Les confidences de Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum après Vérone et avant Genève
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum ouvre son agenda aux fidèles du Cavalier Romand, elle raconte son année 2010, marquée par la naissance de sa fille Brianne Victoria fin février, sa médaille d'or aux Jeux mondiaux et son fabuleux retour sur le circuit de la Rolex FEI World Cup™. Sa première apparition en Coupe du monde après son triomphe à la finale 2009 de Las Vegas, c'était fin octobre à Lyon, dix-huit mois plus tard, et l'ambassadrice Rolex a triomphé avec Checkmate, manquant même de peu un double à Vérone. A Stuttgart, elle a remporté les German Masters avec Shutterfly et elle a prévu de prendre ses deux cracks la semaine prochaine à Genève, la-même où elle a déjà enlevé deux finales du Top 10 Rolex IJRC (2004 et '06) et souvent atteint le trio de tête dans le Grand Prix Coupe du monde Rolex FEI. Voici le premier agenda d'une série qui nous conduira jusqu'à Leipzig. L'occasion aussi de perfectionner son anglais...2010…
2010 has been a very memorable year for me, first with the birth of my daughter (Brianne Victoria) and then winning the team gold at the WEG. After my return to Jumping, I had several ups and downs and it did take me a while to feel like my old self.
My horses (Checkmate and Shutterfly) have both been in very good form. I've taken a bit longer to get back in the saddle but overall, I think everyone was surprised at how quickly I came back. But I knew there was still a lot of work to be done, my focus before the WEG was just to continue on my programme and get into the best shape possible.
Winning the German Championships (on Checkmate in Münster) just before the WEG was great and it gave me a lot of confidence in myself and Checkmate. Until then, I wasn't 100% certain whether I'd take Checkmate to the WEG. But after Münster, I was comfortable he could handle it.
I think it's wonderful that the WEG was held in America – it was fantastic to compete there. I have a lot of friends in the US who were taking part in it or supporting me so it was a truly amazing experience. The WEG is one of the biggest Championships we have. It's an exciting format with the Team Final and the Rolex Top Four as the individual final which makes it different from other competitions.
The German team was amazing! The Americans were the favourites, so we surprised everyone by winning the gold medal. For me to secure it with a clear round was just phenomenal. People from all other sports recognise that achievement and for us athletes, it's one of the highlights of our career.
My horses Shutterfly and Checkmate…
Shutterfly has been in great form which is very exciting because he is now 17-years-old. I'm realistic about competing with him now that he is older. I have a very special attachment to him and I'm quite emotional when it comes to decisions about his future, I'm going to let him dictate his own programme, and let him tell us whether he wants to go to a show or not. That's my plan over the coming months; to show him according to his form and when he feels good to me, without any pressure on the horse. Everyone knows what an extraordinary horse he is and he's become part of our family. Part of me wants him to have the easiest time possible but another part recognises Shutterfly as a wonderful partner who loves competing.
I didn't want to take him to WEG because the horse changes in the Rolex Top Four were really tough on him four years ago (in Aachen). He really wasn't very comfortable being ridden by anyone else, and with the saddle change as well, I just couldn't imagine putting him through all of that again.
At the moment, Checkmate is my preferred horse for top-level competitions. He is 15-years-old this year and I've been riding him since he was six-years-old so I have a long history with him. We've had a lot of success together – I've been German Champion twice with him – he's a great jumper and a fantastic horse for me.
Motherhood and competing…
My priorities in life have changed since I had Brianne Victoria. Without a doubt family comes first. She is the highlight of my life and the most important thing in the world to me. I still love competing but she has put things in a different perspective for me.
Markus has been an amazing partner and father; he has taken a huge weight off my shoulders both by looking after Brianne Victoria but also by acting as my confidant. All of this has given me the freedom to engage in two passions of mine simultaneously – motherhood and top-level competing – and I feel extremely fortunate to be in this position.
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Lyon and Verona…
Lyon was a wonderful competition and I went into it with no expectations whatsoever, and just wanted to enjoy myself. I, of course, felt confident as Checkmate has been in great form, but never thought I would win, so it has been a fantastic surprise and a massive confidence boost. Lyon was my first indoor competition since the Final in Las Vegas in 2009, and Checkmate's first indoor competition in two years, which makes the result even more special.
My last show with Shutterfly was five months ago, so I was just delighted to be in Verona with him. I didn't know whether I would ride him in the World Cup class as I was planning on riding Checkmate. But actually it was Jeroen (Dubbeldam) who said Shutterfly jumped so well on the first day you must ride him. It was this comment that made me rethink my plan and ride him in the World Cup, and in the end Jeroen was the one who beat us – how ironic!!! It was a great day for me and for Shutterfly.
See you in Geneva!
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, the renowned three-time World Cup Jumping champion, is a Rolex equestrian sports Testimonee
