Three-time Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, has decided to compete her great gelding, Shutterfly, at the 2010/2011 final which opens at Leipzig, Germany tomorrow, 27 April. Originally entered with Checkmate and Kismet, Meredith has substituted the latter for the 18 year old veteran who helped her secure the prestigious title at Las Vegas (USA) in 2005 and 2009 and at Gothenburg (SWE) in 2008. This means that not only is the German rider vying for a record-breaking fourth series victory, but Shutterfly may also go into the record books as the first horse to claim the honours on four occasions. The only other horse to win three titles was Rodrigo Pessoa’s legendary stallion Baloubet du Rouet who scored a spectacular back-to-back hat-trick for his Brazilian rider between 1998 and 2000.
Some facts and figures about the 2010/2011 FEI World Cup™ Finals at Leipzig:
• For the first time in the history of international equestrian sport, four finals will take place under one roof between 27 April and 1 May – Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ dressage, FEI World Cup™ Driving and FEI World Cup™ Vaulting.
• Leipzig staged its first national event in 1998 and in 2002 held its first international show – the FEI World Cup™ Jumping final – Germany’s Otto Becker reigned supreme on that occasion with Dobel’s Cento.
• Leipzig, the trade and cultural capital of eastern Germany, is closely associated with world-famous literary figure Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who studied law at Leipzig University.
• A total of 50 competitions will take place at the Leipziger Messe exhibition centre between 27 April and 1 May.
• The total prizemoney for the Finals is €1.6 million.
• A total of 31 nations will compete in all four FEI World Cup™ events.
• 21 nations will be represented in the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final.
• There are 11 lady riders amongst the 43 starters in the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final.
• Course designer for the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final is Frank Rothenberger.
• German footing expert, Oliver Hoberg, will ensure excellent ground conditions for horses and riders.
• Stable Management has been allocated to Team Australia.
• 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the event – at the 2010 Leipzig fixture a total of 70,000 spectators turned up over the four-day fixture.
• Three halls – each sized 21,000 square metres, will be in use during the final.
• Hall 1 – 9,500 seats, arena size 40/80 metres, Hall 2 – 3,000 seats, Hall 3 – stabling for 900 horses, 750 of these are allocated for competition horses.
• President of the Organising Committee is Volker Wulff.
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