Stuttgart – “Hats off to this lady and to the horse,” and horse show director Gotthilf Riexinger expressed exactly what many were thinking. As the last rider to go in the jump-off, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Germany) on Shutterfly went clear in 32.05 seconds to pip Marcus Ehning who had been leading at the time. The German and Plot Blue had also finished without felling a fence, but in a time of in 33.30 seconds. “Riding Shutterfly was like driving a Mercedes – he had an autopilot,” said the clearly delighted winner, who had previously won the Grand Prix in 2006, 2007 and 2008 plus the 2008 MERCEDES GERMAN MASTER on the 17-year-old gelding.
The second most important jumping competition of the STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS is restricted to the top 12 riders after two tough qualifying classes. And the prize at stake is always a Mercedes – and the honour. This time “MBB’s” well-earned reward was a Mercedes GLK 350 off-roader worth 49,375 euro.
Second placed Marcus Ehning was more than pleased with his performance: “Plot Blue jumped excellently and finishing behind Meredith is no disgrace.” Some consolation came in the form of prize money to the tune of 16,000 euro. Frenchman Patrice Delaveau, who was the Masters winner last year, came third on Nayana Dritter (0/33.35) and received 12,000 euro.
“I’m so happy, it really was one of the highlights of the horse show,” enthused Hans-Michael Huber, the CEO of the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Stuttgart, “it is something one, as a sponsor, can only wish for.”
