After the scandal over training methods, top rider Christian Kukuk shows remorse on the sidelines of the Stuttgart German Masters. National coach Otto Becker also comments.
Olympic show jumping champion Christian Kukuk has responded to the accusation of improper training with his mare and admitted a mistake. “I understand that and I totally see that,” said Kukuk before his first start at the Stuttgart tournament. “I am extremely sorry that I brought the people, our sport and also myself personally into this situation and that I disappointed some.”
A video from the World Cup tournament in Verona shows Kukuk riding his gold horse Just be Gentle using only draw reins while training. This is not allowed in Germany, as the national association FN explains. The officials of the world association FEI did not react in Verona.
What are draw reins?
Draw reins are auxiliary reins recognized by the German Equestrian Association (FN) that can be used in addition to the normal reins. However, their use is restricted in tournaments. The draw reins run from the saddle girth through the bit rings and are held in the rider’s hand. They are intended to influence the horse’s head and neck posture. Incorrect use can lead to obsessive postures and tension, which is why their use is controversial.
Familiar with gut feeling instead of head feeling
“It was a challenging situation for me,” said Kukuk, explaining his approach. The mare was “very excited. But these 30 seconds do not reflect at all what happened in the 45 minutes in which I worked with the horse. Unfortunately, my gut feeling overruled my head feeling. For me it was the best approach to get the tension out of her.” Not listening to his head was the wrong decision.
“It makes me look very bad as a role model, there are no two opinions,” admitted Kukuk, who finished third in Verona after the incident. With the result, the mare proved that she “ultimately forgave me for what was portrayed.”
Christian Kukuk: Rules alone are not enough
One way to improve the situation would be clearer rules, said the Paris gold medalist. “At the end of the day, it also comes down to feeling and empathy – that doesn’t work with rules,” Kukuk continued. It is now important for him to choose a different approach in such situations. A lot has happened to him and those around him in the past few days, the rider from Riesenbeck pointed out media criticism and negative news as well as comments on social networks.
The Stuttgart Grand Prix live on SWR
The German Masters also ends this year with one of the tournament highlights: the Grand Prix of Stuttgart. The SWR will broadcast the decision in the World Cup jumping on Sunday (November 16th) from 4 p.m. live on TV and in the stream swr.de/sport.
“I also think it’s dangerous to reduce a relationship between two living beings to 30 seconds. In a way, you’re being targeted, you’re being branded – and I have to live with that now.” He further explained that the messages sent to him were “terrifying” and that the dynamics surprised him.
Kukuk received support from national coach Otto Becker, who said: “On the one hand, I usually make sure that things like this don’t happen. On the other hand, it’s also about me standing in front of my riders – and Christian said it, mistakes can happen, we try to avoid them. It’s not a given that he stood up – respect.”
Broadcast on Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., SWR Aktuell Baden-Württemberg, SWR BW
