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Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and John Whitaker to the jumping

By on November 3, 2017
Roland Thunholm

There are two real heavyweight in the racing sport that sports director Malin Baryard Johnsson is now launching for Sweden International Horse Show. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Germany, and John Whitaker, UK, have both accepted the competitions in the Friends Arena on November 30th – December 3rd.
– It’s an incredible competition, said Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum

Meredith Michaels Beerbaum has ridden home Olympic, World Cup and European Championship medals and won the World Cup final three times. Now she is in the Friends Arena for the second time to ride during Sweden International Horse Show.

There are many “first” in Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum’s life. In 1999 she became the first female rider in a German jump team. In 2004, she became the first woman to be ranked number one on the world rankings in jumping.

In 2015 she visited Sweden International Horse Show and Friends Arena for the first time. Then there was no victory but well a second place after little impossible Bertram Allen in the biggest jump class Sweden Grand Prix. Meredith was impressed with the contests and the atmosphere.

– I do not understand why I have not come here before and I will be happy to return. Then I have to bring my daughter so she can experience all the fun shows, she said.

Said and done. Now she and John Whitaker are back in Friends Arena and would like to have a revanche on Bertram, as they meet in this year’s classes. Four cars are at stake and there are two really experienced foxes who will do everything for the young Irish to not continue filling the garage with Volkswagen cars.

John Whitaker made his first OS 1984 with horse Ryan’s Son. Since then, it has become five OS and, together with the sago horse Milton, John has entered the history books. Now he is back at the Swedish International Horse Show. Of course, specially invited by sports director Malin Baryard Johnsson, who has been training at family Whitaker in Huddersfield, UK, and had John as a mentor during his career.

– It makes me extremely happy that John continues to come to us. He is a legend, says Malin.

18 riders with two horses each make up in the jump classes during the weekend at the Friends Arena.

The following jump riders are ready today:
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Germany
John Whitaker, UK
Harrie Smolders, Netherlands
Bertram Allen, Ireland

Swedish rider:
Malin Baryard Johnsson
Douglas Lindelöw
Peder Fredricson
Henrik von Eckermann
Evelina Tovek
Jonna Ekberg
Stephanie Holmén
Irma Karlsson
Robin Ingvarsson

Earlier selected, Cian O’Connor, Ireland, has been forced to resign

Holding points jumping:
Friday afternoon – Welcome Stakes by Mediatec and Next Champion by Agria *
Friday evening – Qualify Sweden Masters and Prince Carl Philips Price (pony)
Saturday night – Volkswagen Cup (Winning Car) and Power & Speed
Sunday afternoon – Sweden Grand Prix by HM (Winning Car), Friends Christmas Speed Jumping and Next Champion by Agria *
Sunday evening – Sweden Masters “Last man standing”, the weekend’s total best rider, Best in Show, is choosen (winning car).

*Sweden’s best 7-year-old horses from the Champion of the Youngsters compete against four top riders best 7 year olds.

Helena Olofsson, Entertainment | Solna
MyGuide2Stockholm