Germany’s Markus Beerbaum and Le Mans 8 Race to 1.50m Classic CSIO Win at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL– March 12, 2005 – Saturday’s early morning feature at the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival had a distinct international flavor to it as riders from Germany, Belgium, Great Britain and Canada placed first through fourth in the $10,000 1.50m Classic. The CSIO United States – CN Finale, the final week of competition in Wellington, has brought together riders from across the globe to the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida. Following the South Florida run, which wraps up on Sunday afternoon, competitors move to Tampa, Florida, for two weeks of action at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The grand finale to this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival is the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational on Saturday night, April 2, at Raymond James Stadium.

Following a night of international excitement and a win for the Irish Equestrian Team on Friday night at the Samsung Nations Cup, riders from Europe continued their domination on Saturday morning.

The $10,000 1.50m Classic, CSIO was scored under FEI Article 238.2.2, Time First Jump Off. The Internationale Arena Course Designer is Jose “Pepe” Gamarra.

Twenty-four starters took to the field on Saturday morning. Only three were able to negotiate the first round course without penalties. Three riders were clear with time faults. Seven riders had a knockdown, some with time penalties as well. Eleven competitors had eight faults or more.

In the three horse jump-off against the clock, Markus Beerbaum, aboard the Hyperion Farm’s Le Mans 8, returned first. Racing around the tiebreaker, Beerbaum left the early morning crowd breathless, with a clean round in a fast dash of 36.22 seconds.

Obacia JPP, ridden by Gilbert De Roock of Belgium, also produced a faultless jump-off effort but was off the Beerbaum pace by 2.42 seconds, tripping the timers in 38.64.

Michael Whitaker of Great Britain on Lexicon, owned by the Beverly Hills Equestrian Center, pulled a rail for four faults and crossed the finish line in 38.58 seconds to finish third.

Beerbaum explained today’s strategy. I was early to go, but I tried my best to quick and clean and I was. I felt he was really on today, and he was, so I took quite a bit of risks in the jump-off and it worked out well.”

According to Beerbaum, Le Mans 8 is a rising international show jumping star. “He’s exceptional and really tries his best. He definitely can jump big jumps,” Beerbaum noted. “He’s ten years old already, but he didn’t start showing until he was eight, so he’s basically still green. I think Florida has been really good for him, he’s come along and now when I take him back to Europe, he’s ready to play with the big boys.”

Beerbaum enjoys the yearly trip from Germany to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. “I do a lot,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have a great supporter in the Firestones. They make it so nice for me to come here and I really enjoy coming here to support Alison. It’s a great friendship and it’s a great team, too.”

Official Results – Class #105 -$10,000 1.50m Classic CSIO – FEI 238.2.2 – 03-12-05 – Internationale Arena

• 1 – Le Mans 8, Markus Beerbaum (GER) – 0-0/36.22
• 2 – Obacia JPP, Gilbert De Roock (BEL) – 0-0/38.64
• 3 – Lexicon, Michael Whitaker (BGR) -0-4/38.58
• 4 – Lorrain Z, Eric Lamaze (CAN) -1-77.30
• 5 – Caulcalis, Joe Fargis (USA) – 1-77.55
• 6 – Kenay, Federico Fernendez (MEX) – 2-83.71
• 7 – Now or Never, Vicky Young (GBR) – 4-74.42
• 8 – Tyra, Yann Candele (FRA) -4-74.50
• 9 – Two Mills Showtime, Robert Maguire -4-75.89
• 10 – Garibaldy, Federico Fernandez (MEX) – 4-76.61
• 11 – Cybella, Mac Cone (CAN) – 5-77.62
• 12 – Glenn CH, Candice King (USA) – 5-77.85

PHOTO CREDIT: Germany’s Markus Beerbaum with Le Mans 8. Photo by Randi Muster