Aachen, 06. July 2008

Statements after the ROLEX Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Aachen
Zoer wins ahead of Ludger Beerbaum and Carsten-Otto Nagel

Four hundredths of a second separated Ludger Beerbaum from his fourth triumph in the ROLEX Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Aachen. In the jump-off on Sunday amid beautiful weather and in front of ten thousands of spectators, the Dutch rider Albert Zoer rode clear to victory with Sam (49,99 sec.) ahead of Beerbaum on All Inclusive (0/49.03) and Carsten-Otto Nagel on Corradina (0/49.33).

Question: Albert Zoer, you have already received a great deal of praise for riding clear in all three rounds of this year's ROLEX Grand Prix. Did you find the course easy?

Albert Zoer: Not at all, each of the three rounds was demanding. But my horse simply jumped brilliantly, he was absolutely incredible. Nevertheless, Oki Doki is still my horse for the Olympic Games.

Question: Mr. Beerbaum, your weren't quite quick enough today. Where did you lose the decisive time?

Ludger Beerbaum: Our round in the jump-off was almost perfect, but not quite perfect enough. All Inclusive couldn't have jumped better, he was in excellent form. I didn't take the turn tightly enough at the Mercedes oxer and had to put in an extra canter stride. Whereas Albert's round in the jump-off was absolutely perfect, so he deserved to win.

Question: You are not too disappointed then?

Beerbaum: I am very satisfied with my week here in Aachen overall. And considering the top riders who were all in the jump-off today, for instance Beezie Madden or Meredith, I could just as easily have been further down the results list.

Question: What conclusion can we come to after the successes celebrated here at the CHIO Aachen with regards to the Olympic Games in Hong Kong?

Beerbaum: What happens in seven weeks time, will have nothing to do with Aachen anymore. In Hong Kong we will be riding on sand, not grass. There will be a completely different atmosphere, the stadium is smaller. Jumping is not easily calculable. This time All Inclusive, who I will be competing in Hong Kong with, was top fit.

Question: Mr. Nagel, where did the difficulties of the course lie today?

Carsten-Otto Nagel: Quite a few of the horses had difficulties with the water jumps of the double combination, some of the horses let themselves get distracted. The course was extremely demanding, because the course designer Frank Rothenberger had built all of the jumps very high and very wide. So I am highly satisfied at coming third.