Release date: 03/06/2011 |    

The Global Champions Tour - Hamburg 2011 

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Checkmate 4 (Thursday 2nd June competing in the Mercedes-Benz Championate von Hamburg, the Global Champions Tour qualification event)

How important is it for you to compete at every GCT event? Are you going all out this year on the GCT circuit?

I hope that I am able to take part in every GCT show this year.  The GCT shows are all fantastic shows with outstanding facilities for horse and rider.  I am happy with my start in the GCT and hope I can continue to earn points and move up the rankings.

It takes a lot or careful planning and programming for the top FEI ranked riders to compete at the many events on offer and to maintain world standings. Why is it so important to be on the Global Champions Tour?

I feel the GCT is the future of our sport.  All the best horses and riders are competing at the GCT.  Riders need to manage their horses well to have them in top form for GCT, as well as other events, like for instance, championships and Nation’s cups.

What special arrangements do you have to make in order to be at each event?           

It takes a lot of organization to get horses all around the world to events that take place in far away places like Doha or Rio de Janeiro.  But the GCT has a fabulous team who spend many hours to organize these trips.  The trips usually take place without a hitch. 

What 2011 Global Champions Tour events can we expect to see you at?

I hope I will be at all the GCT events!

Why do you personally like competing at the Global Champions Tour events?

I think the GCT has something to offer for everyone: super facilities for horses, riders and grooms, and great sport for spectators!

Which GCT events are you most attracted to and for what reasons?

I personally like the shows in Monaco, Cannes, and Estoril because going to these cities is like going on vacation!

The development of Checkmate as your feature Grand Prix partner has been orchestrated very well particularly over the past year with very good performances.  We have heard that this may be the last year of competition for the 18 year old Shutterfly.  If so, explain your feelings about this as his last year.

I am so honored to have had the privilege of riding such a great horse like Shutterfly.  He is unquestionably one of the greatest horses ever to live!  I am so happy to have piloted him to great successes.  He is part of our family and will remain here on the farm even after his active career is finished to enjoy an easy life. 

Tell us about the special qualities that have made Shutterfly one of the all time great show jumping horses.

Shutterfly is a top athlete.  He has tremendous scope and is extremely careful.  He is amazingly elastic and adjustable to ride.  He is fast as lightning and can turn on a dime.  These are the qualities that have enabled him to win numerous Grand Prixs.  But his winning attitude is what has clearly made him stand out as one of the best horses ever. 

You had very good successes at the Global Champions Tour events in 2010 especially at Monaco (4^th place with Shutterfly), and the win at Estoril on Checkmate.  Your final GCT ranking was 13^th overall. At this stage which GCT events do you plan to bring Shutterfly and Checkmate to?

Checkmate will go to Hamburg and Estoril.  Shutterfly will go to Cannes and Monaco.  That is my plan at present, but it can always change.

Hamburg is your home country event.  Tell us about the special qualities of this show and why the Global Champions Tour is a premium event at Hamburg.

Hamburg is a special show with a lot of tradition.  It is famous for its Derby.  I am happy that the GCT takes place in Hamburg now.  It has made the Hamburg show one of the highlights of our summer tour!

Meredith Michaels-Beeerbaum - Hamburg 2011

Photo Credit; Stefano Grasso/GCT