One of the early favorites among the riders in both the individual show jumping and the team show jumping, Ben Maher will have to jump without his Olympic gold-winning horse Explosion W at the World Equestrian Championships.
A big break for Maher and Britain’s golden chances.
“We are incredibly disappointed to have to make the decision, but Explosion W is simply not in good enough shape to take on the demands of this championship. He is fine, but jumping championship courses for several days in a row takes a lot of stamina. He is far too special a horse for us to take that risk, so with his welfare at the fore, I thought this was the best thing to do,” writes the newspaper Equestrian sports which refers to a statement written by Ben Maher.
Maher, who won Olympic gold in team jumping with Great Britain in 2012, must instead rely on the horse Faltic HB to lead him to gold.
He will still be part of the British team with Harry Charles, Scott Brash and Joe Stockdale with John Whitaker as reserve.
The Swedish Olympic gold team from 2021 are big favorites for the WC gold in teams. The Swedish squad consists of: Peder Fredricson on All In, Malin Baryard Johnsson on Indiana, Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward and the reserves Jens Fredricson on Markan Cosmopolit and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson on Ermindo W.
The WC in equestrian sports in Herning, Denmark, begins on Saturday.
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