Congratulations to Ben Maher - Britain brings home 1st & 2nd in the Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, Wellington
Monday 27 February 2012
 (1).jpg "Congratulations to Ben Maher - Britain brings home 1st & 2nd in the Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, Wellington")
The seventh week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded yesterday with an exciting eleven horse jump-off in the $32,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Nick Skelton scored yet another big win with Big Star, owned by Beverley Widdowson. Second place went to fellow British rider Ben Maher on Quiet Easy 4, owned by Quainton Stud.
There were fifty four entries competing over a course set by Germany's Olaf Petersen Jr. in the 1.50m class. Eleven of those were clear in the first round to continue over the shortened jump-off course. Nick and Big Star were drawn 9th to go in the jump off and with a bold gallop, they brought home the winning time down of 33.29 seconds.
"I saw Ben on the screen and knew he was quick," Nick recalled. "I know Big Star's quick. When you let him go, he can go! He has a big stride and in a big ring like that you can go. The course was quite a running course today in the jump-off, so it was easy to let him go. He still keeps his shape, even if he's going quick."
Five horses earlier, Ben and Quiet Easy 4 finished in 34.39 seconds. The previous leader was Teirra, ridden by Laura Kraut (USA) for Stars and Stripes, who were clear in 35.60 seconds for fourth place.
Saturday saw Ben pick up another placing, coming home 3rd in the 1.60m Fidelity Investments Grand Prix riding his own and Quainton Studs 10 year old black gelding Tripple X III. Ben was one of only seven clears in the first round, coming home clear again in the jump off in a time of 39.50 seconds secured him 3rd position.
For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Final Results: $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
1. BIG STAR: NICK SKELTON (GBR): 0/0/33.29 seconds
2. QUIET EASY 4: BEN MAHER (GBR): 0/0/34.39 seconds
3. S&L SLINGBACK: DARRAGH KERINS (IRL): 0/0/35.49 seconds
4. TEIRRA: LAURA KRAUT (USA): 0/0/35.60 seconds
5. OPAL DU GOLFE: MARIE HECART (FRA): 0/0/37.24 seconds
6. DOMINO: JOS VERLOOY (NED): 0/0/38.26 seconds
ENDS
Notes to editors
Photo Credit: Photos © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.us.sportfot.com. This photo may be used only in relation to this press release.
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