Back with a bang: Olympic champions return to the ring in style

Ben Maher interview — Ben and Explosion

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Olympic champions Ben Maher and Explosion W have returned to the ring in fine style, jumping clear in a 1.50m class in Sentower, Belgium.

Ben had a fall in early February, when he was jumping at the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International, Florida. He sustained a shoulder injury and underwent surgery but was back in the saddle schooling horses seven weeks later.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

Back with a bang: Olympic champions return to the ring in style

He made a successful return to the ring at Sentower last week; on Thursday (4 May), jumping Dallas Vegas Batilly in a 1.35m class, Explosion W and Ginger-Blue in a 1.40m and his 2022 World Championship ride Faltic HB in a 1.45m.

Over the following two days, he jumped Explosion and Ginger-Blue at 1.50m, and the other two at 1.40m, all four horses jumping clear in both their classes with just two time-faults for Explosion in his 1.50m. Ginger-Blue won her 1.50m class.

“Great to be back in the ring!” Ben said.

Explosion has not competed internationally since the Aachen grand prix in July 2022. He was ruled out of the World Championships the next month, but Ben and Faltic jumped superbly to help win team bronze and finish fourth individually, a whisker behind the medals.

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