Ben Maher takes a podium place with the Shanghai Swans in the GCL Super Cup in Riyadh
Monday 25 November 2024
The stakes were high and the pressure intense as teams battled for supremacy over two formidable 1.60m courses to decide the Global Champions League Super Cup Final for €6.5 million at the Global Champions Playoffs in Riyadh, with Ben Maher in the mix.
Riding for the Shanghai Swans, Ben guided Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter’s Point Break to a foot-perfect clear to join teammates Max Kuhner (Elektric Blue P) and Daniel Deusser (Killer Queen VDM) on a zero score and stand top of the leaderboard in the Quarter Final, claiming a fence in hand over nearest rivals Rome Gladiators.
Thursday’s Semi-Final speed round 24 hours later, Ben and the Action-Breaker x Balou Du Rouet 10-year-old Point Break returning another fast, faultless round. Daniel and Killer Queen also posted a clean sheet while Christan Ahlmann made only one mistake on Mandato Van De Neerheide to put the team on a four-fault total. Nonetheless, the score was sufficient for the team to remain at the top of the leaderboard going into the Final.
Sunday’s concluding GCL Super Cup Final unfolded like a gripping drama as every jump, every turn and every stride carried the weight of personal glory and the fate of the team. There was no margin for error as The Shanghai Swans – the team that could possibly do a hat-trick – battled against Stockholm Hearts.
In round one, Ben on Point Break and Daniel with Killer Queen supplied clear rounds, matching their Stockholm counterparts. But Max and Elecktric Blue P hit two fences to put The Shanghai Swans on eight and Julien Epaillard stormed home clear with Donatello D’Auge to give the Stockholm Hearts an advantage.
As round two loomed, the atmosphere was electric and the 1.60m track demanded accuracy, speed and perfection. The crowd were on the edge of their seats the Shanghai Swans fought valiantly. The trio knew exactly what thy had to do to finish on the podium. As the consummate professional he is, Ben delivered in spades with another clear on Point Break – the first horse in the six-year GCL Super Cup history to jump a quadruple clear round – leaving all the rails up throughout the Super Cup campaign this week in Riyadh. Daniel followed suit with a vital clear aboard Killer Queen, but an agonising single rail fell for Max and Elektric Blue to put the team on a 12-fault total.
Two teams to go.Carrying four faults from round one, Riesenbeck International clocked up a further 12 in round two to drop down the line. The Shanghai Swans hung onto their lead, but it all hinged on the final team.
The crowd held their breath as Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga took a rail in the combinations and came home on four faults. Malin Baryard-Johnsson knew they had a fence in hand to win and powered H&M Indiana to a clear round. Knowing time could come into play, the ultra-cool, speedy Frenchman Julien Epaillard upped the ante. The tension hit its peak as the Stockholm Hearts battled down to the final fence, Julien delivering a flawless finish in the decisive moment to secure a dramatic victory on Donatello D’Auge; Stockholm Hearts stood top of the podium on four faults, two fences ahead of Shanghai Swans.
Ben spoke about how the GCL team concept of riding with different nations is so powerful: “It’s a big team effort. That’s what makes this competition so unique, the chance to be able to ride with these three guys from Germany and Austria on the team – it’s like a dream team, an incredible experience. I am so happy I can be part of the great result at the end of the season. It’s been an incredible team to work with this year.”
Ben also slotted Enjeu De Grisien into second place in Thursday’s 5* 1.50m. Twenty-six riders contended this speed class, Ben and Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter’s Toulon x Andiamo 10-year-old finishing runner-up only to Luxembourg’s power force and newly-crowned LGCT Super Grand Prix champion Victor Bettendorf on Cancun Torel Z by 1.33 seconds.
Image: Longines Global Champions League
