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Chip off the old blocks: legendary showjumpers’ daughter wins at WEF

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • Following in the footsteps of her legendary showjumping parents Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Markus Beerbaum, 12-year-old Brianne Beerbaum showed tremendous style when landing the champion title of the large pony hunter division at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida, USA, on Sunday (27 March).

    A field of 18 riders lined up for the division’s final three over-fences classes and Brianne produced a string of consistent performances riding Heritage Farm’s 10-year-old German-bred jumping pony Rashinga. The pair won three classes and took fifth position in the under-saddle class, tallying a total of 31 points to take the title.

    “Rashinga is actually normally a jumper pony when we are over in Germany most of the year,” said Brianne, a championship winner at WEF last year too. “She only competes as a hunter when we are here at WEF. This is our second year in the large pony hunter division together.

    “In Germany, the jumpers are sometimes scored so that helps a bit, but it is a totally different mindset over there,” she explained. “I am grateful she switches between both the disciplines well. She is not the fastest jumper but she is a good jumper with a fair amount of scope. I think she enjoys the variety.”

    Brianne’s mother Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum secured many accolades during her distinguished career, including being crowned the European showjumping champion in 2007 and winning team gold at the 2010 world championships, and she was part of the bronze-medal winning German team at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Meredith is well known for her partnerships with such legendary horses as her three-time World Cup Final winner Shutterfly, Checkmate and Fibonacci.

    Brianne’s father Markus Beerbaum was also a multi-grand prix winning rider; he won team gold at the European championships in 1997 and team gold at the World Equestrian Games in 1998, while her uncle is another legendary German rider, Ludger Beerbaum.

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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