Ben Maher (GBR) and the Poden Farms owned Explosion W took a breath-taking win in front of a full capacity crowd at the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid.
Maher pulled off a hat-trick of wins this weekend, taking the GCL Madrid final for his team London Knights, the individual CSI5* speed class, before riding the 9 year old chestnut gelding to victory ahead of home hero Eduardo Álvarez Aznar (ESP) with Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) with H&M Harley vd Bisschop. Remarkably both Aznar and Philippaerts clocked the exact same time – to the millisecond – uniquely finishing in joint second place in the LGCT Grand Prix.
Ben Maher on Explosion W. Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Maher has earned a coveted ticket to the GC Play-Offs, where he will compete in the Longines Global Champions Super Grand Prix. The result also sees Maher rocket up the overall rankings, to sit on 103 points and just behind compatriot and long-time leader Scott Brash (GBR). With a current score of 131 overall, Brash is pulling away from the rest of the field, and putting distance between himself and rival Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), who is third on 100 points.
As the sun began its slow descent over the beautiful Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Santiago Varela Ullastres’ course was another clever challenge requiring three key ingredients – scopey jumping, careful precision and absolute control. Using the full expanse of the foot perfect grass arena, and built specifically for the undulating field, the flowing track was a true test for the world’s best, promising mouth-watering sport for the fourth leg of the Championship race.
The intimidating bright blue water jump drew gasps from the crowd, with horses leaping to make the distance, and a Volvo spread set against lengthening shadows required complete focus. The final line was a tall ask, with a Longines double set against the packed grandstand taking out a few of the challengers, and a full 1.60m oxer positioned over a water tray to finish. The time allowed was 84 seconds, with a couple riders falling foul with just one-time penalty including Alexandra Thornton (GBR) and Cornetto K who were one of the few who jumped clear.
The crowd erupted in celebration as home rider Paola Amilibia Puig (ESP) pulled out the first clear with Gaudi, the Spanish rider punching the air in delight before kissing her horse and feeding him a sugar lump in the center of the arena.
Paola Amilibia Puig on Gaudi. Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT
“It felt amazing,” the Spanish rider smiled after being asked of the sensation of jumping clear in front of her home crowd.
There was disappointment for former LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid winner Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) after 8 faults ruled him out of the running, and the local fans’ hopes were dashed after Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) clipped the final part of the Longines double with Charmeur. Similarly, former LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid Marcus Ehning (GER) and Pret a Tout collected four faults in exactly the same spot, meaning a podium would remain elusive for the German maestro.
Pedro Veniss (BRA) brought out his Olympic horse Quabri de L Isle, powering through to the second clear of the day and ensuring there would be a jump-off. “It’s a difficult course, but the level is so high here we can see there will be clear rounds coming,” predicted the Brazilian rider. And indeed his words would prove prophetic.
Edwina Tops-Alexander on California.Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and California rattled the back rail of the final oxer, but luck was on their side and they earned a place in the jump-off, with the two-time LGCT Champion keeping her 2018 title hopes alive. Fans would be treated to a face-off between show jumping heroes after Scott Brash (GBR) and Ursula pulled out another stunning clear, earning a place in the jump-off and rocketing the Championship race up a gear.
They would be joined by Pieter Devos (BEL) with Espoir, Marc Houtzager (NED) with Sterrehof’s Calimero, Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) with H&M Harley vd Bisschop, Danielle Goldstein (ISR) with Lizziemary, and Ben Maher (GBR) with Explosion W. Local fans had plenty to celebrate after Eduardo Álvarez Aznar (ESP) with Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot went clear, the home favourite pulling off a perfect round to book a place in the jump-off.
10 would return with Paola Amilibia Puig (ESP) and Guadi leading the way around the galloping course, featuring a flat-out race to the finish. But an early fence would rule them out of a podium place, but with a benchmark time of 49.13s. Pedro Veniss (BRA) and Quabri de L Isle put in a steady clear, using the length of stride to set the time to beat at 41.64s, however, knew he would have an intimidating field behind him.
The pressure was firmly on the shoulders of Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) with California and they set off at a galloping pace. The speedy mare flew around the grass arena, with Tops-Alexander daring her to the fences and the duo looked set to better Veniss’ time. But the crowd threw up their arms in despair as the final oxer fell, the pole splashing into the water tray.
Pieter Devos (BEL) and Espoir raised the temperature, jumping clear in 40.54s, just easing ahead of Veniss’ early time, delighted with his round. Marc Houtzager (NED) and Sterrehof’s Calimero opted for a steady clear, finishing in 43.29s and keeping them high up the order.
Pieter Devos on Espoir. Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Scott Brash (GBR) and Ursula knew what they had to do, with the British rider setting off at a gallop, watched on by owners Lord and Lady Kirkham and Lord and Lady Harris. The mare jumped her heart out for Brash, flying to the finish but not able to better Devos’ time, finishing just behind in 40.77s.
Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and H&M Harley vd Bisschop put in a strong effort, the dapple grey stallion powering around the arena. They took a flier to the last, stopping the clock in 39.79s and shooting to the top of the leaderboard.
The crowd erupted in applause as home hero Eduardo Álvarez Aznar (ESP) with Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot entered the arena. Placed on the podium here in 2016, the pair looked determined for a strong result, the Spanish rider having grown up in this very arena. Lightning fast around the corners, the duo galloped towards the tricky final fence, with fans holding their breath while watching the clock. Remarkably they finished in 39.79s – exactly the same time as Nicola Philippaerts to the millisecond.
So with the pair in the joint lead, only Ben Maher (GBR) and the 9-year-old Poden Farms owned Explosion W – the final pair to go – could change the order. Following the GCL Madrid final, Maher had said that Explosion was quick, but the pair put the pedal to the metal, the British Olympian managing the young horse beautifully. They blasted around the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd, and took out a stride to the last to stop the clock in 37.73s, almost two seconds faster than the rest of the field.
Lap of honor for the winner of the LGCT Gran Premio de Madrid’s Ben Maher (GBR) on Explosion W. Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Walking to his live interview, Maher was congratulated by his fellow riders, all praising his exceptional victory.
So Ben Maher (GBR) joined Scott Brash (GBR), Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) with a place in the Longines Global Champions Super Grand Prix, taking place at the GC Prague Play-Offs this December. The Tour now looks to Hamburg, Germany, where the Championship race continues with leg five of the global circuit.
Nicola Philippaerts, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Ben Maher. Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT