Ben Maher begins his Rolex Grand Slam journey as he lands the CPKC International presented by Rolex
Monday 14 September 2026
Ben Maher landed the prestigious CPKC International Grand Prix presented by Rolex with Enjeu De Grisien to finish the Spruce Meadows Masters on a high. Ben now embarks on the Rolex Grand Slam journey, hoping to achieve three Rolex major wins for the Grand Slam prize.
Thirty-nine of the top riders of the world came forward to face a formidable 13-fence, 17-effort 1.60m track designed by Leopoldo Palacios, technicalities and a tight time allowed and an early open water on an unusual rollback turn testing horse and rider ability. Only seven mastered the course, including Germany’s Richard Vogel with United Touch S on their bid for the Rolex Grand Slam. The clear rounds were joined by one rider on one time fault and the four fastest four-faulters to make 12 carrying their faults for the second round over a different, slightly shorter track of 12 fences and 15 efforts.
Following a fall from Catelly 24 hours earlier in the Nations Cup, Ben was nursing a sore shoulder but valiantly carried on in this major pinnacle of the Spruce Meadows Masters. On four faults from round one when the back rail of the first element of the penultimate combination fell, Ben made no mistake second time out to post a solid clear round with Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter’s 14-year-old Enjeu De Grisien (Toulon x Andiamo). But those initial clears could not maintain the momentum and in the event, six tied on four faults to embark on a tense, exciting jump-off.
Ben was one of the first riders into the jump-off and delivered exactly what was required, producing a brilliant clear round and setting a target that would prove untouchable.
Richard Vogel followed, but an unfortunate rail in the double combination ended his hopes of completing the Rolex Grand Slam.
When final rider Lillie Keenan (USA), who slotted Fasther into second place, crossed the finish line 0.45 seconds in arrears, Ben’s time remained unbeaten, securing the 2026 CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex title. Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat finished third with Albfeuhrens Iashin Sitte.
“They are [the Rolex Grand Slam Majors] tough competitions to win. We travel year-round to 5* events, but the Rolex Majors are the pinnacle of the sport and we keep coming back and we keep trying.” said Ben, on his victory.
Only three of the 54 starters mastered the 1.55m track in the Cana Cup to contend the jump-off, and all three jumped clear again to make it all about the clock. Ben gave Catelly an easy run in readiness for their Nations Cup duty for Britain t finish six seconds behind the winner, The USA’s Lillie Keenan on Kick On – a Warrior x Caretino Glory 12-year-old bred in Britain by Brendon Stud.
Jack Whitaker eased Skyfall OS into third in the Atco Cup. Eleven of the original field of 46 returned for the jump-off after conquering the 1.50m first round. Jack moved the Diamant De Semilly x Heartbreaker 10-year-old into another clear to finish 0.62 seconds behind the winner, Ireland’s Conor Swail on Casturano.
Tim Gredley steered Vuitton of Picobello Z into third in the Suncor Cup. Nine of the original 28 starters returned clear rounds over the 12-fence course to contend the jump-off. Tim was in the favourable final draw but opted for an easy clear on the Vagabond De La Pomme 10-year-old to take third more than eight seconds behind the speedy winner, Ireland’s Jordan Coyle of For Gold. Canada’s Sean Jobin finished second on Arkuga – an Arko x Heartbreaker 15-year-old bred and produced by Laura Renwick.
Holly Smith and Harry Charles take four-star wins in Ascona
Holly Smith secured victory in the 4* 1.50m with Nike Van Het Singraven and Harry Charles also claimed a 1.50m win on Bandit in Ascona, Italy.
Holly jumped to the top in the 4* 1.50m two-phase with the promising eight-year-old Andiamo Semilly gelding Nike – owned by Liz Astall, Joanne Broadway & TJ Hall Ltd. Twenty-six competitors contended this class with Holly outpacing her rivals by 0.98 seconds.
