Britain’s Ben Maher finished third in the Grand Prix at Maastricht, Holland this weekend (26 November). Aboard the chestnut mare Bob’s Diamond, the 23 year-old cleared the jump-off in an impressive 47.34 sec to take third position behind France’s Roger Yves Bost and Holland’s Vincent Voom.
The 14-year-old Bob’s Diamond proved her capabilities earlier this season, when she finished second in the Hickstead Derby with David McPherson. This weekend’s result has cemented her partnership with Ben Maher – their double clear was one of only three in the class, despite a line-up of world class combinations.
Maher has enjoyed an excellent 2006 season, winning Grand Prix and Speed classes across Europe on Nikko IV, Give Me Remus and Mercurius. In January he was awarded the ‘Best Up and Coming Rider’ award at the BSJA Awards and in July he won the Hickstead Speed Derby title for a second consecutive year.
CSI4* Maastricht Grand Prix
1st Roger Yves Bost FRA Ideal de la Loge 0 0 38.45 secs
2nd Vincent Voorn NED Audi’s Alpapillon Armanie 0 0 40.87 secs
3rd Ben Maher GBR Bob’s Diamond 0 0 47.34secs
4th Albert Zoer NED Lincoln 0 4 39.31 secs
5th Gerco Schroder NED Eurocommerce Acapulco 0 4 41.04 secs
6th Piet Raymakers Jnr NED Van Schijndels Rascin 0 4 41.57 secs
