Shutterfly Retires!

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum made the decision this week to retire her legendary Grand Prix mount, Shutterfly, after their win in the 1.55 class in Aachen (Germany) on Wednesday.  She wanted him to retire while he was still on top.  The fabulous gelding has been with Michaels-Beerbaum since he was six.  He is 18 I believe.  He does not like being around strangers, he dislikes getting the saddle put on and he definitely tries to avoid ceremonies so it was the first time he has been to a ceremony in nine years.  He has won more classes than most riders could ever dream of.  He has two World Cup Final wins as well as the European Championships and he was been to at least one Olympics.  He could beat McLain Ward's Sapphire, one of the few horses out there that can do this. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is an American who married into the illustrious Beerbaum family, equestrian royalty in Germany.  She has lived in Germany for many years and recently had her first child. 

He is a once in a lifetime horse, that is for sure.  Hope he enjoys his well earned retirement!