Ben Maher races to a five-star win in Dinard
Monday 03 August 2026
.jpg "Ben Maher races to a five-star win in Dinard")
Ben Maher proved the quickest in Saturday’s feature five-star class in Dinard, France, as Ginger-Blue galloped into the top spot.
Thirty-two combinations contested the Key Player Prize, a CSI5* 1.50m speed. Riding Jane Forbes Clark’s 15-year-old mare Ginger-Blue, Ben once again delivered a flawless performance at the halfway stage to take victory, remaining ahead despite the challenges. They finished 0.85 seconds ahead of France's Julien Anquetin and Farah Tame, while Belgium's Gudrun Patteet completed the podium one second behind the winner.
"Ginger-Blue is an incredible mare with a wealth of experience now, " said World No. 4 Ben. "She's naturally very quick and extremely careful. It's my first time competing in Dinard, and this show is simply exceptional because of its tradition. The arena is very unique with its natural slopes, and the atmosphere created by all the spectators is fantastic. "
Ben also picked up second in the Prix Mars & Co CSI5* 1.55m with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Enjeu De Grisien. Thirty-two competitors came forward over course-designer Jean-Francois Morand’s 13-fence, 16-effort track with 11 qualifying for the jump-off. However, two opted to withdraw at this point, leaving nine to battle it out against the clock.
Ben sliced the corners and angled fences with the Toulon x Andiamo 12-year-old Enjeu, but The Usa’s Lillie Keenan hit top speeds to gallop into victory by 1.55 seconds on the 12-year-old stallion Kick On (Warrior x Caretino Glory) – bred in Britain at Brendon Stud.
Scott Brash was top of the podium in the Prix Dinard Emeraude Equitation CSI3* 1.50m speed. He outpaced 56 rivals by an impressive 3.34 seconds on the 10-year-old mare Kohiba (Kannan x Carthago), pushing Margaux Rocuet (FRA) on Elektra De Premices and Steve Guerdat (SUI) aboard Dynamix De Belheme into second and third respectively.
Harry Charles enjoys a profitable weekend on the Longines Global Future Champions Tour
Harry Charles’ incredible run of form with the exceptional Bandit continued in Saturday’s feature class at the Longines Global Future Champions, Valkenswaard in The Netherlands.
Forty competitors contended the CSI4* 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier to deliver thrilling sport from riders of the highest calibre over course-designer Peter Schumacher’s (GER) 13-fence, 16-effort speed track. Harry extended his remarkable form to secure another standout victory aboard the consistent Bandit.
Harry produced another polished clear round, stopping the clock with 0.86 seconds to spare to take the top honours in a class packed with world-class combinations, including Marcus Ehning (GER) and Laura Kraut (USA). The result continues an exceptional streak for the pair, with the 11-year-old Bandit Obos Quality 004 x Cruisings Micky Finn) now winning four of his last five starts at 1.50m level, this the third at Valkenswaard plus another at Hickstead.
“I couldn’t really ask for much more,” said Harry. “We’ve had a super run at these shows in Valkenswaard and Bandit has been on incredible form. Four wins from his last five 1.50m classes says it all, really. He’s feeling great, so hopefully we can keep that momentum going.”
Day one’s 1.50m winner Mathijs van Asten (NED) slipped Hotspot into second with Brazil’s Yuri Masur filling third on Vitiki.
Following his victory in the 4* Grand Prix qualifier, Harry continued with his outstanding weekend to take second in the feature 4* Grand Prix, this time aboard his relatively new mount LT Holst Freda, his ride for the imminent World Equestrian Games.
Twelve from the field of 37 returned for the jump-off over Peter Schumacher’s (GER) 13-fence, 16-effort 1.55m track for a high-calibre jump-off. Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya delivered the fastest round of the day on Quadrado to score a 1.83 second win.
Harry guided the mare confidently and the pair looked increasingly established together, the 12-year-old Freda (Colman x Casall) producing another polished double clear to finish second, underlining the exciting potential of the partnership.
Harry also picked up second in the 2* Grand Prix in a 12-horse decider on the 10-year-old Ballypatrick Tiberius (Caligula x Messenger), 0.99 sec behind the winner, Brazil’s Yuri Mansur on Incanto VDL.
Max Routledge and Olli Fletcher score a win apiece at Sentower Park
Max Routledge steered new ride of three months Crosby Ter Doorn Z into the top spot of an early 3* 1.40m two-phase. The Comme Il Faut x Kentucky Ter Doorn eight-year-old beat 56 rivals for Max by the narrow margin of 0.02 seconds.
Olli Fletcher followed suit in the concluding 24-strong 3* 1.40m two-phase with Alison Walton’s 12-year-old Cajus 42 (Comme Il Faut 5 x Quidam’s Rubin), recording a win by 0.92 seconds.
Image: Sportfot
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