Pathfinder Ben Maher puts Great Britain in pole position in Olympic showjumping team final

Jennifer Donald's avatar
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Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly on their way to helping Britain win team gold.
Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly jump clear with one time fault in the team final.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Friday’s medal decider for the team Olympic showjumping at Paris 2024 has kicked off with plenty of drama from the first line riders, the time-allowed proving particularly tight.

But Great Britain’s pathfinder Ben Maher and super 11-year-old mare Dallas Vegas Batilly executed their second superb jumping clear of the Olympics, just succumbing to the 79sec time limit to come home with one penalty on the board. The mare looked to be loving the track set by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo, remaining beautifully balanced down some tough lines over some colourful Paris-themed fences.

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

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.