Olympic champion Christian Kukuk's request to his 350 guests was clear: “Let's have a great party!” And his friends, family, colleagues from the Beerbaum stable and the Global Equestrian Group, companions and simply people who are important to him delivered. Until five o'clock in the morning when the DJ took his mixer off the power.

The party, which was to honor Christian Kukuk's greatest sporting achievement to date, was planned in style down to the very last detail. The Eiffel Tower shone across the riding arena on a screen, glasses glittered on the elegantly laid tables in the white marquee and the Olympic flame burned above the stage, just like the original on the Seine. The dishes ranged from canapés to coq au vin, entrecôte, crêpes, crème brûlée, chocolate mousse. As the party was held in the heart of Westphalia, beer and currywurst as a midnight snack were a must...

Ludger Beerbaum's team member Ines Hattenhorst, who has been organizing such special events for years, was responsible for the organization of the celebration. “We haven't planned any program items such as speeches or video clips,” she said. ”For us, the focus is on celebrating together.” As this was all tailored to Christian Kukuk, the long drinks also had names such as Christian's Win Tonic, Miss Sofie's Mule, Checker's Clear Round and Gold Medal.

The atmosphere quickly reached its peak with the live band, which really got the party started. The audience only listened attentively twice. When Christian Kukuk said he was “grateful and overwhelmed by the acclaim for the victory” and that he still felt it was inauthentic when he was “compared to the Olympic champions Ludger or Jeroen Dubbeldam who were present.” He only wanted to address three points before the party continued: his thanks to Ludger Beerbaum, without whom this meeting would not have taken place. After all, it was his vast experience that ultimately made the difference to the competition after a four-day tournament. Secondly, he emphasized the immense support of his long-time caregiver Sofie Karlsson, with whom he spends more time than with any other person and who shares all his emotions - whether good or bad things happen. Thirdly, he thanked his horse Checker. “What he has achieved in the past year simply leaves me speechless.”

Ludger Beerbaum wanted to make it clear - and none of those present really believed him - “that my part in the gold medal is not as big as it is being portrayed here”. He emphasized the team performance of the entire stable. “We all simply have a good spirit here, stand together even when we make mistakes and always try to give our best. Even when the wind is blowing in the face of our sport, as it is at the moment.” Christian Kukuk was very clear, structured and had a goal in mind right from the start. “It's a huge stroke of luck for all of us that he's here. His riding is the very, very, very best.”

For the boss of two competitors at the Olympic Games, it was a matter close to his heart and part of his philosophy to win and lose together. He emphasized once again that Philipp Weishaupt and his groom Lisa Fundis had only missed out on the medal by a single knockdown in the individual final after sensationally good rounds on Zineday. “Unfortunately, that's sport. We all know that. Nevertheless, Philipp's performance was sensationally good!”    

After the thunderous applause for these words, there was no storming of the Bastille, but rather the dance floor. In the early morning, everyone involved agreed: they can party in Riesenbeck - and how...!

Christian Kukuk with his stable team and Checker's co-owner, Madeleine Winter-Schulze               picture: RI