Text © World of Showjumping
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum’s former top horse Checkmate 4 (Contender x Pik Bube) has passed away at the age of 30, the German rider shared on social media on Tuesday.
After an illustrious career with Michaels-Beerbaum, who he partnered with as a 6-year-old, Checkmate was retired from the sport at the age of 20. During their time together, Michaels-Beerbaum and “Joey” won team gold at the 2010 World Championships in Kentucky (USA), team bronze at the 2009 European Championships at Windsor (GBR) and team gold at the 2005 European Championships in San Patrignano (ITA). The two also competed at two World Cup Finals and recorded many major victories together, including the CSI5* FEI World Cup in Lyon in 2010 and the CSI5* LGCT Grand Prix of Estoril that same year.
On her official Instagram account, Michaels-Beerbaum wrote: “I am very sad to say I lost my friend and partner in crime „Checkmate“ aka „Joey“ at 30 years-old. A horse of a lifetime with his unique style, high head carriage and U-shaped back, Joey went against everything traditional. But he loved to jump, particularly when he was going very fast! Joey carried me to victories in some of the fastest jump-offs I’ve ever ridden, including numerous World Cups and Grand Prixs. He won two team Gold medals at the World and European Championships and won the German Championships twice. Joey showed actively until he was 19 years-old and then joined his friend Shutterfly on the field behind our home for his remaining years. I hope he will reunite with his friend „Petey“ once again in the heavens above. I will miss you Joey.”
At World of Showjumping, our thoughts are with Meredith and all those close to Checkmate.