The British rider won the $200,000 class riding Point Break and also earned the Leading International Rider award.
Ben Maher
Great Britain’s Ben Maher was in winning form at Wellington International, taking WEF Challenge Cup 8 with Ginger-Blue.
The British rider won the first ‘Saturday Night Lights’ grand prix of 2024 riding Enjeu de Grisien; Tiffany Foster and Northern Light place 6th.
Canada-based Irish rider Daniel Coyle places third with Ariel Grange's Legacy at a show hailed as "the horse world's biggest Christmas party."
The German was astride a relatively new ride, Coolio 42, on an afternoon which saw a surprising elimination for Kevin Staut.
The Brit stole victory from reigning European champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland in the eight-horse jump-off in Italy.
Britannia rules day 1 as the competition starts heating up heading into show jumping's richest weekend of sport.
The British rider managed to oust the Germans from the top of the podium on home turf; Beth Underhill will ride with the Rome Gladiators.
The reigning Olympic champion rode Dallas Vegas Batilly to victory in a 14-horse jumpoff during “Saturday Night Lights” at WEF.
The 20-year-old Belgian Sport Horse has taken up permanent residence in Florida; he and Ben have been a formidable pair over the years.