MEREDITH MICHAELS-BEERBAUM CLINCHES THIRD ROLEX FEI WORLD CUP JUMPING TITLE
Monday 20 April 2009
There was no way course designer Anthony d’Ambrosio could stop the top riders of the 31st Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final from performing clear rounds. Both horses and riders were simply too brilliant to be fooled or overpowered by d’Ambrosio’s demands. Meredith Michaels Beerbaum making it look seemingly simple collected her third Rolex FEI World Cup™, she had more trouble holding on to the cup during the spectacular prize giving ceremony in the hectic Thomas & Mack Center.
McLain Ward, second placed after two tough rounds of competition, had to wait and see if his former compatriot from California would copy his perfect final round. Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, who stated earlier this week that she is known for doing things differently, did not copy McLains strategy to stay clear. In the final round, she was the only one to make her horse do five strides towards the double combination, in stead of four.
Albert Zoer could only maintain his third position producing two superb clear rounds aboard his fighter Okidoki. Christina Liebherr stayed in fourth place, thanks to her fanatic super jumper LB No Mercy, who – accidentally – was produced as a young horse by Albert Zoer and was sold to Liebherr by his father.
The only one from the top listed riders to make a mistake was Rich Fellers. His small horse Flexible had troubles negotiating the wide oxers, made two mistakes in the first round and no less than 22 in the second. Former Rolex FEI World Cup™ winner Rodrigo Pessoa as not very lucky on the last day. The penultimate jump of the third competition, a huge oxer testing the stamina and concentration of the horses, was only slightly touched by Rufus’ hoofs, which caused the rail to fall own. This fault, however, didn’t drop Rodrigo down, it left the Brazilian in 5th place. Ludger Beerbaum grew in the competition. The beautiful double clear aboard a relaxed and concentrated Coup de Coeur on the last day made him climb the ranks to 6th place.
Great Britain's stylish rider Ben Maher and his powerhouse Robin Hood W whom he jointly owns with Michael & Emma Phillipd unfortnately had the first fence down in the first round. Other than that everything went perfect securing him 7th place in their maiden World Cup Final.
Steve Guerdat held on to his top 10 position, also producing a 4 and 0 performance on the last day, which resulted in 8th place. The Swiss rider had to share this position with Thomas Velin, the only one to make more than one mistake. In the first round Grim st Clair became a bit strong in the mouth and knocked down two fences, in the second the Dnish rider had one fault to his name.
Steve Guerdat held on to his top 10 position, also producing a 4 and 0 performance on the last day, which resulted in 8th place. The Swiss rider had to share this position with Thomas Velin, the only one to make more than one mistake. In the first round Grim st Clair became a bit strong in the mouth and knocked down two fences, in the second the Dnish rider had one fault to his name.
Also 10th position was shared by two riders. Marcus Ehning from Germany and Daniel Etter from Switzerland both ended on a total of 24 World Cup points.
Results of the 31st Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final Jumping
1. Meredith Michaels Beerbaum (GER), Shutterfly, 0 pnts
2. McLain Ward (USA), Sapphire, 2 pnts
3. Albert Zoer (NED), Okidoki, 4 pnts
4. Christina Liebherr (SWI), LB No Mercy, 7 pnts
5. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Rufus, 12 pnts
6. Ludger Beerbaum, Coupe de Coeur, 14 pnts
7. Ben Maher (GBR), Robin Hood W, 18 pnts
8. Steve Guerdat (SWI), Tresor, 19 pnts
Thomas Velin (DEN), Grim st. Clair, 19 pnts
10. Daniel Etter (SWI), Peu a Peu, 24 pnts
Marcus Ehning (GER), Leconte, 24 pnts
12. Beezie Madden (USA), Danny Boy, 26 pnts
13. Mikael Forsten (FIN), Isaac du Jonquet, 27 pnts
14. Edwina Alexander (AUS), Isovlas Itot du Chateau, 28 pnts
Ian Millar (CAN), In Style, 28 pnts
16. Richard Spooner (USA), Ace, 31 pnts
17. Mandy Porter (USA), San Diego, 34 pnts
18. Rich Fellers (USA), Flexible, 36 pnts
19. Hillary Dobbs (USA), Quincy B, 40 pnts
20. Christine McCrea (USA), Vegas, 42 pnts
21. Helena Lundbäck (SWE), Madick, ret. 18 pnts
22. Michael Whitaker (GBR), Portofino, ret. 23 pnts
23. Todd Minikus (USA), Pavarotti, ret. 27 pnts
24. Keean White (CAN), Celena Z, 25 pnts
25. Darragh Kerins (IRE), Night Train, 26 pnts
26. Ashlee Bond (USA), Cadett 7, 27 pnts
27. Marco Kutscher (GER), 29 pnts
28. Angel Nygalov (BUL), Baloufino, 39 pnts
29. Rutherford Latham (SPA), Guarana Champeix, 44 pnts
30. Lars Nieberg (GER), Lucie, 22 pnts
31. Vladimir Beletsky (RUS), Larkanaro, 31 pnts
32. Hasan Senturk (TUR), S.I.E.C. Concept, 32 pnts
Kent Farrington (USA), Up Chiqui, 30 pnts
Michelle Spadone (USA), Melisimo, 22 pnts
35. Danielle Torano (USA), Vancouver d’Auvray, 33 pnts
Geir Gulliksen (NOR), Sundal Colliers Cattani, 33 pnts
Ludo Philippaerts (BEL), Cavalor’s Winningmood, 33 pnts
38. Alberto Michan (MEX), Chinobampo Lavita, 37 pnts
39. HRH Prince Abdulla Al-Saud (KSA), Mobily Ashkur Allah Obelix, 38 pnts
40. Anna Trent (NZL), Muskateer NZPH, 39 pnts
Harley Brown (AUS), Cassiato, 30 pnts
42. Daijiro Mashiyama (JPN), Paradox, 41 pnts
Gerco Schröder (NED), Eurocommerce Seattle, 41 pnts
44. Enrique Gonzalez (MEX), Frida, 45 pnts