Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum ensured a double family celebration by winning the British Grand Prix at Hickstead.

The American-born German triumphed in a thrilling nine-horse jump-off to lift the £10,000 first prize.

Her success on Shutterfly came 24 hours after her brother-in-law, four times Olympic goal medallist Ludger Beerbaum, had won the King George V Gold Cup.

Yesterday's showpiece event doubled up as the fifth round of the Gold-Zack Riders Tour, which Ludger continues to lead.

Ludger had one fence down yesterday, which meant he could not add to his points tally in the Rider Tour standings, but the European champion was happy to help his brother Markus's wife to victory.

Meredith revealed: "He gave me some tips before I went into the ring. He told me what the others did and how I should ride.

"I didn't exactly match what he said but it worked out anyway."

It was a good week for Michaels-Beerbaum, who was part of the Nations Cup winning team on Thursday and finished fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Stella on Saturday. This was only her third show since returning from injury and she is now targeting a place in the German team for the World Championships in Jerez, Spain, in September.

She said: "I have been out of the sport for the last two months with a collar injury which happened just before the World Cup final. I was unable to go to the World Cup and have missed most of the summer.

"I am a bit behind the others but this weekend Shutterfly showed his ability and I would have thought he would be considered for the team."

Only two other riders recorded a double-clear on the final day of the 41st Royal International Horse Show. Frenchman Reynald Angot, on Tlaloc, was first to go in the jump-off and he immediately set the standard with a tremendous clear round, which was only bettered by Michaels-Beerbaum.

Angot said: "I had nothing to lose. It was my first time at Hickstead and I was just pleased to go clear."

Germans filled three of the top four positions, with Christian Ahlmann taking third and Lars Nieberg fourth, both with one fence down.

The only Briton in the jump-off was Richard Daveonport, who had finished second to Ludger Beerbaum on Saturday. He had just one fence down on Grand Marnier but was well adrift of his rivals' times and had to settle for sixth spot.

Defending champion Kevin Babington was eighth with two down on Carling King.

Ireland's Dermott Lennon, on Ginger Watt, won the Refco Speed Grand Prix with a time of 79.72sec, which edged out compatriot Robert Splaine in 79.88sec on Diamond Cuff.

Britain's Robert Whitaker was third on Livingston while Ahlmann was fourth despite being quickest around the course. His corrected time was 82.47sec.