12 things you didn’t know about showjumper Marcus Ehning

Germany’s showjumping legend Marcus Ehning landed the €100,000 (£78,741) prize in the Longines Global Champions Tour  (GCT) grand prix of Vienna this weekend (19-21 September), on the 17-year-old Plot Blue.

Find out all you need to know about the showjumper — from what his favourite food is, to his top show and the name of his first pony.

1. His wife Nadia was a champion vaulter
2. He has three children, Yula, Davy and Nael
3. He is from a non-horsey family. His mother was a teacher and his father a livestock dealer
4. He has one brother and three sisters
5. His favourite food is steak and chips
6. His favourite film is Forest Gump, starring his favourite actor Tom Hanks
7. His favourite show is Aachen
8. His first pony was called Narmit
9. He won two pony European gold medals on Starlight
10. He loves to play football
11. He has a British groom, Kay Neatham
12. His idol as a young rider was John Whitaker

Don’t miss the 25 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine, with our full report from the GCT of Vienna

60 seconds with showjumper Kevin Staut

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.