Marvin Jüngel: From talented youngster to two-time derby winner

Career - From the beginnings to international success

Marvin Jüngel was born in Zwickau and showed an early enthusiasm for equestrian sports. When Jüngel was three weeks old, his family moved from Öhringen to Hausdorf. After school, he completed an apprenticeship as an office administrator, but shortly afterwards decided to turn his hobby, show jumping, into a career.

Marvin Jüngel entered international equestrian sport at the age of 17 and quickly impressed with his talent and discipline. He celebrated his first major successes by winning several national competitions before making a name for himself on the international stage.
Marvin Jüngel was awarded the Golden Riding Badge in November 2021 and placed second in the Golden Saddle competition in 2022.

A particular highlight of his career was winning the world's most difficult show jumping competition, the Hamburg Derby in 2023 and 2024. These victories brought Marvin Jüngel international attention and made him a star of the equestrian scene overnight. His mentor, Philipp Schober, one of Saxony's best-known professional riders, accompanied and supported him throughout his career.

He also received an offer from David Will, RIchard Vogel and Sophie Hinners to ride the horses at Gestüt Prinzenberg in Pfungstadt. Pfungstadt is the second location of the Vogel, Hinners and Will trio - VW Equestrian.  

Marvin Jüngel's greatest successes

Marvin Jüngel has already celebrated numerous successes in his young career. He has already achieved many national and international successes. In an interview with ClipMyHorse.TV, the young show jumper tells us which successes he particularly remembers.

The most important of these include:

• 2024: Victory at the 93rd German Show Jumping Derby in Hamburg (CSI 4*) with Balou's Erbin
• 2023: Victory at the 92nd German Show Jumping Derby in Hamburg (CSI 4*) with Balou's Erbin
• 2022: Saxon Champion of Young Riders, 2nd place in the 1st Central German Championships 2022 in Prussendorf with Jyolga
• 2021: 5th place in the Grand Prix of Saxony (class S*** with winning round) with Can Jump 2

These successes are testament to his exceptional talent and tireless commitment in training. 

The Hamburg derby

Marvin Jüngel won the Hamburg Derby two years in a row and impressed in the demanding Derby course with his horse Balou's Erbin. A particularly difficult obstacle in the Hamburg Derby is the "Planke" after the wall, a source of error that Marvin mastered with ease. The "Pulvermannsgrab" and the "Holsteiner Wegesprünge" also pose major challenges, which he mastered with skill and a little luck. But how do you prepare a horse for such a demanding course?

Preparation for the derby

Preparation for the derby began back in March. Marvin Jüngel and his team exercised the horses at least twice a day, in addition to walking in the paddock. A large part of the training took place in the field, where the galloping sessions were continuously increased. The aim was to get the horses fit enough to cope with long galloping sessions in the forest without any problems.

Training the derby obstacles

A particularly difficult obstacle at the Hamburg Derby is the "Planke" after the Wall. The "Pulvermannsgrab" and the "Holsteiner Wegesprünge" also pose great challenges. It is important to prepare yourself and your horse for these obstacles, as they can also be difficult for the horse to assess if they have not been practiced beforehand.

Thanks to a friend in Leipzig, Marvin had access to replica derby obstacles such as the wall, the plank, the Pulvermannsgrab and the Holsteiner Wegesprünge. These obstacles enabled him to prepare perfectly for the demands of the Hamburg Derby.

Cross-country training plays a major role for Marvin Jüngel. The varied routes around the many ponds ensure that the horses are both physically and mentally challenged and relaxed. Every horse goes off-road at least once a week, which is important for both young and experienced horses.

Marvin Jüngel did not prepare himself physically or mentally for the derby. His daily work with the horses keeps him fit anyway and ensures that he is well prepared physically.

Connection to Balou's heiress

Marvin Jüngel rides Balou's heiress for five years. They first met at a small show in Brandenburg, where she immediately impressed him. Later, the two crossed paths again by chance. Marvin tells us how it came about and what makes this chestnut mare so special when we visited him and Balou's Heiress:

Marvin Jüngel's horses

Marvin Jüngel has a special connection to his horses. His best-known horses include

Balou's heiress 

Balou's Heiress (*2009) is the horse with which Marvin Jüngel won the Hamburg Derby in 2023 and 2024. Marvin Jüngel rides Balou's Heiress for five years. They first met at a small show in Brandenburg, where she immediately impressed him. Later, the opportunity arose to take her on and they have been a successful team ever since.

Balou's heiress is characterized by her ambitious and sometimes bitchy character. She has a strong personality, which is particularly evident on the course. Despite her idiosyncrasies, she is an outstanding partner who always strives to perform at her best.

Jolie Lafee

Jolie Lafee (*2010) is a dark bay mare and has also helped Marvin to several victories and is an important part of his team. She is also the best friend of Marvin's successful horse Balou's Erbin. 

Colorful Rebel D'Or Z 

A gray stallion (*2017) that the Jüngel family bought via a video. The stallion is characterized by his well-behaved, calm character. Jüngel has already presented him at several shows. They were also present at the World Championships for Young Show Jumpers in Lanaken, even though Marvin says it was still a little too early for the stallion. Marvin tells us in an interview what makes Colourful Rebel D'Or Z special and why the two have a strong bond:

Other horses in Marvin Jüngel's stable are:

• Koradina R (*2014), bay mare
• DSP Kontendra S (*2015), gray mare
• Pessoa C (*2015), gray stallion
• Vip-Girl (*2015), bay mare
• Kunigunde (*2016), bay mare

The Jüngel family

Marvin Jüngel is an inspiring personality away from the equestrian sport. He lives in Hausdorf and enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends. His father, an experienced rider, and his mother support him in his career. 

"Horses are a family affair for us," says Jüngel in the interview.

Marvin Jüngel grew up in a horse-loving family. His stepfather André Starke and his mother Sonja Jüngel have always supported and accompanied him. After the Derby victories, there were also several offers for Balou's heir. You can tell with the Jüngel family that the horses are part of the family, because Balou's Heiress should stay with the family forever. Says Sonja Jüngel:

"Balou's Heiress is simply such a fascinating horse. I can't give her away. She doesn't deserve to just be passed on now. She should stay with us and enjoy her retirement with us later." - Sonja Jüngel about Balou's Heiress.

In our interview, he talks openly about his family, his friendship with his horses and his plans for the future:

His plans for the future are ambitious: He wants to win more international tournaments and secure a place at the Olympic Games.

Marvin Jüngel plans to continue to take part in major tournaments in the future and continue to work on his technique and strategy. His goal is to continuously improve and perhaps break Nelson Pessoa's record of seven derby victories and establish himself as one of the best show jumpers in the world.

Conclusion

Marvin Jüngel is undoubtedly a rising star in the show jumping world. With a remarkable career ranging from early successes in national competitions to his impressive victories in the Hamburg Derby, he has quickly made a name for himself in the equestrian world. His dedication, discipline and deep connection to his horses, especially Balou's Heiress, are central elements of his success. Supported by his horse-loving family and accompanied by experienced mentors such as Philipp Schober, Marvin Jüngel shows that passion and hard work can lead to great success. His future goals, including competing at the Olympic Games and breaking records, illustrate his ambition and potential to further establish himself as one of the best show jumpers in the world. Marvin Jüngel is not only a talented rider, but also an inspiring personality who inspires through his successes and love of equestrian sport.