- "Hippological greetings to all".
A picture like only football star Thomas Müller (34) could create: With his own gold medal from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil around his neck, a stuffed horse on his shoulder, a massive dog portrait in the background, and a fruit platter in front of him, the sports pro congratulates another sports pro on winning gold at the Olympic Games in Paris: Show jumper Christian Kukuk (34) had secured the victory with the horse "Checker".
Thomas Müller: "It was breathtaking"
"Hats off to Checker, hats off to Christian Kukuk", Müller praises the Olympic champion and the horse, whose owner he is. "This is my gold medal, and you've won gold, dear Christian. Gold at the Olympics with Checker. It was breathtaking", Müller raves in the video clip he uploaded on his Instagram account.
He also thanks "everyone involved". In particular, he sends a special thanks to his football club FC Bayern Munich's Belgian coach Vincent Kompany (38): "I was able to watch the ride live this morning - thanks also to our coach, we only had training this afternoon - I had goosebumps, I was really nervous. I had at least 15 more beats per minute", says Müller about the exciting event.
"Equestrian greetings to all"
"Equestrian greetings to all - the equestrian sport in Germany can be proud [...] I am highly enthusiastic. And now let's celebrate, let's party", Müller concludes his message, which he published with the comment "Simply golden - we are Olympic champions".
Thomas Müller and his wife (since 2009), dressage rider Lisa Müller (34), run the stud farm Gut Wettlkam near Munich and breed horses there.
In an interview with the horse magazine "Cavallo" in June 2024, Thomas Müller said about his fascination with the animals and the equestrian sport: "For me, it's a great way to relax from football. My wife is to blame - she infected me with the horse virus. The horse itself is a majestic animal [...] But on the whole, horses are very friendly creatures, they are partners and companions, they radiate calm - and at the same time, strength and elegance", he raved.
Müller expresses his admiration for Checker's performance, stating, "I'm in awe of Checker's circular trajectories and the precision of his movements." During a visit to the stud farm Gut Wettlkam, he noticed, "There's something captivating about these horses, particularly the ones with a circular cross-section in their stables."
