What Happens When You Give Michael Jung an 18-Second Head Start?

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH are making the most of their rainy little getaway to Kentucky — and shattering records while they’re at it.

The German Olympic champion and his longtime partner are known for their jaw-droppingly low dressage scores, but this weekend took it to a whole new level. Their 18.6 leads the field at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event by staggering 7.4 penalties. That’s the biggest dressage lead ever recorded at any CCI5* in modern history. And tomorrow, they head into cross-country sitting on the lowest Kentucky 5* dressage score ever.

Not one, but two records shattered before the competition even reaches its marquee phase. 

"I really trust my horse. I believe in him," Jung said after his test. It was his first eventing outing since Paris, but his partnership with Chip looked anything but rusty.

It’s a performance worth understanding—not just for the spectacle, but for what it tells us about how leads like this shift pressure, change strategy, and signal potential greatness.

How Big Is 7.4 Penalties, Really?

In a sport where margins are usually razor-thin, 7.4 penalties is a canyon. The previous record was 6.5, set by Heath Ryan at Adelaide in 2010. Michael’s lead going into Saturday is nearly a full penalty ahead of that.

April showers soaked the bluegrass on Friday. While the track is expected to handle the rain, there’s still a chance it could get slick. That shouldn’t be a problem for Michael and Chip. They can cruise around Derek di Grazia’s technical track at a leisurely pace (not that they will). Chip is one of the fastest horses in the field — but Thursday’s dressage result gives them a whopping 18-second cushion. 

Michael might as well stop for a Mint Julep mid-course. 

A Big Lead Doesn’t Just Protect — It Provokes

Chasing a leader like this forces a shift in mindset. Do you gamble to catch up or defend what you’ve got? 

In the Tour de France, riders often move in a pack — drafting off each other, conserving energy. But occasionally, one rider breaks away. When that happens early, it forces the rest of the field into unfamiliar territory. Push to close the gap and risk blowing up, or hang back and hope they fade.

That’s the kind of pressure Michael Jung just created. His dressage score isn’t just strong — it’s disruptive. Now the others have to make a choice: ride faster than planned and risk mistakes, or play it safe and settle for second.

Boyd Martin and Tom McEwen, sitting second and third, are no strangers to pressure. But even they haven’t faced this kind of gap before. Will they stick to their plan, or will their competitive instincts take over? With a tough, technical, and now possibly slippery track, even bold riders might have to ride more conservatively.

Still, they’re ready for the challenge.

“I think it’s a good course. Big. Challenging. A real test of endurance,” Boyd said after Friday’s dressage tests.

“It’s not going to be a dressage show.”

The Era of Early Domination

Since 2008, 51% of CCI5* winners have been in the top three after dressage. That alone is a good sign for Michael’s chances. He’s also a five-time winner at this venue. The odds look good, right?

Well… not necessarily.

At Kentucky specifically, just five of the last 17 winners have led after the dressage phase. If you’ve ever walked a Derek di Grazia cross-country course, you understand why. Big, bold, technical questions. Rolling terrain. It tests fitness and focus to the very end.

But here’s the caveat: Michael Jung isn’t like the rest.

In three of his five Kentucky victories—WEG 2010, 2016, and 2022—he led from the first phase to the last fence.

Michael and Chip have turned Kentucky into a masterclass so far — but the real questions get answered on cross-country day. If history is any guide, they’re not just here for the fun of it. They’re here to finish what they started.

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