Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum's success horse Checkmate 4 has been retired at the age of 20. The gelding by Contender x Pik Bube won team gold at the 2010 World Championships with Meredith in the saddle, as well as taking the team bronze at the 2009 European Championships - and was also on the winning German Nations Cup team in Wellington in 2012. The pair also had numerous other wins, such as taking the World Cup win in Lyon back in 2010 and the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Estoril in 2010 - to mention some.
Checkmate 4 will now enjoy the field with his former travel partner Shutterfly.