Weekend Recap: Maher and Kühner Take Top Honours
A Nations Cup that went to a jump-off, a Grand Prix settled by fractions of a second, and a masterclass in Paris made for a weekend to remember.
Weekend at a glance
Ben Maher and Point Break came into Rotterdam as the data favourite and left as Grand Prix winners. Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue produced the fastest of four double clears in Paris to win the LGCT Grand Prix. And Great Britain collected the League of Nations trophy at the Rotterdam Arena on Friday before Maher sealed a remarkable week for the team.
CSIO5* | Grand Prix of Rotterdam, 1.60m
Maher and Point Break best of Rotterdam
Eleven combinations returned for the Rotterdam jump-off on Sunday afternoon, and seven of them came home clean. Ben Maher and Point Break clocked 42.98 seconds to take the win, with Luke Dee and Gangster WW finishing just 0.16 seconds behind in second place. Willem Greve and Grandorado TN N.O.P. were third in 43.97, with Martin Fuchs and Fortjump du Beaumenil fourth just 0.07 seconds further back.
It is the first 5* 1.60m Grand Prix win together for Maher and Point Break, and their 14th podium at the 5* 1.60m level. Point Break carries an Elo of 790.
| Rank | Rider | Horse | Nation | R1 | JO Faults | JO Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Maher | Point Break | GBR | 0 | 0 | 42.98 |
| 2 | Luke Dee | Gangster WW | NZL | 0 | 0 | 43.14 |
| 3 | Willem Greve | Grandorado TN N.O.P. | NED | 0 | 0 | 43.97 |
| 4 | Martin Fuchs | Fortjump du Beaumenil | SUI | 0 | 0 | 44.04 |
| 5 | Richard Vogel | Cloudio | GER | 0 | 0 | 44.20 |
CSIO5* | Longines League of Nations Rotterdam, 1.60m
Great Britain win the Longines League of Nations
Great Britain won the Longines League of Nations at Rotterdam on Friday. Chef d’équipe Di Lampard fielded Ben Maher on Catelly, Sienna Charles on Chawton, Harry Charles on LT Holst Freda, and Jessica Mendoza on Summerhouse. It went to a jump-off to separate the top three, with Great Britain, the United States, and Switzerland all finishing level on 8 faults across two rounds. Great Britain came out on top, with Harry Charles delivering the decisive performance, jumping triple clear across both rounds and the jump-off to anchor the British effort throughout the competition. Marilyn Little was equally important for the United States, also producing a triple-clear performance across all three phases for chef d’équipe Robert Ridland’s team.
| Rank | Nation | R1 | R2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Britain | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | United States | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| 4 | Italy | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| 6 | Ireland | 4 | 20 | 24 |
| 7 | Brazil | 12 | 17 | 29 |
| 8 | Belgium | 4 | 29 | 33 |
| 9 | Germany | 12 | — | 12* |
| 10 | France | 20 | — | 20* |
CSI5* | LGCT Grand Prix of Paris, 1.60m
Kühner fastest of four in Paris
The LGCT Grand Prix of Paris on Saturday evening sent six combinations into the jump-off, and four returned clear. Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue were the quickest, crossing in 38.36 seconds to finish 1.53 seconds clear of Denis Lynch and Cordial in second place (39.89). Olivier Perreau and GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly were third in 39.99, with Christian Ahlmann and Untouched LB fourth in 40.29. It is the second 5* 1.60m Grand Prix win together for Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue, and their 15th podium at the level. The horse carries an Elo of 751.
| Rank | Rider | Horse | Nation | R1 | JO Faults | JO Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Kühner | EIC Up Too Jacco Blue | AUT | 0 | 0 | 38.36 |
| 2 | Denis Lynch | Cordial | IRL | 0 | 0 | 39.89 |
| 3 | Olivier Perreau | GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly | FRA | 0 | 0 | 39.99 |
| 4 | Christian Ahlmann | Untouched LB | GER | 0 | 0 | 40.29 |
| 5 | Lillie Keenan | Fasther | USA | 0 | 4 | 39.91 |
| 6 | Charlotte Leoni | Cyclone l’Epivent | FRA | 0 | 4 | 45.47 |