From Paris to Blenheim: The Next Chapter of London 52 vs fischerChipmunk FRH
London 52 and fischerChipmunk FRH have traded blows at every major championship since Tokyo - and now they go head-to-head again this weekend at Blenheim. In recent years, their rivalry has defined eventing and at Blenheim, it could decide not just the European title, but how this era is remembered.
Eventing fans have been treated to some great rivalries over the years but none in recent memory have shaped the sport quite like this. London 52 and fischerChipmunk FRH - two of the most consistent, low-scoring, big-day performers in the world are head-to-head once again. Their clash at Blenheim could define how we remember this era of eventing.
We all know how it went in Paris - Laura broke the dressage record, lost a shoe on course and picked up cross-country time, and then the rails fell for both combinations. In the end, Jung climbed to gold and Laura settled for bronze. It was tense, it was dramatic, but most importantly, it was unforgettable sport.
How might it unfold this weekend? Let’s see how the numbers stack up...
Four-Star Standings
One way to line these horses up is through their recent 4* records. London 52 has the edge on consistency and finishing scores, with a 27.6 average compared to Chipmunk’s 34.5. But when it comes to winning, the gap is small - London’s 38% win rate at this level is only slightly ahead of Chipmunk’s 33%.
Championship Clashes
Looking at their championship clashes, the record leans towards fischerChipmunk FRH. Yet both have had their share of high drama at the big moments - from flags and run-outs to that fall at the final water! Championships have rarely been straightforward for either pair and if history is anything to go by, there’s no guarantee that both will end the week on the podium.
Their Form Coming Into Blenheim
On paper, it seems like London 52 and fischerChipmunk FRH are remarkably close. However, that's the beauty of EquiRatings metrics - we can identify down to the decimal place how each combination compares.
Dressage: Chipmunk's 6RA just pips London's with a 20.1 and a 21.9 respectively. But let's not forget that Chipmunk has led five of his six championships with Jung after dressage, though he’s never converted one of those early leads into gold. The only time he didn’t lead was Paris 2024, when London 52 set an Olympic record with 17.5 yet Jung came from behind to take gold.
Cross Country: London looks the safer package. His XCJ10 sits at 90% versus Chipmunk’s 80%, and he’s faster too - a 96% top-speed rating compared to 87%.
Show Jumping: Final-day rails can decide championships, and London is the tidier of the two. His SJ6 is 1.3, against Chipmunk’s 2.7. Adjusted to course averages, London’s advantage is even clearer.
Medals on the Line
Despite their reputations, both horses have surprisingly few individual medals to their names. fischerChipmunk FRH claimed silver at the 2019 Europeans before finally securing gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. London 52, for all his brilliance, took his first and only senior championship medal in Paris as well - a hard-fought bronze.
For all their brilliance, it shows just how difficult it is to win medals. Now, with both horses reaching the peak (and perhaps twilight) of their careers, Blenheim could represent one of the final chances for either combination to add another medal to their legacy.
The Blenheim Factor
There’s an added twist this weekend: London 52 knows Blenheim - having won the Blenheim 8&9 yo CCI4*-S class in 2018. For Laura, this is her 18th time competing at the venue - few riders this weekend will know the hills better.
By contrast, Michael Jung arrives with a staggering 568 international starts since 2008 but not one of them at Blenheim. For all of his dominance, this is uncharted territory. If there’s a home advantage, it certainly belongs to Laura.
The Prediction Centre
After all this speculation, it's a relief we have the Prediction Centre to truly quantify it - and the numbers suggest London 52 (32% win chance) might take it over fischerChipmunk FRH (22%).
Final Word
This rivalry isn’t just about statistics, it’s also about history. London 52, chasing a first senior European medal for Collett. fischerChipmunk FRH, the horse who so often has led but not finished it off.
At Blenheim, one of them could finally add a European victory to their record. And whichever way it goes? It adds another twist to one of the biggest rivalries in the last decade.
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