Maher knows every stride of his mare, and Ginger-Blue proved it once again.
Ben Maher (GBR), Olympic medallist and current world No. 4, claimed the Unex Group Speed Classic CSIO5* at the Agria Royal International Horse Show Hickstead 2026 in the International Arena. Maher crossed the finish in 62.82 seconds, 0.23 seconds ahead of Matt Sampson in a Table C class where faults count as time.
Ginger-Blue is a 15-year-old bay KWPN mare (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour), owned by Jane Forbes Clark, a veteran that Maher knows inside out: “She’s won so many classes for us, and I know her very well. We’re very strategic now with where we place her; she’s a little bit older, but she’s in probably the best form she’s ever been in this year.”
Matt Sampson (GBR), enjoying an outstanding week at Hickstead, finished second with Latte Macchiato, a 13-year-old bay ISH gelding (Pacino x Boherdeal Clover) owned by HMF Equestrian, in a time of 63.05 seconds. Richard Howley (IRL) completed the podium with Caprice d’Elle, a 14-year-old bay SF stallion (Arko III x Papillon Rouge) owned by ESM Equestrian, in 64.43 seconds.
Millie Allen (GBR) finished fourth with Quick Diamant HR, a 10-year-old bay BWP mare (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel) owned by Karel Cox Horses BV, in 65.66 seconds. Angelie Von Essen (SWE) rounded out the Top 5 with Happiness DK Z, a 14-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding (Hooch DK x Andiamo Z) owned by BXB Competition AB, in 66.51 seconds.
Latin & Pan American Presence
Luis Alejandro Plascencia (MEX) was the top Latin finisher in tenth place in 68.88 seconds with Enzo BJX, a 12-year-old bay SF gelding (Vigo Cece x Helios de la Cour II). Stephanie Macieira (BRA) was fifteenth in 70.13 seconds, Kyle Timm (CAN) twenty-seventh, Lucy Davis (USA) thirtieth, Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo (BRA) thirty-first, and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA), No. 5 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Latin Show Jumping Ranking, thirty-third.
Top 5 Results — Unex Group Speed Classic CSIO5* | Agria Royal International Horse Show — Hickstead 2026
| Pos. | Athlete | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Maher (GBR) 🇬🇧 | Ginger-Blue | 62.82 |
| 2 | Matt Sampson (GBR) 🇬🇧 | Latte Macchiato | 63.05 |
| 3 | Richard Howley (IRL) 🇮🇪 | Caprice d’Elle | 64.43 |
| 4 | Millie Allen (GBR) 🇬🇧 | Quick Diamant HR | 65.66 |
| 5 | Angelie Von Essen (SWE) 🇸🇪 | Happiness DK Z | 66.51 |
