Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum: The Queen of Show Jumping
What is it like for women on the International show jumping circuit? Show jumping legend Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, the only woman to conquer the World No.1 ranking, lifts the lid on her extraordinary career and reveals why the Rolex Grand Slam is the ultimate prize.
By Glorious
Photographer’s: Ashley Neuhof and Lindsay Brock
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, a name etched into the annals of equestrian history, stands alone as the only woman to have conquered the pinnacle of show jumping by attaining the World No.1 ranking. Her extraordinary career, marked by unparalleled skill and steadfast determination, has made her a global icon.
Glorious headed to the beating heart of the equestrian world, CHIO Aachen, which hosts just one of the four events to make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. We sat down with Meredith to discuss the most difficult-to-obtain trophy in the equestrian world, and gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of a sport historically dominated by men. From the sacrifices made to balance her personal life with the relentless demands of the global circuit, to the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, this candid conversation offers a rare glimpse into the world of a true show jumping legend.
Glorious: You are the first and only woman to be ranked World No.1 show jumping. What have you done differently to other female riders to get to world number one?
Meredith: That is an interesting question that I get asked a lot, especially now because there are very few women in the world’s Top 50 for show jumping, even less in the Top 30, and there are currently none in the Top 10. I was able to maintain my World No.1 ranking for 24 months. The months were not consecutive, I did lose the title for one month here and there, but collectively it was 24 months, which is a long period of time. At one point when I was ranked World No. 1, there were five women in the Top 10, making up 50%, which was incredible. I think things were different back then. There were not quite as many shows as there are now. Nowadays, the five-star shows require an enormous amount of travelling. It is impossible to have any sort of other life if you want to be World No.1 – you have to travel globally week in and week out. When I was World No.1 I did travel a lot, but that was before I had a family and my daughter, so it was possible. Now, I think riders who want to reach the very top have to be on the road every single week.
It’s interesting to question what I’ve done differently to other female riders to get to No.1. It’s not because of talent or a lack of – there are female riders out there today who are fabulously talented! To reach World No.1 you need to have a number of talented horses – I had three excellent horses – Shutterfly, Checkmate and Le Mans – which got me round the global circuit. But to make it to the top of the world rankings, I really think you need more than three. This is because of all the travelling involved – one week you will be in the Middle East, then go to Mexico, or Europe, or Asia for example. Not only is this something to consider for the horses, but particularly for female riders. Essentially, all of these factors combined has made it difficult for women, particularly if they choose to have a family. Traditionally, women take care of children as well as their aging parents, and once she decides to commit to a family like this, it makes it increasingly difficult for her to obtain the points needed to make it to World No.1 in show jumping.
Glorious: Why do female rankings in show jumping vary to the other disciplines (for example eventing and dressage)? Is there anything being done to change this?
Meredith: Dressage is a good example because there are a lot of females who are in the top rankings, as they don’t need to compete nearly as much as to reach World No.1 as in show jumping. Only points from a certain number of dressage shows count towards the world rankings. If show jumping were to mirror this system, I would not be surprised if there was a female World No.1 again. Conversely in show jumping, points from all of the five-star shows count, so riders have to end up ‘chasing points’ to become World No.1. This means that in show jumping, riders cannot take a month off, or give their horse a three month break, for example. They might also be more tactical with the shows they’re entering, although this is something I wanted to avoid throughout my career. Another difference is that in dressage, one horse can enable you to be World No.1.
That is just not possible in show jumping for the reasons I mentioned before! Whilst I am more familiar with dressage, I believe eventing is similar. The riders do not have to compete nearly as much for their place in the rankings and the events they need to compete in are limited. In summary, I think it’s the vast amount of travelling required to reach World No.1 in show jumping that has made it harder for a woman to reach the top spot.
Glorious: Who do you think the next woman could be to take your spot as World No.1?
Meredith: I think I think Beezie Madden was the one who came the closest, she was World No.2, and Laura Kraut has also been a top ranked rider for a long time. However, I think the next real chance for someone to make it to World No.1 is going to be someone from the next generation. The young women coming along now are outstanding riders with a lot of financial support, and I hope for them that they will be the next to have the opportunity! riders with a lot of financial support, and I hope for them that they would be the next to have the opportunity.
Knowledge
Glorious: You’ve previously mentioned the physical demands from all the travelling and the lengthy competitions. What were some of the personal sacrifices you made to make it to number one?
Meredith: To be honest, I was following my dream. I was frequently winning five-star classes but it took a while to get to the place where I became World No.1. However when I did reach the top of the rankings, I remember saying to my husband, Marcus, and my stable grooms who had been with me for many years, that I was not going to change my lifestyle to try and maintain my World No.1 status. I wasn’t going to start choosing shows according to points or changing anything about the management of my horses. I stuck to this, and my success kept me at World No.1 for 24 months. I made no deviation from what I was doing or the welfare of my horses at that time. It was just the basic success I was having that kept me at World No.1 and I am proud to say that, because in earlier years as a junior I remember chasing points to qualify for things in America and various FEI World Cup™ competitions for example, which was a lot of pressure. When I was World No.1 I specifically chose not to do that, which I think is partly why Shutterfly carried on until he was 18-years-old, and won his last class here at the CHIO Aachen at that age, and Checkmate went on competing until he was 19 years of age.
Glorious: Now that you’re no longer competing, how are you involved in the Rolex Grand Slam? How is it to watch from the sidelines?
