Ben Maher’s top horse to stage comeback at Royal Windsor
After nearly nine months on the sidelines, Ben Maher’s top horse Cella will return to international competition next week at Royal Windsor Horse Show (13-17 May).
Jane Clark’s 13-year-old mare, with whom Ben won individual silver and team gold at the European Championships in Denmark in 2013, was withdrawn from the World Equestrian Games last August with a “small overreach injury”.
The Hertfordshire rider brought her back in to work in Florida earlier this year and she returns to the international stage at the CSI3* next week.
“It’s great to be back at Royal Windsor and competing on home soil,” said Ben. He also brings his Olympia grand prix winner Diva II and new ride Sarena to the show.
“It’s not often that I get to ride in front of a home crowd and it’s such a magical show set in an iconic venue — I can’t wait!”
Ben will be joined in the international classes by a quality field of fellow Brits. Lining up for some big-money classes are Peter Charles, Joe Davison, James Fisher, William Funnell, Tim Gredley, Jay Halim, Dan Neilson, Tim Page, Yazmin Pinchen, Laura Renwick, Nick Skelton, Robert Smith, Tim Stockdale and John and Robert Whitaker.
Three riders will represent Ireland — Trevor Breen, Dermott Lennon and Billy Twomey — and competitors from further afield include Jessica Springsteen and Laura Kraut of USA, and Abdullah Al Sharbatly of Saudi Arabia.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The highlight of the three-star jumping classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show is Sunday’s Alltech Grand Prix for the Kingdom Of Bahrain Trophy.
Don’t miss the following week’s Horse & Hound magazine (out Thursday 21 May) for all the action from the five-star show and keep up to date with all the Windsor news via the website
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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.