Sun, sea and a brilliant win for Ginger-Blue
Miami Beach provides a spectacular backdrop for the latest leg of the LGCT
DESPITE torrential rain stopping play for a time, the spectacular Miami Beach provided the backdrop for a thrilling weekend of showjumping, with Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue landing the opening five-star class, the 1.45m €25,500 (£21,150) two-phase.
Drawn towards the end of the 54-starter field, the Hertfordshire rider – who is currently ranked number four in the world – raced to victory on Jane Clark’s 11-yearold Plot Blue mare, finishing half a second quicker than Dutch rider Johnny Pals on Zarkava Hero Z.
Ben then took the reins on Oakingham Stud’s Faltic HB to help his new Global Champions League team, Paris Panthers, win the opening round of the competition alongside his team-mate Darragh Kenny on Chic Chic.
“It’s been a great start this week,” said Ben. “I have a great horse in Faltic. We have a really strong team this year with the Paris Panthers, so I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”
Other Irish riders were also in flying form in Florida, with Conor Swail landing Friday’s 1.45m speed class with Errol, a 12-year-old son of Luidam, who was bred in Great Britain by Leah Popely. Conor’s countryman, Shane Sweetnam on Alejandro, then took the runner-up spot in Saturday’s grand prix, won by Germany’s Katrin Eckermann riding the nine-year-old Cala Mandia. The pair triumphed at a fierce pace in their first five-star grand prix together.
“Well, I have no words, it has been a long journey,” said Katrin, who punched the air in delight
“I have a great horse in Faltic”
BEN MAHER
after trouncing her five jump-off rivals, which included Ben Maher and Faltic HB, who finished sixth after hitting the back rail of an oxer.
“I have had her since she was six and it’s her first LGCT [Longines Global Champions Tour]. I’m overwhelmed.”
In the two-star classes, USbased British rider Amanda Derbyshire collected a win in the 1.40m two-phase riding the British-bred Wonder If, a 10-yearold mare by Cevin Z.