At the beginning of June, the show-jumper Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum took such a bad fall that she broke her collar bone. She was soon sitting back in the saddle, she competed wearing a special vest. And just two months after the fall she was nominated for the German team for the FEI European Championships Aachen 2015. We spoke with her about this.

Question: Were you surprised about your nomination for the German team after your fall and your operation?
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum: At the show in Aachen in May,, everything was still super. Then, I had a fall and of course, at first I didn’t have a clue what that would mean and how things would continue. Everything was unclear: When would I be able to deliver top sport and top performances again? But it quickly became clear, that everything is fine again, especially thanks to the special vest.

Question: What does it feel like when you are riding?
Michaels-Beerbaum: It is perfect in the meantime. After I had started riding again for a while, I rode at a small competition. Then in Falsterbo, Mannheim and Hickstead. It got better every time and in the meantime, everything is normal again.

Question: How do you rate the Germans’ chances in the Mercedes-Benz Prize?
Michaels-Beerbaum: We have a very good team. One only has to take a look at the other three: All of them have already notched up top victories, I couldn’t wish for a better team for the Mercedes-Benz Prize. I hope that we are able to really impress everyone, here in Aachen in front of our crowd. But the other teams are very strong too, of course. I think the French will be the ones to watch and of course the Dutch team.

Question: How do you rate your chances in the “Rolex European Champion”?
Michaels-Beerbaum: Of course, I am hoping to do well in the individual classification. Fibonacci is a top horse. On a good day, everything is possible and I have actually always done well in Aachen in the past.

Question: The Aachen crowd loves you. Is that helpful or does it increase the pressure?
Michaels-Beerbaum: Of course, the pressure is on at a European Championships event in your own country. We are top motivated and are extremely looking forward to it – to the fantastic Aachen Stadium, the crowd and the totally special Aachen atmosphere.

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