Ben Maher scoops a win at Valkenswaard on Ginger-Blue as we round up this week’s International results
Monday 15 July 2024
Ben Maher secured victory in the 4* 1.50m in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, with the tiniest of margins on Ginger-Blue.
Following heavy rain the day before, blue skies and sunshine greeted the 31 riders in this Grand Prix qualifier as they faced the 12-fence 1.50m speed track designed by Germany’s Peter Schumacher. Ben made short work of the course, setting an early – and unbeatable – target from fourth draw on Jane Forbes Clark’s 13-year-old Plot Blue x Royal Bravour mare.
Challengers came and went but Ben remained steadfastly ahead. However, penultimate drawn Italian Lorenzo de Luca certainly gave him a run for his money on Ben’s former ride Don Vito, coming within 0.01 seconds to slip into second place.
“Ginger-Blue is quite experienced now, she’s naturally quick and very suited for this type of competition; she’s amazing and a winner,” said Ben. “Lorenzo was just one hundredth of a second out, it can’t get any closer than that, but it was on the right side for me today.”
Despite the heavy rain 24 hours earlier, the footing in the grass arena held up well.
“This grass arena is like no other; there are only two grass arenas that can hold up to that kind of weather and even the day before, we could still jump. Today, we were jumping like nothing had happened, this is why we come here – the facilities are great,” added Ben.
One-time leader Robert Murphy eventually had to settle for third in the 4* 1.45m with Jos Lansink Horses’ Catch-Me Van Berkenbroeck. Eighteen of the original 27 starters returned initial clears to access the jump-off, Robert setting the standard on the Cicero Z Van Paemel x Nonstop 10-year-old stallion. He was beaten by Germany’s Daniel Deusser on Otello De Guldenboom by 1.41 seconds with late runner, The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, slipping Darry Lou into second.
Matt Sampson scored a winning double. He topped the 37-strong 2* 1.40m two-phase on the eight-year-old Pretty Pi’Que De’Luxe with 1.72 seconds to spare. Matt went on to take two of the top three places in Sunday’s 2* 1.40m in a hard-fought 29-strong jump-off, winning by 0.10 seconds on the 14-year-old Fabrice DN (Gelha’s VDL Emilion x Baloubet Du Rouet) and taking third aboard Pretty Pi’Que.
Matt also picked up second in the Six and Seven-year-old Final with the six-year-old mare Abril 0.55 seconds off the pace in the 13-horse decider.
Amanda Derbyshire takes a win in The USA
Amanda Derbyshire claimed victory in the initial 2* 1.40m with Vogue TW in Tryon, The USA.
Thirty-three competitors came forward in this two-phase class with Amanda outpacing all rivals to win by 0.42 seconds on Vogue TW, a Vivant Van De Heffinck x Conthargos eight-year-old mare produced by Nicole Lockhead Anderson for Tom Williams in Britain.
Less than half a second denied Amanda a double, the 12-year-old Otto BH settling for second in the Welcome Stakes. The 41 starters were reduced to 12 for round two against the clock, Amanda finishing 0.40 seconds behind the winner, The USA’s Hallie Grimes on Karoline of Ballmore.
Lily Attwood and Olli Fletcher are in the money in Chantilly
Lily Attwood missed out on the podium by one in the 4* 1.45m in Chantilly, France, taking fourth place on Johnnie Walker.
Only nine from a start list of 64 reached the jump-off, Lily and the Harley VDL x Numero Uno 10-year-old jumping another clear to finish 1.22 seconds behind the pace.
Olli Fletcher – who will represent Great Britain at the Young Riders European Championships at Peelbergen, The Netherlands, later this week – claimed fourth in the 4* 1.40m riding Cajus 42. Thirty riders contended this speed class with Olli and the Comme Il Faut 5 10-year-old slipping into fourth almost six seconds off the winning time.
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