Britain’s Ben Maher is new world number 1
The popular showjumper and Olympic gold medallist tops the Longines Rankings after an amazing few months. Ben's teammate Scott Brash has also broken into the top 10, at number 9
British showjumper Ben Maher is top of the Longines FEI World Showjumping Rankings for the first time in his career.
The achievement — which has seen him jump 18 places — rounds off a stellar few months for the showjumper.
Ben’s recent purple patch has seen him win the London leg of the Global Champions Tour in June with Jane Clark’s 11-year-old mare Cella, the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show (4 August) with his Olympic gold medalist Tripple X III and individual silver and team gold at the European Championships (20-24 August), on Cella.
“Wow, I can’t believe it, being ranked no 1 in the world,” tweeted Ben from Spruce Meadows, Calgary, where he is competing in the Masters this week.
“Thank you to my team, sponsors and all of my horses.”
Ben’s teammate, Scott Brash — who won individual bronze at the Europeans — is now ranked 9 in the world, up from 25. It’s the first time the 27-year-old from Peebles has broken into the top 10.
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However, the anchorman of Britain’s Olympic gold medal-winning team, Nick Skelton, has dropped out of the top 10, to 18.
Nick decided against taking Big Star to the Europeans and the stallion has now thrown a splint, meaning the pair cannot contest the second leg of the Rolex grand slam of showjumping in Calgary.
Germany’s Christian Ahlmann — who has been top of the rankings since December — has been pushed down to fourth. The veteran American lady rider Beezie Madden remains at number two, while Marcus Ehning (Germany) moves from five to three.
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Flora Watkins spent several years working for BBC News before moving into print, first as a staffer at Horse & Hound, before going freelance.