After an injury sidelined him for several months at the beginning of the season, Ben Maher returned to the sport performing better than ever. Now at the end of 2023, the Brit ranks second on the Longines FEI World Rankings. With an extensive string of equine talent in his stable, could the Brit perhaps be on track to end Henrik’s dominance and reclaim the title of world number one, which he had previously held in 2013?

Depth in Equine Talent

No other rider in today’s topsport can equal the depth of Ben’s string of horses, as he is the only rider to currently have 6 horses in his care that have an Elo rating of over 700. Despite losing the ride on his Olympic partner, Explosion W, due to injury, Ben has built an extensive team of horses that have allowed him to climb up the rankings and return to the spotlight in even stronger form than before Ben’s own injury.

Faltic HB

Faltic HB has been Ben’s flagship horse for the past two years. While he had already been Ben’s partner for the Jumping World Championship in 2022, the pair clocked back in for championship duties at the European Championships in Milan last summer. Despite once again producing a superb championship, they landed just beside the podium in fourth place. 

Dallas Vegas Batilly

While Faltic prepared and recovered from the European Championships, Dallas Vegas Batilly didn’t miss her chance to step up to the plate. From helping Ben win the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels to ensure he would be in the right headspace to tackle the European Championships the following week, to claiming the World Cup victory in Verona, this ten-year-old mare has solidified her place, not only in Ben’s string, but also among the world’s best. 

Ginger-Blue

While this mare had mainly been competitive for Ben in the 150 classes throughout the year, she really stepped up her game last weekend. In front of the home crowd at the London ExCeL arena, she was just 0.08 second shy of winning the Grand Prix at the London International Horse Show.

Exit Remo

This was Ben’s horse of choice to represent the home nation at the Hickstead Nations Cup. A successful pick as they helped Team GB take the win on home soil for the first time since 2010.

Enjeu de Grisien

The youngest member of Ben’s upper circle only made her World Cup debut last month in Madrid and immediately delivered with a double clear and runner-up finish. A performance she would improve on at her second attempt. With the encouragement of a home crowd, the nine-year-old mare sped to victory in the home World Cup leg of London last weekend. A mare that is showing great potential at such a young age, paired with Ben's talent, will be one to keep an eye out for.

Point Break

Also only ten years of age, but already jumped clear in the LGCT Grand Prix of London. At their most recent outing, jumped double clear to finish fourth in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Lyon.

The String that Could End Henrik’s Reign

As Ben Maher is the only rider to dispose of 6 horses with Elo ratings over 700 and no other rider has more than 4, the Brit is at a serious advantage to collect more points and further climb up the ranking.
While the current world number one, Henrik von Eckermann has an exceptional partner in the record-breaking King Edward, there is no denying that with two horses short, Henrik will have less opportunities to gather points than Ben. 

Ben Maher might not be Henrik’s only threat, as an additional 6 riders have a strong four-headed team of horses sporting Elo ratings in the 700s, among them Kent Farrington (current world #3), Martin Fuchs (current world #5) and McLain Ward (current world #7), but also Harry Charles, Darragh Kenny and Christian Ahlmann have a strong team of equine partners to support them in the upcoming 2024 season.