Meredith: I miss competing, particularly at events like the CHIO Aachen, which is such a special place, and the CHI Geneva too – another great example of an amazing show, both of which are also Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors. It makes me slightly sad when I go to those events and I’m not competing, but it is very fun for me to watch the competitions and to cheer on my colleagues, friends, and Rolex Testimonee family.
Now, I’ve pivoted my focus to training and passing on some of my knowledge to the next generation. A real highlight for me is helping my 14-year-old daughter who is competing week in and week out, and doing extremely well. She qualified for the FEI European Championships in both the Children and Pony categories. She has chosen to compete in the Children’s for now, but she won both National Championships earlier this year in Germany. Last year she was indoor champion in Germany and champion at the Aachen Christmas show. She has already won team gold at the FEI Children’s European Championship last year, so as a young rider she has had an amazing career already, and that has been so fun for me to watch and support her. It brings back a lot of memories.
Glorious: Do you still ride or own your own horses?
Meredith: Yes, I still ride between two and six horses almost every day! I mainly do flatwork and ride the horses to help my students, occasionally over small jumps. I haven’t jumped a large course in a long time, largely because I had a herniated disk that needed operating on. The injury has completely healed now, but I don’t jump as often now as a result of that. While I have no problem physically, I really enjoy bringing on the younger horses and helping my students.
Glorious: If you didn’t show jump, is there another career you think you would have pursued?
Meredith: When I was a student I was really interested in international politics, I think that is what led me East from California to Princeton University, and then East again to Europe! Perhaps I might have done something within that field – I always wanted to see the world and I still hope to make the world a better place. Now that I’m older I’ve taken up golf. Had I never sat on a horse and instead had someone in my family that played golf, I can see myself having become a professional golfer. It’s not in question though now!
Glorious: We’ve never been to the CHIO Aachen. What makes it the mecca of the equestrian world? Any hidden gems or tips for if we paid a visit?
Meredith: The CHIO Aachen is just incredible. The stadium, the arena and the competitions that happen within the arena are absolutely phenomenal. It is one of the best, if not the best, shows in the world. The arena is enormous, and is overlooked by a stadium which seats 45,000 spectators, and it gets filled almost every day of the show. The best of the best horses and riders across all disciplines come to the CHIO Aachen, making the competition the highest level in equestrian sport. Every class is fantastic to watch whether it be the smaller classes or the Rolex Grand Prix, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, on the final Sunday of the show.
For horses and their riders, the stables for the horses are immaculate, the warm-up facilities beat any other showground in the world, and the turf in the arena is impeccable regardless of the weather. It’s the crème-de-la-crème of shows for horses, riders, and spectators!
As a spectator, there’s so much the CHIO Aachen has to offer from shops, to wonderful places to eat, a kids club for children, all sorts of events and games, and just so much entertainment. There is not just jumping for spectators to watch, but four other disciplines including vaulting, eventing, driving and dressage. As a show, it is not just for an equestrian lover, but for anyone or any family looking for a great day out.
entertainment
Glorious: It’s the 25th year Rolex has been the Main Sponsor at the CHIO Aachen. How has the competition progressed since 1999?
Meredith: Every year there is something new here at the CHIO Aachen, it’s continuously improving. It’s always been superb, but the depth of talent has got better and better over the years, so there are now even more competitive horses and riders in the mix to win the Rolex Grand Prix. Years ago it was only a handful, but now almost every combination to enter the ring for the Rolex Grand Prix is capable of winning the class, which makes it so exciting. There are other enhancements to the show, for example they’ve really worked on the ground, so if there’s rain there’s no question of a horse having any trouble jumping.
Glorious: What’s your favourite memory across all your years at the Rolex Grand Slam? And what’s your favourite event of the Rolex Grand Slam?
Meredith: The CHIO Aachen is my favourite Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, without a doubt. I think the concept of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping makes it even more special. The shows that are part of the concept are fabulous and the idea of being a Rolex Grand Slam winner is a dream come true for any rider. For me the CHIO Aachen is the best, but the other Majors are also phenomenal, for example the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Master’ Tournament is the best show in North America and the CHI Geneva that is an indoor show, is the best indoor competition in the world. Altogether, with the concept of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and each one of the Majors having their unique and special qualities makes it so spectacular. more visible. I am really looking forward to my job and role within that.
Glorious: Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Meredith: At the moment, I would invite Taylor Swift. My 14-year-old daughter, Brianne, knows every lyric of every song and is a true ‘Swiftie’. She has been updating me on every detail about Taylor Swift and every lyric and why it was written. I think she would actually make a very interesting person to have for dinner!
Glorious: What’s next for Meredith?
Meredith: I’m really enjoying my new lifestyle and I’ve had a really fun week here at the CHIO Aachen hosting the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping ‘Slam Show’ (a TCG series sharing exclusive insights and behind the scenes), but also being called on as an expert to help the public understand the sport better. This is the direction I’m taking now – not just training or sharing my knowledge with the future generation, but also helping to raise public awareness and promote long-term advancements in the sport. That’s why I enjoy being a Rolex Testimonee, because Rolex is truly invested in supporting show jumping and its longevity. I’m really looking forward to playing a role within that.
Follow Meredith on her journey to inspiring the next generation of show jumpers on her Instagram channel, @meredith_mb , and @rolex_grand_slam to follow along with all four of the majors that make up the world’s most competitive show jumping event!
This piece features stunning photographs captured at CHIO Aachen in July 2024 by sports photographers Ashley Neuhof and Lindsay Brock, commissioned by Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and Glorious Sport. Additionally, archival imagery from Meredith is included.
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