Ben Masters The Top Seven
Saturday 19 December 2009
Ben Maher and the aptly named Wonderboy captured the winner-takes-all Renault Christmas Masters, a contest for the top seven riders in the show so far.
The competition, in which riders nominate fences to be raised in each round, thus raising the stakes by £500 with every clear round, was of such a high standard that it went to a four-way jump-off for the £14,500 jackpot.
When Ellen Whitaker and Locarno had the last fence down, the baton was handed to Ben, who produced an immaculate display of power jumping on the 18hh grey, Wonderboy.
“Wonderboy is great at jumping verticals, which is why I kept choosing to put up fence 2,” explained Ben. “I hoped that others might have problems with it, and it’s what helped me survive each round.”
Michael Whitaker then faulted on GIG Tackeray and Italian sensation Natale Chiaudani had the first fence down on Milos du Plain.
Earlier, European Champion Kevin Staut went out in the third round – a fence down spells instant elimination – and Robert Whitaker, deputising for his injured father John on Casino, departed in the second.
Ben explained that it has taken him a while to find the key to Wonderboy, who came to him 12 months ago, having been produced by Georgie Strutton. Wonderboy has been acting as back-up to Robin Hood W, his World Cup ride in tomorrow's qualifier, and has been stepping up to the plate in style, finishing third in the World Cup qualifier in Verona last month.
“He’s very sensitive and it’s taken a long time to find the right buttons,” said Ben. “This class was ideal for him because going in and out after 5 short rounds felt like schooling to him, and he relaxed. He likes Olympia, but he doesn’t like the spotlight.”