Wellington, Florida, USA – February 16, 2025 – Great Britain’s Ben Maher (GBR) had been knocking on the door of a grand prix win since the start of the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season and finally came on Sunday of Week 6. The Olympic champion got his win on the grass derby field at Wellington International in the $140,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Barnwalkers, with Ginger-Blue, owned by Jane Forbes Clark.
“My horses have all been jumping great here this season,” Maher said of his consistent results that hadn’t quite produced a big win yet. “I think I’ve been clear in all of my grands prix but not quite getting the jump-off finished. I missed out in the five-star grand prix last week which was a frustrating rider error. I’m very happy to put it right this week with Ginger-Blue. She gave me everything today.”
The 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour) had only jumped twice in 2025 prior to WEF 6, and both outings produced clear and top results. As a result, Maher was confident she was the pick for the featured test of the week.
“She’s naturally an incredibly fast horse,” Maher continued. “She jumped great already on Thursday with an unlucky one down in the jump-off. The jump-offs have been really fast throughout WEF. My reaction time is getting a little quicker and she naturally covers the ground well. Some people took a stride out to the double which is against my rules a little so I knew I had to make time up elsewhere.”
Maher topped the list of seven total jump-off contenders over Catzy Cruz’s (MEX) course. In a winning time of 35.80 seconds.
He edged out Marilyn Little (USA) by five one-hundreths of a second to bump her to second place with La Contessa.
Cathleen Driscoll (USA) rounded out third place with Idalgo, owned by Donald Stewart.
“Ginger-Blue came to me when she was seven years old,” Maher continued about his partnership. “She’s grown up here at WEF. It tends to be quite heavy jumping here. They use bigger material which is more interesting for the crowd but she’s a very careful horse so it tends to back her up a lot. We pick and choose her classes here at WEF. We love the grass; it’s a fantastic facility and great atmosphere today. She’s a trier and that always gives any rider confidence.”
Ginger-Blue was prepared and cared for during the IDA Development Grand Prix CSI 3* by Ulises Flores, who was presented with a $500 cash prize as recipient of the Double H Farm Grooms Award.
The win was made even more special by guest appearances that are quite frequent at WEF. “I’m always trying to win; all my owners are here [in Wellington],” Maher remarked. “Jane Clark was here today. A win here is worth three somewhere else when they’re watching on livestreams. It was great to get that win for the whole team. It helps lift the spirits.”
Final Results – $140,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Barnwalkers
1) Ben Maher (GBR) & Ginger-Blue – 0 / 0 – 35.80
2) Marilyn Little (USA) & La Contessa – 0 / 0 – 35.85
3) Cathleen Driscoll (USA) & Idalgo – 0 / 0 – 36.93
Source: Press Release from Wellington International
Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein
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Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Great Britain, Wellington International
