Ben Maher Is in an Empire State of Thoughts

The concrete jungle is the place Ben Maher’s (GBR) goals are made from this weekend.

The British import received all of the issues this Saturday on the Longines International Champions Tour (GCT) & League (GCL) New York on Governors Island.

Let’s overview his phenomenal two days, with a bit assist from Alicia Keys.

There’s nothin’ Ben can’t do

On Friday, Maher and Explosion topped Spherical I of the 1.50/1.55m GCL Crew Competitors with a blistering pace spherical, crossing the timers in 64.49 seconds.

For context, runners up Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Ladriano Z have been greater than half a second off their time (65.19), whereas third place finishers Francois Mathy Jr (BEL) and Uno de la Roque trailed by greater than FOUR FULL SECONDS in 68.83.

Now you’re in New York

Maher’s podium topping efficiency along with teammate Martin Fuchs (SUI) fourth place end on Friday put the London Knights within the lead for the GCL New York.

In Saturday’s GCL Spherical II 1.55m class, the heroic pair sealed victory with two extra faultless rounds to take each the win in New York and the 2019 Championship title. For the second yr in a row.

“Coming into this occasion there was quite a lot of strain so we mentioned we’d carry our two finest horses, we knew needed to win [to have a chance at the title] so it’s what we got here for,” mentioned Maher. 

Fuchs agreed: “It was an enormous aim for us—it wasn’t as straightforward as final yr, however this yr was a really, very thrilling final present.”

[Editorial aside: Fuchs just used easy and GCL in the same sentence. Cute.]

©GCL / Stefano Grasso

These streets will make you’re feeling model new

Going into Saturday’s GCT Grand Prix of New York, Maher was in a lifeless warmth with Pieter Devos (BEL) on the 2019 particular person leaderboard, with only a single level separating them (277 and 278, respectively). Once more, the Brit introduced out his high gun, Explosion, for the duty.

What adopted was an epic battle to the tip.

Each riders certified for the seven horse bounce off within the 300,000 Euro LGCT Grand Prix. Devos, third to return for the quick observe, set out pedal to the medal, however an unlucky run out within the double with Claire Z left the door broad open.

Maher and Explosion blew by way of it with one more double clear, stopping the clock in 34.08 seconds. The Olympic gold medalist jumped to 301 factors on the person rating, whereas Devos slipped into second with 283 factors.

“I really feel unhealthy for [Fuchs],” mentioned Maher. ‘He gave an ideal struggle. He’s actually pushed us all the best way to the tip.”

Explosion, it ought to famous, has solely incurred two rails in his previous 16 worldwide performances—all 5* or Championship courses. He’ll be the horse to beat on the Prague Closing.

Large lights will encourage you

With only one mixture nonetheless to return within the Grand Prix, Maher’s London Knight’s teammates Fuchs and The Sinner have been all that stood between him and clear sweep of Saturday’s schedule. The pair gave chase with a double clear however fell in need of Maher and Explosion’s time, crossing the timers in 34.95 seconds. It was adequate for third.

Marcus Ehning (GER) and Cornado NRW took second within the Grand Prix of New York with a double clear in 34.65 seconds and booked their ticket to the Prague Closing as the highest ending rider not but certified.

Let’s hear it for Ben Maher, Ben Maher, Ben Maher!

“I knew it was going to be a tricky weekend this weekend. The dream was to win the staff and the person, clearly. This doesn’t occur fairly often,” mentioned Maher. “So what a horse. He’s unimaginable and I’m very fortunate to journey him.”

What he meant to say, we now have to imagine, is that it doesn’t occur fairly often to different individuals. For Maher, it’s his second yr in a row taking each the staff and particular person GC titles. He’s received an astounding 1,021,464 Euro in prize cash in the course of the 2019 GCT/L season, which is 10okay lower than he received final season.

Maher is at present ranked fifth on the planet. Proper this minute although, he’s obtained to be feeling like #1.
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