It’s Oscar night for speed king Ben Maher
Friday 17 December 2010
Britain’s top rider Ben Maher thrilled the crowd with an exhibition round of fast, precision jumping in the Christmas Speed Stakes at Olympia, the London International Horse Show, to take the honours on Lynsey Cook’s Oscar lX.
Last to go, he responded to the audience’s roar by doffing his hat, having shaved a remarkable 2 seconds off the seemingly impossible target set by speed specialist Robert Smith on his World Equestrian Games horse Talan.
Robert must have thought he had it in the bag having characteristically thrown down the gauntlet early with a brilliant fast round on Talan, which none of the rest of the 34-starter class seemed able to match.
The class showcased the course-designing skills of Brazilian maestro Guilherne Jorge, whose tight turns, especially into the upright double at fence 5, proved influential.
“Going last, I knew what I had to do and I perhaps took a chance at the last fence, but Oscar has done a great job for me in the last few months,” said Ben.
Ben has been concentrating on his younger horses in recent months, but reports his top horse Robin Hood to be back in action. And, excitingly, he has a brand new ride, Noctaubon Courcelle, for the Alltech Christmas Puissance tomorrow night. “He’s won a few puissance classes already, so there’s a bit of pressure!” warned Ben.
Last to go, he responded to the audience’s roar by doffing his hat, having shaved a remarkable 2 seconds off the seemingly impossible target set by speed specialist Robert Smith on his World Equestrian Games horse Talan.
Robert must have thought he had it in the bag having characteristically thrown down the gauntlet early with a brilliant fast round on Talan, which none of the rest of the 34-starter class seemed able to match.
The class showcased the course-designing skills of Brazilian maestro Guilherne Jorge, whose tight turns, especially into the upright double at fence 5, proved influential.
“Going last, I knew what I had to do and I perhaps took a chance at the last fence, but Oscar has done a great job for me in the last few months,” said Ben.
Ben has been concentrating on his younger horses in recent months, but reports his top horse Robin Hood to be back in action. And, excitingly, he has a brand new ride, Noctaubon Courcelle, for the Alltech Christmas Puissance tomorrow night. “He’s won a few puissance classes already, so there’s a bit of pressure!” warned Ben.
To listen to an interview with Ben Maher click here: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/OLY_Maher.mp3
Please click on the link(s) provided.
Ben Maher.jpg
For further information, please reply to Kelly Smith
Please click on the link(s) provided.
Ben Maher.jpg
For further information, please reply to Kelly Smith
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