 0 penalties
- Martin Fuchs (SUI): 2 penalties
- Henrik von Eckermann (SWE): 2 penalties
- Ben Maher (GBR): 3 penalties
- Lillie Keenan (USA): 3 penalties
- Kevin Staut (FRA): 3 penalties
The top 30 combinations now advance to Sunday’s Final, with two more rounds to decide the 2025 World Cup champion. After the first round, the top 20 will qualify for the second and final round.
The stage is set for a dramatic finish in Basel.
Related Articles
USEF Offers Members the Chance To Help Horses in Need
New in 2026, the U.S. Equestrian Federation unveiled a new feature called Lifetime Care Contacts, allowing USEF members to add themselves to a horse’s digital USEF record signifying that if the horse should someday be in need of financial assistance or a home, they would like to be contacted.
Other4 hours ago
Gallop the Globe: Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington
Welcome to Wellington, Florida — the undisputed winter equestrian capital of the world. Every year, this sun-soaked destination transforms into a dazzling hub where elite riders, world-class horses, and passionate fans converge for a season of unparalleled competition.
OtherJanuary 22, 2026
Latest News
Kent Farrington Races to Victory in $117,000 FEI CSI5* Welcome 1.50m
Kent Farrington topped a competitive international field in the $117,000 FEI CSI5* Welcome 1.50m, delivering a fast and fault-free round aboard Orafina to stop the clock at 33.88 seconds. Farrington’s precise turns and forward pace made all the difference in the high-stakes class.
Jumping2 hours agoThen and Now: Kent Farrington’s 2016 Legacy Meets 2026 Momentum
Some seasons define a career. Others redefine the sport. For Kent Farrington, 2016 did both — and nearly a decade later, the parallels heading into 2026 are impossible to ignore.Farrington’s 2016 campaign remains one of the most memorable years in modern show jumping.
Jumping3 hours agoA CSI3* Winning Round for Philip McGuane and His Lady at WEC
Ireland's Philip McGuane and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare My Lady van de Krekel sported the blue ribbon from the $32,000 1.45m CSI3* Winning Round Friday morning during week four of WEC Ocala's Winter Spectacular.In second and thirdCharlotte Jacobs and Thomascourt Ballypatrick, the11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, finished in second place by just 0.
Jumping4 hours ago