Michaels-Beerbaum wins again at FEI

The Associated Press

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, of Germany, on Shutterfly, competes during the second round of the FEI World Cup Jumping Final at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Friday, April 17, 2009.

Associated Press

Saturday, April 18, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum teamed up with 16-year-old gelding Shutterfly to win her second competition in as many nights, taking the top prize in the $60,000 second phase of the Rolex World Cup Final on Friday night.

They will enter Sunday's third and final phase with a clear lead to retain the World Cup title they first captured here in 2005 and then took back last year at Gothenburg, Sweden.

Michaels-Beerbaum, a former resident of Los Angeles who now rides for Germany, rode Shutterfly to a zero penalty score in 32.77 seconds to claim her $53,965.

A field of 43 horses and riders started over the jumping course built inside the UNLV field house. Thirteen cleared all 14 numbered obstacles requiring 17 jumping efforts within the 1 minute, 21 seconds allowed.

Albert Zoer of The Netherlands and McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., mounted the biggest challenges to Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly. Zoer, a team gold medalist at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Germany, put in a fault-free jump-off round aboard the Dutch-bred Oki Doki in 34.72 seconds to finish third and collect $24,244.

But Ward, who rode on the gold-medal-winning U.S. Equestrian Team at the last two Olympic Games, put in a ground-saving trip astride the mare Sapphire and got home in 33.77 seconds for second place and $38,581. The show jumping World Cup title will be awarded Sunday to the horse and rider that accumulate the least number of jumping and time penalties over two rounds on the course. That duo will also collect $67,850.

Based on their wins in Thursday's one-round speed event and Friday's jump-off, Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly will start with a score of zero. Ward, who was third in the speed competition, will start with two penalties. Zoer will start with four.

"My horse is a 16- year-old who feels like he's 9," Michaels-Beerbaum said. "I just have to keep him happy and keep my own concentration."

Nine-time dressage World Cup champion Anky van Grunsven of The Netherlands will face a serious challenge for the title from Steffen Peters of San Diego when a field of 12 takes center stage for their musical rides Saturday night.