“Nike’s been on great form the last couple of weeks, finishing third in the Avenches 4* Grand Prix the week before. I decided this week just to do the two 1.50m classes with him taking into consideration his age, I didn’t want to keep the pressure too high all the time and the jumps too big,” said Holly. “He was fourth in the opening 1.50m class just a little bit off the pace – which isn’t like me! When he was clear in the first part of the second 1.50m, I decided to take one or two chances now; he’s been consistently clear the past two weeks.
“I made the time up on the run to the double, very fast coming in, slightly on the angle – we know each other so well, he can read my mind and I can read his, he’s just a fantastic horse, very quick across the ground. I’m looking forward to what the future can bring.”
Holly also picked up two second places in the Seven and Eight-year-old 1.35/1.40m classes on the eight-year-old Sing Z (Copycat Z x Contact Van De Heffinck) and finished fourth in a competitive 15-horse decider for the 4* 1.55m Grand Prix on Fruselli two seconds behind the winner, Austria’s Katharina Rhomberg on Colestus Cambridge.
Harry Charles landed the Moet & Chandon 4* 1.50m with Bandit, adding another victory to his recent successes at Hickstead and Valkenswaard.
A total of 47 riders faced a 13-fence, 16-effort 1.50m track designed by Gerard Lachat with 11 answering every question to qualify for the jump-off. They were no match for Harry and the Obos Quality 004 x Cruisings Micky Finn 11-year-old Bandit as he smoothly executed the tight turns on the shortened track to take the win by 0.44 seconds. Holly was also clear to finish fourth on the talented Nike Van Het Singraven.
Jodie Hall-McAteer eased Kimosa Van Het Kritrahof into second place in the 4* 1.45m speed, the 16-year-old Eros Platiere daughter 0.94 seconds off the winning time.
James Shore claimed victory in the 2* 1.40m speed with the nine-year-old New York G & DB Z (Nadal Hero & DB x Inshallah De Muze), edging ahead of his nearest rival by 0.08 seconds.
Sandy McLean scores a winning double at Sentower Park
Sandy McLean outpaced all rivals to head the 3* 1.50m with seasoned campaigner Gino F at Sentower Park in Belgium.
A healthy entry of 74 came forward over course-designer Bernard Mathy’s 12-fence, 15-effort 1.50m track with 17 returning to contend the jump-off. Sandy put pedal to the metal on the equally eager 15-year-old Gino (Ultimo x Grannus) and they remained on a relentless pace to take the win with 1.63 seconds to spare. Germany’s Katrin Eckermann had to settle for second on Chao Lee with Millie Allen slotting Quickly D VH Ijzerenlindenhof.
Sandy was also in the winner’s enclosure on Corneliuss, the Cornetus x Levantos I 13-year-old topping the 88-strong 3* 1.40m two-phase by 1.76 seconds.
Chloe Aston eased Freaky Dancer Z into third in a 3* 1.45m two-phase with 63 contenders, the 10-year-old stallion (For Pleasure x Carthago Z) finishing 0.36 seconds behind the winner.
Olivia Sponer raced to the top of a 56-horse 1* 1.30m speed, the 17-year-old Crazy Girl (Corlensky G x Ars Vivendi) posting a 1.07 second win
Mark Edwards is top of the podium in Compiegne
Mark Edwards seized victory with Dillinger NE in Compiegne, France.
The 62 starters in the 2* 1.40m were reduced to 17 for the jump-off but they couldn’t catch Mark as he fired the Diarado 11-year-old Dillinger into the top spot with 0.66 seconds in hand.
Mark also gained a podium place in Friday’s feature class of the day. Seventy riders contended the 2* 1.45m speed with Mark a fraction behind the winner, slotting the home-bred nine-year-old Tinkers Touch (Tornesch x Tinkas Boy) into second spot 0.18 seconds off the pace.
Image: Spruce Meadows Media
