Stuttgart – The 6,900 spectators in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle were besides themselves late on Friday evening. In a thrilling five-rider jump-off, Ludger Beerbaum secured the coveted MERCEDES GERMAN MASTER title for the fourth time after 1995, 1996 and 2005. Riding Chaman in the second most important jumping class at the 30th International STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS Horse Show, the German went clear in the jump-off in 37.63 seconds and was given the key to the winner’s prize, a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 Off Roader. The beaming Beerbaum was “really really happy” about his win and praised the runner-up, “Hansi rode a brilliant jump-off. I was lucky in that I was able to watch his ride and then use the only possible opening to be quicker that him.”
Second was fellow German Hans-Dieter Dreher, the winner of last year’s Grand Prix, who went round in a faultless 37.96. He was followed in third by the Swiss Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat (0/37.72). European Champion Kevin Staut, the World Team silver medal winners in 2014 Pénélope Leprevost, and Patrice Delaveau (all France), Portugal’s Luciana Diniz, Doda de Miranda (Brazil), Michael Whitaker (Great Britain) and Shane Breen (Ireland) all failed to advance past the first round.
In alluding to the lap of honour in the winner’s car, the Managing Director of the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Stuttgart, Manfred Hommel, was also impressed with Ludger Beerbaum’s driving skills: “He would cut a good figure as a rally driver.”
On the third day of the equestrian highlight in Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden Württemberg, 2,800 horse lovers were in the stands during the day session for the two dressage classes and the jumping competitions.
