Maher wins for the Brits in Olympia Grand Prix
British passenger Ben Maher restored British hopes to win the Olympia Grand Prix at The London International Horse Show, riding Tripple X III to victory ahead of John Whitaker in addition to Argento.
In a stirring climax to a calendar week of nifty competition, the basis reveal 2 narrowly overhauled his 58-year-old compatriot John Whitaker, who had the audience on the border of their seats amongst his vintage display of bold riding on Argento.
Penelope Leprevost of France, 3rd on Flora de Mariposa, gear upwards the early on criterion amongst a beautifully judged clear inwards the 12-horse jump-off but, to the dwelling family crowd’s delight, Ben shell her past times nearly a second.
Whitaker hence produced his gallant effort, only a tiny banking concern check inwards front end of the penultimate combat toll him a fraction of a 2d in addition to showtime identify inwards 1 of the few competitions he has soundless to win.
Until then, solely 2 senior British riders had won classes, William Funnell in addition to Laura Renwick, who finished the present every bit H&M Leading Rider, in addition to Maher was the showtime to acknowledge that it hadn’t been 1 of his finest weeks – the 24-hour interval before, Tripple X hitting 2 fences inwards the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier.
“Actually, the Equus caballus was jumping good in addition to I felt he was on shape – it was me that needed to calm down,” Maher said. “I stimulate got been struggling all week, making mistakes I don’t unremarkably make, hence I went Christmas shopping in addition to changed my plan.”
His ain in addition to Quainton Stud’s home-bred stallion Tripple X III rattled the 2d combat inwards the jump-off, only Maher kept his head. “I heard the crowd gasp but, if anything, that helped me. There’s huge prize-money all over the basis only y'all can’t shell history in addition to all the people cheering. I’d rather win the Grand Prix at Olympia than anywhere else inwards the world.”
Amazingly, Mahern is the showtime British passenger to win the Olympia Grand Prix since Robert Smith inwards 2005, hence to stimulate got a British one-two was doubly encouraging in addition to greeted amongst rapturous applause past times the packed house.
“I’m excited nigh this horse,” said the sporting runner-up John Whitaker. “He’s improving all the fourth dimension in addition to was bang on today.”
And, although British riders sure enough did non stimulate got it all their ain agency this calendar week at Olympia, the H&M Leading Rider of Show accolade went to roughly other pop Brit, Laura Renwick, whose consistency meant she shell Peder Fredricson (SWE) past times 4 points to win the award.
Jur Vrieling (NED) was third, William Funnell (GBR) fourth, Italy’s Luca Moneta 5th in addition to the talented immature Dutchman, Maikel Van der Vleuten, winner of the Christmas Masters too every bit the Longines FEI World Cup, was sixth.
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