Ludger's New Star shines in Geneva…
Germany's Ludger Beerbaum steered his spectacular new ride, All Inclusive NRW, to victory at the fifth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League in Geneva, Switzerland this afternoon where his sister-in-law Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum shared runner-up spot with Ireland's Jessica Kuerten.
Spectators at the Palexpo Arena were treated to a feast of jumping action over this weekend when Kuerten claimed the honours in the thrilling IJRC Top-10 on Saturday night, and FEI World Cup Director, John Roche, described the 2007 fixture as “the best show to date”.
Course designer Rolf Ludi, who will also build for the season's finale in Gothenburg next April, knows how to maximise the tension on the big occasions with tracks that look a lot more simple than they actually are, and today's jump-off was the perfect curtain closer with white-knuckle rides from the 11 through to the jump-off against the clock.
First into the arena was Rodrigo Pessoa with his promising nine year old Rufus and a wonderfully fluid tour of the track saw the careful stallion and his skillful rider set the target with a clear round in 40.61 seconds.
Sweden's Malin Baryard-Johnsson ratcheted it all up a gear however with a brilliant run from the 16 year old Butterfly Flip, a winner in this class six years ago, who crossed the line in 39.04 after a massive stand-off at the last but the excitement was really only beginning.
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum followed with a breath-taking tour with Shutterfly, accelerating dramatically in the middle of the course and then taking on the tricky double of liverpools, just two fences from home, in dare-devil style. Home in 38.45 seconds she had now re-set the standard and Portugal's Luciana Diniz and Son of Marco posed no threat when dropping both elements of the penultimate double when they got into a muddle and finishing at 10th place.
With just four left to go Ludger Beerbaum then took centre stage, and from the moment he set off there was a sense that something special was happening. Ludger looks at ease on this horse in a way that is reminiscent of some of his great rides, and the commentator roared “Extraordinaire! Quelle spectacle!” as the prolific medal-winning 44 year old cruised home to break the beam in 38.40 seconds and take over the top of the order.
Anyone watching Jessica Kuerten jump over the past few days knew that she could not be discounted. Castle Forbes Libertina was in a class of her own when heading up Saturday's Top-10 and, never short of energy, was as fresh as ever as she set off again, full of her trade-mark courage and enthusiasm. A risky turn to the oxer three from home paid off and the Irish rider looked well in touch when chancing it again at the following double but despite a brilliant effort the clock showed the Irish partnership precisely matching the time recorded by Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly. And when, last into the ring, Australia's Edwina Alexander and Isovlas Socrates left three on the floor Ludger was confirmed as clear winner with the two ladies tied for second place.
RESULTS:
1, All Inclusive (Ludger Beerbaum) Ger 0/0 38.40;
2, Shutterfly (Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum) Ger,
2. Castle Forbes Libertina (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 0/0 38.45;
4, Butterfly Flip (M Baryard-Johnsson) Swe 0/0 39.04;
5, Itot du Chateau (Michel Hecart) Fra 0/0 39.45;
6, Jalisca Solier (Steve Guerdat) Sui 0/0 39.65;
7, Rufus (Rodrigo Pessoa) Bra 0/0 40.61;
8, Cantus (Niklaus Schurtenberger) Sui 0/0 40.63;
9, Madick (Helena Lundback) Swe 0/0 42.13;
10, Son of Marco (Luciana Diniz) Por 0/8 42.88;