Ben Maher eyes the podium as he starts World Championships individual final in strong position
What will Ben Maher and Point Break do on their rest day at the showjumping World Championships? And where would an individual medal fit into Ben’s career?
Ben Maher is in third going into tomorrow’s showjumping World Championships individual final, with a great chance to add to Britain’s medal haul.
Ben and the 12-year-old bay stallion Point Break, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, have not hit a rail in three rounds of jumping so far, leading Britain to bronze in last night’s team final.
They sit on 1.01 penalties, behind the joint-leaders Steve Guerdat and Daniel Deusser, who each have 0.86 of a penalty on their card.
Asked how he’ll prepare today late last night after the team medal ceremony, which took place in pouring rain, Ben said: “Rest. Go and get a shower, warm up this evening.
“For me, Point Break’s been great. He did a lot of work the past few days so he’ll hack around, then we’ll let the horses have a nice off day and prepare for Sunday.”
Ben was individual Olympic champion at the Tokyo Olympics on Explosion W and has twice won European individual silver. The Hertfordshire rider has finished fourth individually at three of his past four championships and he seeks his first world individual medal. Last night’s bronze was his 11th senior championship medal in all.
Germany’s Daniel Deusser, who secured team gold for the home side last night, said his plan for Otello De Guldenboom is similar to Ben’s: “It’s already late tonight, so the grooms and also the horses will rest a little bit. Maybe also the riders tomorrow morning.
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“We have a second veterinary inspection in the late afternoon tomorrow. I think we’re going to ride them a little bit before that, walk them a little bit, and then we go into Sunday.”
The joint-leader Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat commented on how his Paris 2024 individual silver medallist Dyanamix De Belheme jumped yesterday after his clear round: “I’m kind of happy, but not completely happy.
“The way the triple combination happened wasn't planned. I wanted to come in slow, but that was maybe a little too slow, and she responded too well to what I wanted, so I ended up being very far off part b and even further to c, so she had to make a huge effort coming out.
“She really helped me today, so I’m very proud of her and I hope I can make it up to her on Sunday.”
Steve has been Olympic and European champion (in 2023 on the same mare he rides here in Aachen, Dynamix De Belheme), while Daniel is looking for his first individual championship medal, of any colour.
Britain’s Scott Brash is in 10th with Hello Mango after having the first fence down yesterday, so he still has a shot at an individual medal but will be relying on others making mistakes to move on to the podium.
Eight-time championship medallist Scott has not yet won an individual gold.
The top 25 start tomorrow, so Britain’s Harry Charles and LT Holst Freda will also have a chance to add to their Aachen experience, although being realistic, in 23rd place they are unlikely to win a medal.
After the first round tomorrow, the top 12 go through to the final medal decider.
Who has qualified for the individual final at the showjumping World Championships?
- Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme (SUI)
- Daniel Deusser and Otello De Belheme (GER)
- Ben Maher and Point Break (GBR)
- Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42 (GER)
- Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Singclair (GER)
- Abdel Said and Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z (BEL)
- Piergiorgio Bucci and Hantano (ITA)
- Roberto Teran Tafur and Dez'Ooktoff (COL)
- Armando Trapote and Tornado VS (ESP)
- Scott Brash and Hello Mango (GBR)
- Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi and Enjoy De La Mure (UAE)
- Laura Kraut and Baloutinue (USA)
- Giulia Martinengo Marquet and Delta Del'Isle (ITA)
- Richard Vogel and United Touch S (GER)
- Thibeau Spits and Impress-K Van't Kattenheye Z (BEL)
- Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie De Beaufour (FRA)
- Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz (IRL)
- Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Equine America Harwich VDL (NOR)
- Stephan De Freitas Barcha and Cheveaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio (BRA)
- Caroline Rehoff Pedersen and Polonis L (DEN)
- McLain Ward and High Star Hero (USA)
- Eugenio Garza Perez and Contago (MEX)
- Harry Charles and LT Holst Freda (GBR)
- Carlos Hank Guerreiro and H5 Shaq Attack (MEX)
- Ibrahim Hani Bisharat and Lesther (JOR)
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.