Oslo, Norway – October 11, 2026 – Austria’s Max Kühner (AUT) and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue fired the first major shot of the 2026/2027 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League season on Sunday, claiming a thrilling opening-leg victory at the Agria Oslo Horse Show (NOR).
Only nine combinations from 40 starters progressed to the jump-off and, with six producing clear rounds, it ultimately came down to speed.
Kühner proved quickest in 40.52 seconds, edging Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco into second on 41.51, with Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Fortjump du Beaumenil third in 41.53.
For Kühner, the result also delivered the first major haul of Western European League points and an early advantage in the race towards the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE) next March.
“It’s a very good feeling to start like that, of course, and it gives us a lot of motivation for the rest of the season,” Kühner reflected. “Gothenburg is for sure somewhere we want to go. That’s our aim, to get there.”
As the competition got under way in front of an enthusiastic crowd, clear rounds came early before course designer Fredrik Malm’s (SWE) track began to take its toll.
The 13-obstacle course featured 16 jumping efforts, with a time allowed of 72 seconds, and struck a careful balance between technicality and rhythm. Faults were scattered throughout, with the line at 9A and 9B and the final grey plank among the particularly influential questions as the field was gradually whittled down.
Smolders, who once again found himself on the podium after another accomplished performance with Monaco, was full of praise for the course.
“I want to give a compliment to the course designers,” he said. “We had very good courses this week. The start of the course was not too difficult, with an easy build-up, so the horses could catch a good rhythm, and we had the right amount of clears. It was good sport.”
Those nine clears set the stage for an electrifying jump-off against the clock, with a twisting nine-fence course providing the final test.
First to return, Monaco and Smolders immediately set the standard, jumping clear and breaking the beam in 41.51 seconds to add yet another top result to the 17-year-old gelding’s impressive record.
After watching the rounds unfold, Kühner knew exactly where he could make his move.
“There were quite a few long distances from two to three and then after the combination,” he explained. “On those long distances I lost a little bit of speed with my horse, so I decided to add one stride there and then to catch it again in the next turn.
“Jacco really knew what I was asking him and did it very well, so I’m very pleased with my long-term partner today.”
That understanding has been years in the making and proved decisive in Oslo as Kühner shaved almost a second from Smolders’ time.
“We know each other,” Kühner added. “When he gives me that feeling, I know something can work out well, and I had it right from the beginning.”
The result leaves Kühner at the top of the Western European League standings with 20 points after the opening leg, ahead of Smolders on 17 and Fuchs on 15. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) sits fourth on 13 points, while Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui (BEL) share fifth on 12.
With the first points secured and the opening battle decided, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League now moves on to Lyon (FRA), with the next qualifier taking place on November 01, 2026.
Final Results – €250,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – Oslo CSI 5*-W
1) Max Kühner (AUT) & EIC Up Too Jacco Blue – 0 / 0 – 40.52
2) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Monaco – 0 / 0 – 41.51
3) Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Fortjump de Beaumenil – 0 / 0 – 41.53
Source: Press Release by Kirsty Pasto for the FEI – Fédération Équestre Internationale
Photos: © FEI / Kim C. Ludin
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