Meet Ben Maher: 2013 King George V Gold Cup winner

Showjumper Ben Maher, born on 30 January 1983 in Enfield, has enjoyed considerable success during his career and was a member of the Olympic gold medal-winning British team at London 2012.

Ben has been passionate about jumping since childhood, when he competed in junior BSJA with his 12.2hh pony Bowes Springbok, and has aspired to become a professional since he was 8.

Ben rode throughout his childhood, but only took showjumping seriously after he had finished his GCSEs. Ben’s early training was with Liz Edgar, but shortly after leaving school he went to Switzerland for two years to train with Beat Mandli, before returning to England to set up his own yard.

Ben was part of the Accenture Young Riders International squad from 2001-2004. In 2005 he claimed his first Nations Cup team place and has been a Nations Cup team regular ever since.

In 2005, at the age of 22, Ben won the Hickstead Derby, making him the youngest rider in 30 years to have done so. He also won the Hickstead Speed Derby at the same show.

Ben was selected for the 2008 Olympic team with Rolette, which was his first senior championship. Since the sale of Rolette, Ben has had a number of top class horses including Robin Hood W, who he took to the Rolex World Cup final in Las Vegas in early 2009.

His 2012 Olympic horse was the home-bred stallion Tripple X. This partnership was also part of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2011 European Championships in Madrid.

In June 2013 Ben landed the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London riding Cella at the Olympic Park in East London.

At Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show in August 2013, Ben triumphed against a top class international field to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup with Tripple X III.

Ben was part of the gold medal-winning British team at the European Championships in 2013 — where he also claimed individual silver.

Major achievements

• Team Gold European Young Rider Championships 2004
• Team Gold Pony European Championships 1998
• Team Gold Pony European Championships 1997
• Member of the Junior Team in 2001
• Member of the Young Rider Team in 2003
• Hickstead Derby and Speed Derby in 2005
• Represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games 2008
• Olympic team gold at London 2012 Olympic Games
• King George V Gold Cup in 2013 at Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show
• Team Gold and Individual Silver at European Championships in 2013

Read Ben’s top tips for winning a jump-off

See pictures of Ben winning Olympic team gold

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