Ben Maher

{{Short description|British equestrian (born 1983)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Use British English|date=August 2012}} {{BLP sources|date=August 2012}} {{Infobox equestrian | name = Ben Maher MBE | image = ben maher 2012.jpg | caption = Maher in 2012 | fullname = Benjamin Richard Maher | nationality = British | discipline = Show jumping | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|1|30|df=y}} | birth_place = Enfield, Greater London, England | height = 6 ft 0 in | weight = 150 lb | show-medals = yes | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Equestrian }} {{MedalCountry | {{GBR2}} }} {{MedalCompetition | Olympic Games }} center|80px {{MedalGold | 2012 London | Team jumping }} {{MedalGold | 2020 Tokyo | Individual jumping }} {{MedalGold | 2024 Paris | Team jumping}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{MedalBronze|2022 Herning|Team jumping}} {{MedalCompetition | European Championships }} {{MedalGold | 2013 Herning | Team Jumping }} {{MedalSilver | 2013 Herning | Individual Jumping }} {{MedalSilver | 2019 Rotterdam | Individual Jumping }} {{MedalSilver | 2025 A Coruna | Team Jumping }} {{MedalBronze | 2011 Madrid | Team Jumping }} {{MedalBronze | 2019 Rotterdam | Team Jumping }} }}

'''Benjamin Richard Maher''' MBE (born 30 January 1983, in Enfield<ref>GRO reference: March 1983, Vol. 12, Page 0878</ref>) is a British show jumper. He represented Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 European Championships in Windsor, 2012 London Olympics, 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. He won the team jumping gold at the London Olympics with Team GB, their first team jumping gold medal for 60 years, an individual gold for Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and team jumping gold again at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Showjumper Ben Maher hopes medals lead to equestrian boost|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/19208116|work=BBC Sport|date=2012-08-10|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en-GB}}</ref> That win tied him with three-day eventer Richard Meade and dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin as the most successful British Olympic equestrians in gold medals won.<ref name="Grdn2024">{{cite news |title=Harry Charles revels in equestrian team gold after swapping fairways for saddle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/02/great-britain-gold-equestrian-team-jumping-paris-2024-olympic-games |access-date=2 August 2024 |agency=PA Media |work=The Guardian |date=2 August 2024}}</ref>

He also won bronze at the 2011 Europeans Championships in Madrid, Spain. He has won many international Grand Prix, including the Olympia Grand Prix, the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead and an FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix at Wellington with various rides.

Maher was selected as part of the 2016 British Olympic Show Jumping Team with Tic Tac.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/team/olympic-paralympic-disciplines/showjumping/ |title=Showjumping team |website=www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk |access-date=2016-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501141804/https://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/team/olympic-paralympic-disciplines/showjumping/ |archive-date=1 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Maher began riding at the age of eight. He was educated at Saffron Walden County High School, and after finishing school, he trained with Liz Edgar before travelling to Switzerland to further his education with Beat Mandli.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.globalchampionstour.com/profiles/riders/11/ben-maher/ |title=Ben Maher – LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR |website=www.globalchampionstour.com |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

He had success as a young rider, winning Team Gold with the British Young Riders Team at the European Championships in 2004. He is now a regular member for the British team and has been ranked as high as 2nd on the Longines World Rankings.

