The FEI Longines World Cup Series encompasses the largest of show-jumping leagues across the industry’s established events. Humans and equine athletes rush every year with precision, speed, and agility to triumph over their regions. Over the past week, it was London that stood to invite the Western European League’s finest. Thrill, anticipation, and excellence couldn’t have formed a better environment for the 8000 equestrian enthusiasts.

It was a battle of the best on the grounds of ExCel arena on the final day of the league’s 8th leg. Under Brazilian designer Guilherme Jorge’s course, the results boiled down to the last showcase. With the reigning individual Olympic champion clinching the win, here’s a look into the proceedings.

FEI Jumping World Cup: A race to the wire

From the 14th of December to the 19th, the ExCel arena presented the London equestrian community’s esteemed indoor event. However, on Sunday the International Horse Show bore an anticipation unlike any other. It was a fight between the 11 combinations only for Olympic champion, Ben Maher to swoop the arena with charm, speed, and excellence. “It’s never over until it’s over,“ FEI Global writes in their Instagram post summing up the evening. The 40-year-old joined in the contest as the last pair with his equine partner Enjeu de Grisien or Jazz to put up a rocketing score of 37.18 seconds.

The Olympian bested the 2012 Olympic team gold medalist, Scott Brash who embraced 2nd position by a mere margin of 0.62. The results on the CSI5* 13 fence court, pushed Maher to own the top spot in the Western European League table for the 14 series season. For the Olympic Champion with a glorious career, the win was nothing short of “very special.” 

The equestrian champion’s glistening career

Starting from the age of 4, Ben Maher has stood to receive training British rider Liz Edgar and Swiss show jumper Beat Mändli. He marked a marveling beginning to his career ahead winning a team gold at the 2004 European Championships. The feat was awarded with a permanent position on the British equestrian team treading ahead. In 2012, he became a part of the GB jumping team to secure the first Olympic gold in well over 60 years. The following year, he rose to the top of the board becoming the first British show jumper to reach the number one ranking in the world.

Also Read: “I Didn’t Expect”: Equestrian Olympian Unveils Insights Into Show Jumping World Cup Performance

His list of accolades also includes a glistening medal as an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) topped by individual gold at the Tokyo Olympics atop Explosion W – his horse of a lifetime. Ben has also secured LGCT champion title thrice and continues to walk the path of glory.

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