Ben Maher

 

Born: 30 January, 1983
Lives: Hertfordshire
Place of Birth: Enfield
Nationality: British

 

International show jumper Ben Maher needs little introduction, being one of our top international rising showjumping stars –currently ranked number 1 in the UK and also in the top 5 internationally. Ben has been in the saddle since a small child and began showjumping very early on in his childhood with aspirations to be a professional since the age of eight!  He successfully competed in junior BSJA with his 12.2hh pony Bowes Springbok and after his GCSEs, Ben began to focus seriously on this discipline. He was fortunate to train with Liz Edgar – a name synounimous with top level showjumping, then after leaving school,  Ben went to Switzerland for two years to train with another great name Beat Mandli, before returning back to the UK and setting up his own yard.

Ben was part of the Accenture Young Riders International squad from 2001-2004 and in 2005 he claimed his first Nations Cup team place and has been a Nations Cup team regular ever since. Back in 2005, Ben won the Hickstead Derby, at just 22 years of age, this made him the youngest rider in 30 years to have done so. He also won the Hickstead Speed Derby at the very same show.

Competing two horses at grand prix level has made a real difference to the Hertfordshire-based rider's results.

A Rolex grand prix win in Zurich in January 2010 with Wonderboy III was followed by a win in the Nations Cup and third in the grand prix in Abu Dhabi in February for Robin Hood W and it was partnered with Wonderboy that  Ben clocked up third in the Mix Megapol in Gothenburg at the end of February to propel Ben into the top of his game. Ben is sponsored by Italian brand Equipe, which fits well with his international appeal and quest for perfection and style.