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Ben Maher (born January 30, 1983) is an English equestrian who competes in the sport of show jumping. Ben has competed successfully as a young rider and was repeatedly selected to represent Great Britain in the championship teams. In 1997 and 1998 he was a member of the gold medal winning team at the Pony European Championships and in 2004 he was a member of the gold winning Young Rider European Championship team. He also won a spectacular Puissance at HOYS in 2004 riding Eperlaan du Fouquet. Ben made his senior team debut riding Rolette at the 2008 Beijing Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong where he came 20th in the individual final. His demonstration of skill and calmness under pressure has been etched on the selectors’ minds ever since and he has remained one of Team GB’s strongest assets. This was proven at the recent European Championships at Windsor where he finished the highest placed Brit individually and helped Britain to overall 6th place in the team competition with budding superstar Robin Hood W.
FAMILY INFORMATION
- Profession Show Jumping Rider
- Marital status Married
- Spouse Name Kathleen Baker
- Spouse points of interest Fashion Model
- Father name Richard
- Profession Property Developer
- Mother name Lesley
- Profession Chartered Surveyor
MISCELLANEOUS PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Started competing at age 8
- Why riding? My mum used to hobby ride so I learned to ride too. Started riding age 7.
- 1st int'l competition European Pony Championship at Hartpury College, England. in 1999
- Current sponsor(s) Emma and Mike Phillips, Quainton Stud.
- Most memorable riding story The Olympic Games in Hong Kong in 2008 - the scale of the occasion was amazing and I was very happy with my performance.
- Hobbies Eating out in nice restaurants but I have very little time!
- Languages English
- Most looked up to person Ludger Beerbaum
- Why? He is a wonderful rider and very successful in the sport.
- Ambitions during career To do well at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final and hopefully at the European *Championships later in 2009 - I want to win a major title.
- Ambitions after career To train other riders.
- Major sporting awards The 2008 BSJA Personality of the Year Award
RECENT MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2009: Member Nations Cup Team: 2nd Wellington, FL (Robin Hood W)
- Member Meydans Nations Cup Team: =3rd Rome, St Gallen, Hickstead, =2nd Dublin, 6th Windsor (Robin Hood W)
- HOYS: 2nd Leading Show Jumper of the Year (Wonderboy III)
- CSI5* Spruce Meadows: 3rd Grand Prix (Robin Hood W)
- CSIO Calgary: 1st A4 (Akosie du Wonderland)
- CSI3* Assen: 1st 1.50m Table A (Wonderboy III) 2nd 1.40m Speed (Lets Fly 6)
- Las Vegas: 7th World Cup (Robin Hood W)
- CSI3* Hamburg: 3rd Speed Derby (Akosie du Wonderland)
- CSI5* Cannes Global Champions Tour: 3rd Grand Prix (Robin Hood W)
- 2008: Beijing Olympic Games Team Member (Rolette)
- CSI3* Nantes FRA: 1st A4 (Rolette)
- CSIO5* Rotterdam: 4th Grand Prix (Rolette)
- Member Super League Nations Cup Team: St Gallen: Rotterdam (Rolette)
- Member Champion Nations Cup Team: Calgary (Robin Hood W)
