THERMAL, CA (January 10, 2011) — In two weeks time, show jumping action returns to Thermal, California for the 20th Anniversary of the HITS Desert Circuit. As entries continue to flood the corporate office, HITS is looking forward to welcoming international show jumping icon and California native Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum “home” to Thermal for the 2011 show season.
Michaels-Beerbaum is a three-time World Cup Champion and 2010 WEG Team Gold Medalist with a very long resume of show jumping achievements. Her first trip to Thermal was in 2009 when she led a riding clinic for the West Coast Active Riders in Thermal’s beautiful indoor arena. That trip left an impression on the California native and this season will be her first competing at the circuit. She will be traveling to Thermal with her husband Markus Beerbaum and their beautiful daughter Brianne Victoria, who will celebrate her first birthday on February 27 during the circuit.
“I’m very excited to come back to California and see my family, some old friends, and colleagues,” said Michaels-Beerbaum, who hasn’t competed on the West Coast since leaving more than 20 years ago. “Markus and I have a couple of students from California competing in Thermal who asked us to join them. After considering the options, we decided to come for the entire circuit and to bring some of our young horses to help develop them and prepare for the European summer schedule. I love doing something new and different, so I’m looking forward to being based out of Thermal for the winter. It will be a great opportunity for me, my family and our students.”
