Virtually a 12 months to the day since his final worldwide showjumping victory, the excellent veteran stallion Tic Tac returned to the winner’s enclosure in Wellington, Florida, with British showjumper Ben Maher.
On the age of 20, Jane Clark’s Clinton stallion regarded higher than ever and loved a visit over the fences within the grass Derby discipline at Equestrian Village throughout week two of the Winter Equestrian Pageant (WEF) to prime Thursday’s (19 January) CSI3* 1.45m pace class with the Olympic champion within the saddle.
“Tic Tac is aware of all the pieces now, so it’s extra about simply preserving him match and having fun with all the pieces,” stated Ben, who retains the stallion in Florida all 12 months spherical.
“We don’t journey him to Europe. We’re very lucky with the employees and staff at residence taking care of him. He is aware of his job and he loves this enviornment.”
The pair scorched spherical Oscar Soberon’s monitor to beat their 22 rivals in a time of 67.07sec. Second-placed rider Luiz Francisco De Azevedo of Brazil completed over two seconds slower using Collin, whereas third place went to Max Wachman of Eire with Coolmore Showjumping’s Quintini. All three mixtures completed on the rostrum once more in Saturday’s 1.50m jump-off class, the place Ben and Tic Tac completed third behind the Brazilian and Irish riders.
Ben Maher: ‘We handle him’
Displaying his love for the venue, Tic Tac and Ben Maher had received the three-star grand prix on this identical week at WEF in 2022, in addition to in 2021. Ben has stated of his 2016 Olympic experience: “we’re very selective after we present him now due to his age” and Tic Tac was final seen on the CSI5* present in Toronto, Canada, in November.
“I’ve stated this earlier than, however I believe this enviornment is without doubt one of the nicest grass arenas on the earth,” stated the Hertfordshire rider, who is predicated in Florida for the following few months. “It’s actually old-school floor right here and I believe as an older horse, he likes the brighter jumps and loves the bottom.
“We are going to probably deliver him out another time on the grass, however we’re very restricted with what we do with him, and we handle him; he’s nonetheless having fun with it. He truthfully nonetheless appears like he desires to do nothing else.”
Ben went on to complete second within the $50,000 Palm Seaside Equine Clinic grand prix using Enjeu De Grisien, having received Thursday’s nationwide qualifier with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s nine-year-old Toulon gelding.
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Credit score: Lucy Merrell
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