Michael Jung: From apprentice to Olympic champion
Michael "Michi" Jung - the all-round gold rider: double Olympic champion, first ever Grand Slam winner, qualified rider, master of equine management and honorary citizen of the town of Horb am Neckar. In 2012, he was the first eventing rider to become Olympic, World and European Champion in the individual classification at the same time.
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Career: From apprentice to Olympic champion
Michael Jung was born on July 31, 1982, in Bad Soden am Taunus. Shortly afterwards, he moved to the family's riding facility in Horb-Altheim. Thanks to his father, Joachim Jung, who was highly successful in the saddle, Michael enjoyed a solid education in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. His first successes were not long in coming. Jung took part in his first competitions at the age of eight. He was already successfully competing in eventing with his horse Maricos in 1999 and won his first title at the GermanJunior Championships. The pair secured team gold in the same year at the European Championships in Vittel. Michael also went straight for gold professionally: after finishing secondary school, he trained as a horse farmer on his parents' farm. He won the national competition for horse managers and just eight years later he was able to call himself a master horse manager: Graduating with honors in all disciplines! Michael has enjoyed countless successes at national and international levels and has also helped run his parents' business for many years. Under the motto "Success can only be achieved together", the Jung family runs their riding school in Horb, Baden-Württemberg.
Michael Jung: his greatest successes
He loves to ride. In addition to competition riding, his passion lies in training young horses. However, Michael Jung can be more than just proud of his successes:
- 2024: Olympic Games Paris (FRA)
Gold in the individual eventing class with Chipmunk FRH - 2021: Olympic Games (JPN)
Individual 8th place, team 4th place with Chipmunk FRH - 2017: European Championships Strzegom (POL)
Individual 2nd place and team 10th place with Fischerrocana - 2016: Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
individual victory and team silver with La Biostheique Sam FBW - 2015: European Championships Blair Castle (GBR)
Team and individual gold (Takinou) - 2014: World Equestrian Games Caen (FRA)
Team gold, individual silver (Rocana) - 2014: World Championships for Young Eventing Horses in Le Lion d'Angers (FRA)
Victory (Star Connection) - 2013: European Championships Malmö (SWE)
Team and individual gold - 2012: London Olympic Games (GBR)
Team and individual gold (Sam) - 2011: European Championships Luhmühlen (GER)
Team and individual gold (Sam) - 2010: World Equestrian Games Kentucky (USA)
Team fifth, individual gold (Sam) - 2009: European Championships Fontainebleau (FRA)
Team Eight, Individual Bronze (Sam) - 2009: World Cup Final Strzegom (POL)
Victory (Sam) - 2007: World Championships Young Eventing Horses Le Lion d'Angers (FRA)
Individual silver (Sam) and 13th place (Desperados) - 2003: European Championships Bialy Bor (POL), Young Riders
Team Silver, Individual Gold (Marco) - 1999: European Championships Vittel (FRA), juniors
team silver, individual ninth (Maricos)
Michael Jung and his greatest success horses
Michael has already had a number of four-legged partners in his career. However, the following horses stand out in particular:
Fischer Chipmunk FRH (*2008)
Chipmunk FRH comes from the breeding of Dr. Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff, who combined Hanoverian and thoroughbred horses for athleticism and willingness to perform. The breeding line goes back to 1905. In October 2018 Chipmunk FRH moved to Michael Jung, supported by the DOKR and sponsors, after the collaboration with Julia Krajewski ended. Michael Jung and Chipmunk FRH won individual gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, marking Jung's third individual Olympic victory.
La Biosthetique Sam FBW (*2000)
This horse was a long-time partner of Michael Jung and contributed significantly to his successes. Together they won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, among others. Sam competed in 63 international eventing competitions. He was officially retired from the sport in 2018.
FischerRocana FST
Another of Michael Jung's successful horses. The mare competed in 52 international competitions and was in the top five 30 times. She has been used for breeding since 2021 and has already given birth to her first foals.
FischerTakinou
Takinouhas numerous victories up to four-star level to his name. To top it all off, the pair won double gold at the European Championships in Blair Castle.
Only the tough get into the garden
Unfortunately, even champions cannot avoid defeat or a fall. Tournament and championship plans are thwarted and the forced break strikes. But as is so often the life case, how do you deal with it? Michi is a true "master of the comeback" and proves his true strength time and time again. With his iron stamina and determination, we have already witnessed impressive comebacks. Despite falling in the second round: In 2015, Michael fell with his first horse at Burghley but didn't let that stop him from taking on the course with La Biosthetique Sam. Result: clear! He was the first German to win this competition. Just a few days later, he was also able to hold his own at the European Championships in Blair Castle with fischerTakinou: double gold. The result in the hospital was less pleasing: a fractured tibia. Michael was operated on directly in England.
4 facts about Michael Jung: you should know!
- Rider rocket with records: Michael Jung, is THE eventing rider from Germany. He is not only a gold medal collector but also set a new world record in May 2022 new world record with FischerChimpunk FRH in Kentucky in May 2022. There he achieved the best result in history.
- Olympic gold in a double pack: Jung snatched the coveted Olympic gold in eventing not just once, but twice, and that in consecutive games!
- Horse whisperer in the spotlight: Jung is not only a master in the saddle but also a true "horse whisperer". His close relationship with his four-legged partners is legendary.
- Brand new in the stable: just a few days ago it was announced that Hasenacher Balou Couleur will be joining the Jung stable. The 11-year-old gelding began his career with Andrew Hoy in eventing. However, Hoy quickly noticed the horse's love and talent for the show jumping course. Good luck Balou and Michi!
Michael Jung - in a league of his own: a welcome phenomenon in the equestrian industry. His partnership with horses such as La Biosthetique Sam FBW and Rocana has led him to many victories. He is not only appreciated for his sporting achievements but also for his respect and connection to his horses.