BEIJING 2008: Hong Kong gets a Jump Start

World No. 1 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and her veteran brother-in-law Ludger Beerbaum will lead the German charge as the Jumping competition gets underway in Shatin at 7:15 p.m. today Friday, August 15. Michaels-Beerbaum is competing in her fifth Olympics, while World No. 4 Beerbaum is a multiple medalist competing in his fifth.

European Champions Netherlands are without World No. 2 Albert Zoer after he broke his leg in a training accident prior to the Games. But they are still favorites to medal in Hong Kong, with Team world champion Gerco Schroder and Monaco as their top combination.

The defending gold medalists from the United States came third at the 2006 World Equestrian games. They have two strong combinations from their Athens 2004 gold medal team, McLain Ward with Sapphire and Beezie Madden on Authentic. Switzerland, another contender for the podium, comes with European Champion Christina Liebherr and Steve Guerdat, who came 3rd at the World Cup final in 2007.

Brazil is led by the reigning individual gold medallist Rodrigo Pessoa – this time riding the relatively inexperienced Rufus but always a formidable talent.

Canada came second to Brazil in the 2007 Pan American games and may be a contender. Key rider Eric Lamaze is currently No. 3 in the world and the team can rely on Olympic veteran Ian Millar, riding in his 9th Games.