Meredith clutches the G.P. in Cannes

Before the jump-off started, both Edwina Alexander (AUS) and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) were in extreme concentration, because they were the only two in the jump-off. Just like in Hamburg, there were only 2 people in the jump-off, only this time it were two girls instead of 2 guys. Nevertheless, you could feel the tension.

When the riders walked the course, you could hear them talking about the difficulties. Serge Houtmann (FRA) had designed a course that was equal for each type of horse, but it depended on the knowledge of the riders how the horses jumped. With many long galloping and sharp turns towards the jumps, the course made its own selection of riders. It prevented world class riders like Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Thomas Frühmann (AUT), Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Michel Robert (FRA), and John Whitaker (GBR) from riding in the second round. Only 3 girls were able to go round the course without penalties.

The second round proved very difficult too. Harry Smolders (NED), who came in with an invitation from the show organization, was first to start in the nerve wrecking second round. The commentator had taken his place in the arena, welcoming the first rider with an amazing applause from the 44,000 visitors as support.

The maximum time allowed was 54 seconds for 9 jumps. The heaviest were number 6A (oxer), 6B (vertical) and 7A and B (verticals). The difficulty was in the difficult bend before and in the middle to be able to jump the fences right.
After three riders, the time allowed was extended with three seconds, making the time allowed 57 seconds. For Harry Smolders, there was no difference because he had no time faults, but for Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and Alvaro de Miranda Neto (BRA) it did make a difference. Rolf-Göran still kept 1 time fault, but Alvaro had a clear round. He was the first of 8, but still had 4 faults from the first round, so he was not qualified for the jump-off.

The only 2 riders that made it into the jump-off were good friends Edwina Alexander and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. Edwina was first to start and had done well. “I was half way round but I had a feeling that I was too slow. Meredith and Shutterfly are always fast and I just had a gut feeling that she was going to haul me over!”
Meredith was second and pulled it off. She had put down a time of 40.47 seconds, which was exactly 3 seconds faster than Edwina. “Me and Shutterfly make a good team. We are going to the Olympics and the Global Champions Tour (GCT), presented by CN WorldWide, is a good training. I have several good horses, but Checkmate and Le Mans will go to other shows. The last one will have a chance at the GCT in Monte-Carlo (MON). I am looking forward to the next Global Champions Tour, and hope to win again.”