Michael Whitaker wins Aachen showjumping grand prix

Michael Whitaker may have been left out of the British showjumping team for the Olympics, but he stuck two fingers up to the selectors by winning the Rolex Grand Prix on the final day at Aachen, Germany.

Riding Beatrice Mertens’ GIG Amai, now fully recovered from the injury he suffered in Rotterdam last year, Michael jumped two careful clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off.

Only two other riders, both Germans – Thomas Voss and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum – did the same. Thomas was first to go and was clear, but Michael rode a brilliant, clever round to shave four seconds off his time.

Meredith had the final slot, but hit one fence on her nine-year-old mare Bella Donna to take third.

“I’m so happy and so proud,” said GIG Amai’s owner, Beatrice. “He deserves the win, and he deserves an Olympic place.”

Read H&H’s full report from Aachen in Thursday’s magazine, on sale 12 July 2012

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now