Martin Fuchs: Champion Spirit, Global Stardom, and an Equestrian Bond Beyond Borders

From Rolex Grand Slams to heartfelt friendships, Martin Fuchs and ELLA founder Melissa Lu share a journey that celebrates the true spirit of elite equestrian sport.

To those who follow equestrian sport, Martin Fuchs is more than just a name—he is a symbol of elegance, passion, and championship spirit. A Swiss Olympic show jumper and one of the most decorated athletes in the world, Martin has held the No. 1 ranking in the FEI Show Jumping World Rankings, and is consistently among the top 10 elite riders globally.

Martin’s successful career is already decorated and he’s only just getting started. With many impressive victories under his belt at the most prestigious events in the sport, including wins at the “Majors” considered the Wimbledon of the sport like the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. This four-part series—the Dutch Masters (March), CHIO Aachen (July), Spruce Meadows Masters (September), and CHI Geneva (December)—represents the highest level of competitive show jumping. Each major culminates in the celebrated Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday, the ultimate test of precision, partnership, and poise.



In both 2023 and 2024, Martin achieved what few have done: he won back-to-back Rolex Grand Prix titles at the Spruce Meadows Masters. And in a twist of serendipity, it was Melissa Lu, founder of ELLA, who twice correctly predicted the champion—winning the celebratory champagne personally hand-selected by Martin. Their bond is both professional and personal—rooted in mutual respect, a shared love of horses, and a vision to grow the sport together.

Through her travels to the Rolex Majors and her support of Martin across Asia—especially in China—Melissa plays a unique role as a cultural ambassador and storyteller. By partnering with Team Fuchs, she helps introduce the vibrant world of show jumping to new audiences, always carrying with her the ELLA spirit: “sharing the equestrian lifestyle and the love of the horse!”  with a shared mission—to celebrate horses, excellence, and the community that connects them.

“To be world-class in show jumping takes more than skill—it takes soul. Martin Fuchs rides with both.”