WELLINGTON, Fla--British Olympic Champion Ben Maher ended his 2025 season in Wellington, FL, with back-to-back victories on the grass derby field during the Wellington International Spring Series.

Ben Maher on Ginger Blue (Photo by Spotfot)One day after a speed victory with Exit Remo, Maher on Ginger-Blue won the $120,000 CSI3* Grand Prix on Sunday, April 13.

Maher was clean in 37.33 seconds to win in an 11-horse jump-off.

“She loves it on the grass over here,” said Maher, who has been battling through a fractured foot over the last several weeks. “She felt confident, but it’s always hard to know how much to do. I couldn't do anything more today. With the riders who were in the jump-off and Kent Farrington going last, it wasn't over until the last moment but fortunately it was enough for us today.”

Lacey Gilbertson on Loulou MPSZ was clean in 37.77 seconds to place second, and Canada’s Chris Pratt on Ideaal ES was third in 38.42 seconds.

 

“SHE NATURALLY has a lot of ground speed, but her stride is not the biggest so all the distances were moving,” said Maher of Ginger-Blue. Both will now take a break from the competition ring before heading to Europe. “She’s a very experienced horse and everything came up right for me today. It was a great end to the Wellington season for my team.”

“I have been breaking all the rules to compensate for my injured foot,"he said. "I’ve adjusted where the stirrup sits and the horses are helping me for sure with different weight and balance placement.”

Maher has been competing Ginger-Blue at Wellington International since the beginning of the mare’s 9-year-old year with support from the mare’s owner, Jane Forbes Clark, who was watching ringside on Sunday.

“I’ve been working with Jane for 14 years now and getting a win in Wellington is always a little extra special because we can do it in front of her owner and my family.”

To close the day, Mclain Ward won the National Grand Prix on La Serra.