17th August 2009 | 11.03 am
“Since last writing, Robin Hood, Wonderboy, Quainton Quirifino and some of the younger horses have been competing at home and in Europe on both international duties and the Global Champions tour. I have been delighted with their progress and have had some good placings in some excellent classes including Hickstead, Dublin, Estoril and Cannes.
Whilst I have been away competing in Europe, I have had some maintenance work done to my indoor school. My Martin Collins surface has been down some 14 years now and following its recent make-over it is now jumping better than ever. Their surfaces are second to none and having such a great surface reduces the damage to my horses’ legs and feet as much as possible which is vitally important.
I am delighted to have heard last week that I am on the European team - Robin deserves his place having been one of the most consistent horses competing at present and I am thoroughly looking forward to competing at the Windsor venue. He is now at home resting and being lightly worked in the school and hacking out around the farm. Robin is very laid back most of the time, but can be unexpectedly sharp sometimes, so Daley and Terri and all the staff at home, keeping an eye on him!
Only 7 days to go and I cant wait…hope to see you all there!
Ben
Ben Jumps the Puissance Wall at Windsor 2009
After Robin Hood returned from
Las Vegas, he had a little holiday before his trips to Rome and St Gallen. In this time he worked very lightly and was very fit and well in himself. He also had a lot of time in the field enjoying the brief spell of warm weather we had along with having his teeth done, back looked at and wormed – all the usual stuff, so he was well prepared for the challenges ahead.
Unfortunately, I have not had such a holiday myself with approximately 15 other horses in the yard to ride and take to shows (though I did manage to squeeze in a haircut!) Some of the horses are new partnerships and some are just youngsters. We have been to a quite a few shows with these horses including Royal Windsor and have had some good minor placings, but it really is all about getting to know the new ones and giving the younger horses some experience.
Robin Hood, who is owned jointly by myself and Mr and Mrs Mike Phillips of the Quainton Stud, competed in the Meydan Nation Cup teams in Rome and St Gallen and I was delighted with him only lowering one pole in four rounds. The GB team is currently lying in 6th place overall at the moment. Robin is going to stay in Europe now along with Wonderboy and Twister X, who is owned by Julia Biddle to contest some of the competitions in the Global Champions Tour and all the horses are due back in the UK in about four weeks time. It’s been a tough few weeks for them but all amazing preparation for the Europeans and so far they are doing me proud.
On a personal front, mine and Kathleen’s wedding preparations are coming along nicely. The big day is planned for early September and just about all the arrangements are in place, thanks mostly to loads of hard work from Kathleen and her family!
That’s all for now, speak to you soon in a few weeks,
Ben Maher.
20th April 2009 | 6.16 pm
April has certainly been a busy month for me! It started at the Global Champions Tour in Italy where I took Wonderboy and Quanton Quirifino Z. Both performed pretty well with Quirifino getting some good placings and Wonderboy coming 13th in the Grand Prix at the end of a tough competition.
From Italy it was straight out to Belgium where I helped a client out with some training, before flying straight out to Vegas for the FEI World Cup Final. It was certainly an experience I can tell you! I stayed in the MGM Grand and was amazed at the surreal atmosphere out there. Robin Hood immediately settled well, coming 8th in the first competition and continuing excellent form to place us 7th overall, which I was delighted with. I decided not to take too many risks speed-wise as he’s still pretty inexperienced – but he coped with it all so well that I really couldn’t have asked for more. I have to say it was tremendously exciting to be out there competing. I’m not sure it’s my ideal holiday destination, although we did take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon which was brilliant!
Since Vegas I’ve had some time at home which has been great. When I got back, I immediately entered some of my new, young horses into a local newcomers class. From one extreme to another or what?!
Next, I’m off to Valencia, taking Wonderboy and Quirifino, before returning back home to The Royal Windsor Horse Show. It’ll be the first time I’ve jumped properly on home soil this year and I’m really looking forward to it. Let’s hope the weather is as good as it was last year! I have a new young horse, Twister, who was previously owned by Laura Renwick, so I’ll be bringing him along, as well as a couple of other youngsters since Wonderboy and Quirifino will be resting.
Then, it’ll be straight over to Rome for the Samsung Super League. Phew! Another busy month but all good preparation for the Europeans and I’ll keep you all updated on how I get on.
See you soon, Ben