==International Championship results== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! colspan="12" align="center" | '''Results''' |- ! Year ! Event ! Horse ! Placing !Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2004 || rowspan="2" | European Young Rider Championships || rowspan="2" |Alfredo |{{Gold01}} |Team |- |30th |Individual |- | rowspan="2" | 2008 || rowspan="2" | Olympic Games || rowspan="2" |Rolette |5th |Team |- |19th |Individual |- |2009 |World Cup Final |Robin Hood W |7th | |- | rowspan="2" |2009 | rowspan="2" |European Championships | rowspan="2" |Robin Hood W |6th |Team |- |15th |Individual |- | rowspan="2" | 2011 || rowspan="2" |European Championships | rowspan="2" | Triple X III||{{Bronze03}} |Team |- |12th |Individual |- | rowspan="2" |2012 | rowspan="2" |Olympic Games | rowspan="2" |Triple X III |{{Gold01}} |Team |- |9th |Individual |- | rowspan="2" |2013 | rowspan="2" |European Championships | rowspan="2" |Cella |{{Gold01}} |Team |- |{{Silver02}} |Individual |- | rowspan="2" |2015 | rowspan="2" |European Championships | rowspan="2" |Diva II |4th |Team |- |23rd |Individual |- | rowspan="2" |2016 | rowspan="2" |Olympic Games | rowspan="2" |Tic Tac |12th |Team |- |25th |Individual |- | rowspan="3" |2019 | rowspan="2" |European Championships | rowspan="2" |Explosion W |{{Bronze03}} |Team |- |{{Silver02}} |Individual |- |Longines Global Champions Tour |Explosion W | | |- | rowspan="2" |2021 | rowspan="2" |Olympic Games | rowspan="2" |Explosion W | |Team |- |{{Gold01}} |Individual |- | colspan="12" align="center" | EL = Eliminated; RET = Retired; WD = Withdrew |}

==Career==

In 2005, CSIO5* Hickstead, Great Britain: Maher won the Hickstead Derby

In 2008, Ben competed at the Olympic Games with Rolette.

In 2010, CSI5*-W s'-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands: On 26 March, Maher and Wonderboy III took the top spot in the feature class of the opening day. This was the 1.50m Rabobank Prijs.

CSI5*-W London Olympia, Great Britain: Ben and Noctambule Courcelle won the Puissance.<ref>Info from BBC red button live transmission.</ref>

In 2011, CSI5*-W Basel, Switzerland: Oscar took 4th prize in a speed-class.

CSI5*-W Zurich, Switzerland: Maher and Robin Hood W came 2nd in the Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier.

CSI3* Lummen, Belgium: Tripple X III came 2nd.

CES5* European Championships, Madrid, Spain: The British team of Nick Skelton (Carlo) (1.04/0/0); Guy Williams (Titus) (7.01)/ (12)/0; Ben Maher (Tripple X III) (2.76/4/4); and John Whitaker (Peppermill) (5.66/4/8) took Team Bronze. Ben and ''Tripple X III'' also took 12th position individually.

CSI5*-W Olympia Horse Show, London, UK: Ben and his home-bred Tripple X III came 1st in the Rolex FEI World Cup.

In 2012, CSI5*-W Basel, Switzerland: Tripple X III won the feature 1m55 class on Friday night.

Won gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics for Great Britain in the Team showjumping.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jumping Team results – Equestrian – London 2012 Olympics |url=http://www.olympic.org/olympic-results/london-2012/equestrian/jumping-team-x |website=www.olympic.org |access-date=2015-05-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016033010/http://www.olympic.org/olympic-results/london-2012/equestrian/jumping-team-x |archive-date=16 October 2014}}</ref> thumb|Ben Maher and Tripple X, Global Champions Tour of Cannes (June 2012)thumb|Maher and Cella tie to win the Global Champions Tour Sunday Grand Prix in 2015

Maher was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60367 |date=29 December 2012 |page=25 |supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NY13 - London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/80169/NY2013-honours-London-2012.pdf|website=www.gov.uk|access-date=2026-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016011949/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/80169/NY2013-honours-London-2012.pdf|archive-date=2013-10-16}}</ref>

In 2013, won team gold and individual silver medals at the European Championships, riding Cella.

Won Olympia London International Horse Show Grand Prix riding Tripple X.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ben Maher wins Olympia grand prix|url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/ben-maher-wins-olympia-grand-prix-419233|website=Horse & Hound|date=2013-12-23|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en}}</ref>

Won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London at Olympic Park with his grey mare Cella.

In 2014, won the $125,000 Grand Prix CSI3* at WEF with Cella.

