Being on the second position before the first round, the local matador and Goldfever, his 16-year old stallion, got one penalty point at the last but one jump and fell back onto the 5th place. However, the first of the world ranking list as well as Goldfever proved their coolness in the second round and were in the lead after a clear round. As Christina Liebherr (Switzerland), who had been in the lead with no penalty points after three of five rounds, had to give up with L.B. No Mercy and Morten Djupvik on Bessemeinds Casino ended up on the 10th position – after having received 8 penalty points – Beerbaum knew that he had a medal. However, the dream of triumphing again at the venue, where he had won the Individual EC gold 10 years ago – in 1997 – was terminated by the next starter. It seemed that Al-Kaheel Cavalor Cumano and Jos Lansink managed the enormous jumps in the MVV riding stadium without any effort and the World Champion pair took over the lead – despite a time fault. However, the joy of the Belgium did not last very long. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, the third of the world ranking list, and Shutterfly, being the last starter, remained again clear in the fifth round of this European Championship in front of 11.000 elated spectators. Thus, with only 1.54 penalty points during the entire EC week, the 37-year old won the gold medal. “This is a great feeling”, she said cheerfully, “I knew I had to go clear, but Shutterfly has jumped extremely well today. I have already had a good feeling before the final, I was less nervous than the days before. I really enjoyed riding him”, Michaels-Beerbaum paid a big compliment to her14-year old gelding and admitted: “For me, a dream came true. Since I have been a little girl, I have dreamt about this, and that I have achieved it now, makes me very proud. When I came to Germany, I saw people like Ludger and Jos riding and thought how great it would be to stand next to those riders. The fact that both of them stood on the left and right side of me on the podium – and a little lower than me – is just unbelievable.”

Ludger Beerbaum was actually also very pleased with his bronze medal. “If someone had told me four or eight weeks ago that I would win the bronze medal with Goldfever, I would have never believed him,” said the 43-year old. “I am absolutely pleased and have no reason to be sad. Bronze has been 100% today and Meredith and Jos have just been better.” Beerbaum especially paid a big compliment to his sister-in-law: “It is a great enrichment that Meredith is starting for Germany”, said the quadruple Olympic winner about the native American. “I think that the best pair of the week has won”, Jos Lansink agreed to Beerbaum’s statement and was obviously very happy with his achievement. “I have not had a single penalty point in this entire week, just one time fault today. And I know that my horse is not the fastest in “Against the clock” classes. And that has been the decisive difference in the end.” Peter Hofmann, the President of the organizing committee, was also thrilled by the final and highlight of the FEI European Jumping Championship. “We have seen fantastic sports”, said Hofmann, who certified the medal winners fantastic performances – as well as his course designer. “We stuck to our decision for Christa Jung, and it has been a good decision”, he paid Jung’s courses, which were real championship courses, a big compliment. A big compliment from the top was then paid to him – from Sven Holmberg, the 1st Vice President of the FEI World Equestrian Federation: “I have been present at many championships, but I am really impressed by this European Championship – not only from the sports but also the organizing point of view. It is fantastic what Mannheim and Peter Hofmann have accomplished.”

Quelle: mps-agentur
Photos: www.reitsportfotos.eu