Thomas Müller’s Horse Wins Gold at The Olympics: The Story Of Checker

Thomas Müller has added another gold to his collection, but this time it is not for his football skills. Also, he didn’t participate in anything at the Olympics, he is just the guy with the money in the background. He won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics with his horse Checker at a show jumping event, which is a remarkable achievement, and something you wouldn’t expect from a football star, right?

Obviously, there are many football stars who are actually interested in horses, but not many of them achieved much success in the business field. But Müller set different standards and proved that he was also successful in other sports and business ventures. At this point, you are probably wondering how the heck Thomas Müller ended up with horses. Well, in a recent interview, he said that he “caught the horse bug” from his wife, Lisa, who is a competitive dressage rider. 

Müller is a person who isn’t just up for the money like most athletes who dive into equestrian sports. He said that he is fascinated by horses, and he thinks that horses are one of the most elegant creatures on the planet. We all have a passion for horses, but very few can say that they’ve won an Olympic Gold medal, right? So, how did he do it?

Christian Kukuk and Checker

So, how did a professional footballer end up winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics? Well, this isn’t the first year that Müller has entered the equestrian world. He has been an equestrian fan for years due to his wife’s profession.

This made him invest in buying a horse. However, it is worth mentioning that he is a co-owner of Checker, which is a common practice that investors do when buying a horse. But how did he win a gold medal which is like a dream for many equestrians that are years in this business but still haven’t won a gold?

Well, he surrounded himself with the right people. He partnered with Christian Kukuk, who is a German show jumper who is most responsible for the result at this year’s Olympics. He led Checker to victory and showed a true bond with the horse. What about Checker? Well, he is a 14-year-old grey gelding, which was trained by Kukuk.

Kukuk has been climbing the ranks in the equestrian world. He might have finished off the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but came to Paris with one goal – to win a gold medal! His performance was truly flawless, and the stakes were very high – he was going up against some of the best horse riders in the world and still managed to get 15 fences, an incredible triple combination, and two doubles.

They’ve shown what a true bond between a rider and a horse looks like, which secured them in the first place. During the time when Kukuk was riding Checker, Thomas Müller had training at Bayern Munich, but his coach and long-life friend Vincent Kompany rearranged the training session for the afternoon just so Müller could watch his horse in action on TV in the morning.

After this, it wouldn’t be strange to see Thomas Müller entering the world of horse racing and seeing his horse on the Breeders Cup 2025 at Del Mar racetrack. 

Müller’s Equestrian Journey: From the Pitch to the Stables

Thomas Müller’s foray into the equestrian world isn’t just a passing fancy; it’s a passion that’s deeply rooted in his life, largely thanks to his wife, Lisa Müller, who is a competitive dressage rider. Müller has often spoken about how horses bring a sense of calm and strength into his life—qualities that probably help him on the football field too.

When he’s not scoring goals, Müller has been actively involved in the training and care of Checker, ensuring that the horse has everything it needs to succeed at the highest levels. His dedication paid off in Paris, where he could be seen cheering from the sidelines—probably more nervous than when he’s lining up for a penalty kick!

How Did They Do It? The Strategy Behind the Win

You might be wondering, what’s the secret sauce that led to this Olympic gold? According to Kukuk, it’s all about experience. Checker was a relatively young horse during the Tokyo Olympics, and the duo didn’t quite make the mark back then. Fast forward to Paris 2024, and both horse and rider came in with a wealth of experience under their belts.

Kukuk credits the training and the high-pressure competitions that followed Tokyo as critical in their preparation for Paris. He said, “I got my experience in Tokyo and then the shows after, so everything came together, and that’s why we are here now.”

What’s Next for Müller and Checker?

So, what’s next for this dynamic duo of football and equestrianism? Müller, ever the competitor, is likely to continue his involvement in equestrian sports while still dazzling fans on the football pitch. With a gold medal in the bag, there’s no telling what heights Müller and his horses might reach next.

For Kukuk, this win is a career-defining moment that catapults him into the upper echelons of show jumping.