Won WEF World Cup Qualifier on Cella<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/10857/2014/1/26/ben_maher_and_cella_master_125000.aspx |title=Ben Maher and Cella Master $125,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI 3* |language=en-US |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

Won the €130,000 Grand Prix in Guangzhou, China with Vainquer<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/news/ben-maher-mbe-takes-the-top-spot-in-the-csi-3-130000-grand-prix-in-guangzhou-china |title=Ben Maher MBE takes the top spot in the CSI 3* €130,000 Grand Prix in Guangzhou, China. - The Official Website of British Showjumping |website=www.britishshowjumping.co.uk |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

Won the Olympia London International Horse Show Grand Prix on Diva II.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/equestrian/30585845 |title=Great Britain's Ben Maher defends London Olympia title |work=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2014 |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

In 2015, won World Cup CSI5* at WEF on Diva II<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pbiec.coth.com/article/ben-maher-and-diva-ii-top-372000-fei-world-cup-grand-prix-csi-w-5-presented-by-douglas-elliman-real-estate |title=Ben Maher and Diva II Top $372,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 5* Presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate |website=pbiec.coth.com |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

Won Rotterdam Nations Cup on Diva II, with team members Joe Clee/Utamaro D'Ecaussines, Jessica Mendoza/Spirit T, Michael Whitaker/Cassionato<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://inside.fei.org/news/british-make-it-furusiyya-hat-trick-rotterdam |title=British make it a Furusiyya hat-trick in Rotterdam |date=2015-06-19 |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

Tied for first with Karim Elzoghby/Amelia at Global Champions Tour Paris Grand Prix<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldofshowjumping.com/LGCT-events/It-s-a-tie-for-Karim-Elzoghby-and-Ben-Maher-in-the-the-Prix-de-la-Ville-de-Paris.html |title=Split win for Karim Elzoghby and Ben Maher in the Prix de la Ville de Paris {{!}} World of Showjumping|last=Showjumping|first=www.worldofshowjumping.com, World of|website=www.worldofshowjumping.com|access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

In 2016, won the $500,000 Rolex CSI5* at WEF with Sarena<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.noellefloyd.com/ben-maher-sarena-win-500000-rolex-csi5-grand-prix-at-wef/ |title=Ben Maher & Sarena Win $500,000 Rolex CSI5* Grand Prix at WEF |website=www.noellefloyd.com |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

Won the Beijing World Cup Qualifier on Wavanta<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurosport.com/equestrian/ben-maher-enjoys-longines-fei-world-cup-jumping-china-league-success-in-beijing_sto5557523/story.shtml |title=Ben Maher enjoys Longines FEI World Cup Jumping China League success in Beijing |date=2016-05-02 |access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref>

Won the Rome Nations Cup with Tic Tac and teammates Jessica Mendoza/Spirit T, Michael Whitaker/Cassionato, and John Whitaker/Ornellaia

He won two consecutive Longines Global Champions wins in 2018 and 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Longines Global Champions Tour|url=https://www.gcglobalchampions.com/en-us/lgct|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.gcglobalchampions.com}}</ref>

Won the Individual Showjumping Gold Medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, riding Explosion W.

== Owners == {{unreferenced section|date=May 2025}} Ben Maher has formally ridden horses under several owners, most notably Jane Forbes Clark and Poden Farms, whom he used to also train the owner, Emily Moffitt.

He has been riding for American owners Charlotte Rossetter & Pamela Wright since late 2019. Their partnership began when they purchased shares in his Olympic Gold Medal partner, Explosion w, and Ben since gone on to ride exclusively for them with new horses.

Ben is currently ranked Number 2 in the World, according to the FEI Jumping Rankings.

He bases in Wellington, Florida each year from late December until late March, and Europe throughout the summer.

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{FEI}} * {{Olympics.com|ben-maher}} * {{Team GB}} * {{Olympedia}} * {{InterSportStats|3000559986}} * {{Instagram}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maher, Ben}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:British male equestrians Category:British show jumping riders Category:Elsenham Category:English male equestrians Category:English Olympic competitors Category:Olympic equestrians for Great Britain Category:Olympic gold medallists for Great Britain Category:Olympic medalists in equestrian Category:Equestrians at the 2008 Summer Olympics Category:Equestrians at the 2012 Summer Olympics Category:Equestrians at the 2016 Summer Olympics Category:Equestrians at the 2020 Summer Olympics Category:Equestrians at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire Category:People from Enfield, London Category:Sportspeople from the London Borough of Enfield Category:People from Uttlesford (district) Category:21st-century English sportsmen