Lexington, KY ­– Oregon rider Rich Fellers improved his overnight third place ranking in the Rolex FEI World Cup Final today in Goteborg, Sweden to finish second overall just two penalties behind Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly. A former Californian – but now riding for Germany ­– Michaels-Beerbaum won the Final in 200 and Shutterfly was the 2007 FEI Horse of the Year.

Riding Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Irish Sport Horse stallion Flexible, Fellers had four faults in the first round of today’s two round competition, and was one of only four clears in the second round.

Overnight leader Jessica Kurten and Castle Forbes Libertina could not maintain her lead and finished tied for seventh with US rider Peter Wylde and Louisburg Farm’s Esplanade.

Michaels-Beerbaum put steady pressure on the field, improving on her fourth place overnight ranking by turning in the only double clear performance of the day.

Twenty-six riders out of the starting field of 39 qualified for today’s final two-rounder, including nine of the 10 from the U.S. leagues. Twenty were eligible to come back for Round Two, and the US still had seven in the hunt. Overall, the United States had the best World Cup Final finish in memory, with seven of 10 riders finishing in the top 19.

1. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum/Shutterfly GER (4 faults overall)

2. Rich Fellers/Flexible USA (6 faults overall)

3. Heinrich Hermann Engemann/Aboyeur W GER (9 faults)

4. Beat Mandli/Ideo du Thot SUI (12)

Ludger Beerbaum/All Inclusive GER (12)

Jessica Kurten/Castle Forbes Libertina IRL (12)

7. Peter Wylde/Esplanade USA (15)

Steve Guerdat/Tresor V SUI (15)

9. Michael Whitaker/Suncal Portofino GBR (18)

10. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson/Ninja La Silla SWE (19)

11. Helena Lundback/Madick SWE (20)

12. Patrick McEntee/Ever Mury Marais Z BEL (21)

13. Kent Farrington/Up Chiqui USA (22)

14. Lauren Hough/Quick Study USA (26)

15. Rutherford Latham/Guarana Champeix ESP (29)

16. Royne Zetterman/Isaac SWE (30)

17. Danielle Torano/Vancouver d'Auvrey USA (36)

18. Richard Spooner/Cristallo USA (42)

19. Mandy Porter/Summer USA (48)

Other US placings were:

21. Brianne Goutal/Onira USA

23. Todd Minikus/Olinda USA

For complete results, go to www.goteborghorseshow.se/pages/menu/1.

For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at [email protected].