Ben Maher is back with a bang on the mighty Explosion W
Sunday 14 May 2023
It wasn’t the win the Royal Windsor crowd were rooting for, but Olympic champions Ben Maher and the powerful Explosion W are back where they belong at the top level of the sport, taking second in a nail-biting 5* Rolex grand prix jump-off by less than half a second. Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs took full advantage of his late draw to claim victory on Conner Jei.
Ben had to take time out with a broken shoulder following a fall early in the year out at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Wellington, USA, and consequent operation and physiotherapy, while this was only Explosion’s second show since July last year. The pair had an easy run out at the Sentower Park 3* in Belgium a week ago.
Thirty-two competitors came forward to bid for glory over an imposing 1.60m grand prix track devised by Portugal’s course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral with nine finding the key to make their way into a tense but exciting jump-off.
Bertram Allen was first off on the scopey Pacino Amiro to set a competitive target but Ben cruised round on Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s mighty 14-year-old Explosion (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet Du Rouet) to wipe 0.73 seconds off the time. However, Martin and the Connor 48 12-year-old Conner Jei edged ahead by 0.40 seconds to take the coveted Rolex Grand Prix.
Ben declared he was very happy with the result: “I would have taken this three months ago and Explosion jumped incredible. I’m very proud of my team to bring him back after eight or nine months off and he jumped just two small classes before coming here, showing his experience in a Grand Prix like that.
“I did what I had to do and took a lot of risks and nine times out of 10 I would have won but it’s never over when you have Martin following you. On the day, he was the better rider.”
Ben also talked about his shoulder injury: “I didn’t know how I would hold up in the last two weeks and it has taken a lot of pain to get here but hope I can build on it. I’m thankful to my owners for being so patient; I was originally told I wouldn’t be able to ride for six months but I’ve come back in three.”
Ben invested in the help of German/Ukranian showjumper and 1996 Olympic champion Ulrich Kirchhoff.
“He rode my horses in Wellington – there is no better grounds person – while I sat on the couch and watched, and he kept riding over to tell me how lucky I was. I kept him on to train me and build up my confidence. I don’t think I could have done any better today, I have an incredible horse in Explosion and I wouldn’t change anything. Well, maybe, Martin is a good friend of mine and I wish I’d given him a bit more breakfast to slow him down!”
Martin interjected: “But you have a lot of screws in your shoulder to slow you down!”
Martin had a similar story to Ben regarding his horse: “Conner Jei had a lot of shows last year so he had the indoor season off but I was struggling with him in the grand prix classes [when he returned]. I didn’t have the control or his scope and I wondered what I could do different to make him the best horse again. I called my uncle Markus [Fuchs, five-time Olympian for Switzerland and team silver medallist at Sydney 2000] and he has worked the horse for me three times a week and all last week at home while I was at a show.”
“I tried to ride similar lines to Ben and he did seven strides to the second last but I wasn’t as tight on the turn and really had to push for the seven strides – my thinking: ‘Close my eyes and push!’ – I think that’s what made it quicker in the end. The Rolex Grands Prix are at the nicest shows in the world, I’m very proud to be a Rolex ambassador and part of the Rolex family,” said Martin.
Jack Whitaker comes agonisingly close in the Manama Stakes
Royal Windsor ambassador Jack Whitaker was the tiniest fraction off winning the 5* Manama Rose Stakes with Equine America Valmy De La Lande.
Twenty-seven competitors came forward in this 1.50m speed class. Last to go Jack chased hard but was beaten by just 0.04 seconds with the Mylord Carthago 14-year-old. Frontrunner Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet claimed the top spot aboard Clarity with Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat in third on Double Jeu D’Honvault.
“Gregory took us all by surprise, but I stuck to my plan and cut corners; maybe if I had chased that bit harder at the last, I would have won,” said Jack. “He’s my best horse but he’s his own character and knows his own mind; you have to work with him and be gentle and subtle, there’s no telling him what to do. But you can tell when he’s on the ball, he’s pulling you as soon as you get on him.”
Antonia Platt makes a flying visit to be crowned Under 25 Champion
A delighted Antonia Platt was declared new Defender under 25 Champion with Marvin Van De Waterhoeve. Six of the original 33 starters posted initial clears to access the jump-off with Antonia and the Falco x Game Boy 12-year-old in flying form to take the win by 1.62 seconds.
“He’s got plenty of stride and scope, I took out a stride between the second and third fence and did seven strides instead of eight to the last. He’s nothing short of fantastic and the golden child of the yard, definitely King of the castle, an amazing person and a genuinely nice guy – he’s my best friend,” said Antonia.
The win was even more special as Antonia hadn’t sat on Marvin since Chepstow International 2* two weeks earlier.
“I’m currently studying agriculture at Nottingham University and it is all down to the never-ending support from my parents David and Rosalind – who rides Marvin at home and keeps him fit – I can do this, they’re there every step of the way, it’s a team effort,” said Antonia, 21, who is usually based in Chelmsford, Essex. “Marvin has heart and courage but I’m so much more confident wearing my Helite air vest, I tell everyone to buy one.”
Image: Royal Windsor Horse Show/Peter Nixon
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