Ben Maher, winner of the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ riding Dallas Vegas Batilly, is back to Jumping Verona as runner-up in the 2024 edition. This year, the British champion arrived in Italy with his wife, Sophie Maher. The couple are linked not only in their private lives, but also by a shared passion for horses and show jumping, which they have transformed into a true sporting partnership.
Ben needs no introduction: he has competed in five Olympic Games, winning three gold medals and two team medals with Great Britain at the London 2012 and Paris 2024 Games, as well as an individual medal at the Tokyo 2021 Games. Despite not coming from an equestrian family, he became a champion through discipline, dedication and passion, distinguishing himself through his meticulous approach to physical preparation and horse management.
Sophie, née Gracida, comes from a family with a long equestrian tradition. Her father, Rubén Gracida, was a renowned polo player who was inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame, and her mother, Amy Carr, is also envolved in show jumping. Sophie started out riding polo ponies before finally devoting herself to show jumping. In Verona, she will represent the USA in the CSI5*.
Meanwhile, the new generation of Mahers’ is growing: the couple has two children, Cooper, born in July 2022, and Quinn Amy, born in November 2024. Cooper has already made his debut last year at just 18 months old in the leadline class at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.
Will they be the champions of tomorrow?
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Maher dynasty.
