Foto: Michael Jung/fischerRocana
DEFENDING World Champion Michael Jung may ‘only’ have finished second in the Eventing at this WEG in Normandy but his horse, the nine-year-old Fischerrocana FST, was really stepping out of her class.
Joachim Jung, Michael’s father and coach, said: “This is such a limited little mare and she has delivered more than her maximum here. Her World Championship silver in Caen can be compared to the title La Biosthetique Sam won at Lexington in 2010.”
Although this is the first time since 2011 that multi-medalled Michael did not listen to his national anthem from the top spot of the individual podium, he was smiling from ear to ear as he collected his team gold and individual silver medals and he announced: “[Fischerrocana] will never be for sale now.”
The current Olympic and European Champion added: “It was a shame I had to leave Sam at home but I’m lucky enough to have a reserve horse like Fischerrocana.”
Fischer Rocana is a rather unremarkable and small bay mare by the Thoroughbred sire Ituango. She has never looked particularly special but she has the biggest of hearts.
Jung took her on as a five-year old, at first not thinking very much of her, although he admitted that she was always “clever, calm and easy to ride. She concentrated well and was a good jumper. She makes up for her looks by her attitude, fighting her heart out in competition”.
In 2011 when Jung’s career was on the rise and he won his first European Championship title with La Biosthetique Sam, the mousy Fischerrocana FST was starting her rise to the top as well. She trounced a field of young eventers at Le Lion d’Angers as a six-year old and if there were ever thoughts of not keeping her for good then they are firmly forgotten now.
PM
