Articles: Press Release
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Wins but McLain Ward and Sapphire put in an
Impressive Effort to Hold on to Second at 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2009
By Joanie Morris
Las Vegas, NV Defending champion, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, looked
impossible to beat throughout the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final. Shutterfly
was faultless going into the final round of the final leg.
Looks matter: She became the third person, and the first woman to win three
World Cup titles. She did it all with Shutterfly.
That meant heart break for McLain Ward and Sapphire who chased the German
combination through all three legs, jumped two immaculate clear rounds. But
it didnt matter, Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly were perfect.
These are the best horses and riders, so it was very, very close, said
Michaels-Beerbaum. Its the hardest win Ive ever had. McLain left me no room
for error. A big win for me for a couple of reasons not just because McLain
made it so difficult but because it was the most perfect, winning all three
days. Hes a once in a life time horse to win at 16 years old.
They were fastest in the speed class and fastest in the jump-off in the
second leg, all they had to do to maintain their lead was jump two clear
rounds today. Michaels-Beerbaum asked and the 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding
answered.
Its a great honor to ride a horse like that said Michaels-Beerbaum about the
horse she has ridden since he was six. Hes the kind of horse that comes
along once in a lifetime. He has had the same groom for 10 years, Ive ridden
him since he was a young horse. We are like an old married couple.
Sapphire never said no either to McLain Ward, but she was just a little bit
slower in both the speed class and in the jump-off on Friday, so even though
Tom Grossman and Blue Chip Bloodstocks 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare
was foot perfect today, she had to settle for runner-up. With two World Cup
points, she and McLain were hugely popular with the American crowds.
Im very proud of what my horse and I did this week, said Ward. If I was
going to do it again I would do it the exact same way. Im proud of my team,
I gave everything I had, my horse gave everything she had. I came up two
seconds short, its a fine line in sports.
Anthony DAmbrosios courses were big and scopey, the second course caused
significantly more trouble on Sunday afternoon, with only seven clear rounds
four of which belonged to the top four horses, meaning the top places
remained unchanged.
The difficulty of the triple combination increased from round one to round
two, said DAmbrosio. In general I would say that the course grew a little
bit.
Albert Zoer and the hugely popular Oki Doki was third on just four points,
the Dutch rider and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding shone, putting in
consistent efforts over the three rounds.
Oki Doki is always a fighter and he does everything for me, said Zoer. I
really love him.
Michaels-Beerbaum leaves Las Vegas with $270,000 and three brand, new Rolex
watches.
ENDS
For complete results and more information, please see:
www.worldcuplasvegas.com.
For blogs, photos and videos: www.clubequestrian.com.
If you have questions, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.
Attached photo is of McLain Ward and Sapphire. Please only use with this
press release and credit Shannon Brinkman.
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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