‘I was looking at other jobs – I wasn’t sure I could make showjumping pay’: Ben Maher reveals which horse turned his life around

Ben Maher and Rolette at the Hong Kong Olympics in 2008 — Ben Maher and Rolette at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Ben Maher may have the showjumping world at his feet as the popular British showjumper reigns as the new Olympic champion with a world-beating string of horses that includes the superstar Explosion W.

But rewind 14 years and for a while things looked pretty bleak for the Hertfordshire rider as he reveals to H&H showjumping editor Jennifer Donald in this week’s third and final festive edition of The Horse & Hound Podcast, currently supported by Veredus and its UK distributor Zebra.

“Rolette jumped amazing, we had some good team rounds then I was clear in the first round of the individual final and I went into the second round – it was a different format back then – and unfortunately after a couple of jumps something went a little bit wrong with her and she had a few jumps down. That was very disappointing because I felt we had a good chance there, albeit at my first Olympics.

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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.

‘I was looking at other jobs – I wasn’t sure I could make showjumping pay’: Ben Maher reveals which horse turned his life around

Ben Maher: “Within 12 months we were at the Olympics”

But, says Ben, Daniel Paul’s Dutch-bred Lester x Voltaire mare was dropped off at his stables after a life-changing phone call.

“She got sent to me as a nice horse and she was very nice natured,” says Ben. “Within 12 months we found ourselves at the Olympic Games.

“My first Olympics was a dream come true,” says Ben. “I was very young at the time, especially compared with the other riders on the team, so I was young and naive – although that’s sometimes an advantage!

“But it definitely helped give me experience for more recent times.”

How different Ben’s life story could have been, had it not been for Rolette…

‘An unforgettable year’: Olympic champion Ben Maher honoured at London International Horse Show

‘What an amazing feeling’: Ben Maher and Explosion W win the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final – despite a ‘plan B’ turn

Ben Maher wins Olympic showjumping individual GOLD at Tokyo Games

Meet Ben Maher’s Tokyo Olympic ride Explosion W