Find out all the latest news from this week’s international showjumping action from Valkenswaard, Saint-Tropez, Montefalco and Fontainebleau
Tops International Arena, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands
BEN MAHER and Ginger-Blue (pictured) stole the limelight in the year’s opening event at Tops International Arena, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, winning the CSI4* grand prix in assured style.
The Hertfordshire rider seized the advantage in an 11-strong jump-off, crossing the finish with Jane Clark’s 10-year-old KWPN mare in 40.42sec to beat long-time Swiss leader Bryan Balsiger (AK’s Courage) by 0.08sec. Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten’s mare Beauville Z made a welcome return to the sport with a third-place finish, with Cian O’Connor fourth for Ireland on Kilkenny. Less than half a second separated the top four combinations in a nail-biting finale.
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You can also read this report in the 13 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine.
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Credit: TREVOR MEEKS
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Credit: Nico Morgan/1st Class Images
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