Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue Set the Standard for Five-Star Victory at World Equestrian Center – Ocala

12 FEB 26 Ocala, FL

February 12, 2026 – Ocala, FL – As the first of 17 in the jump-off, Ben Maher (GBR) and Ginger-Blue, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, set the standard with an uncatchable time for victory in the $117,000 1.55m CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier presented by Ethel M Chocolates on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). The week culminates with the $300,000 1.60m CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala presented by MARS Equestrian on Saturday evening, February 14.

Fifty-nine entries competed over a first-round course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), and 18 found the way to a clear round. Seventeen combinations proceeded to the jump-off, but it was the trailblazer that held on for the win. Maher and Ginger-Blue set a winning time of 37.63 seconds.

Riding Epsilon de Brenil, Erynn Ballard (CAN) almost won two days in a row but finished two-tenths of a second off the mark for second place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Just off the pace for second place was Erynn Ballard (CAN) on Epsilon de Brenil, a 12-year-old Selle Français gelding by Ernest x Lord Z owned by Andrew Lopez, who stopped the timers in 37.82 seconds. With a gallop to the final vertical, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and My Clementine, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by O.B.O.S. Quality x Kashmir van Schuttershof owned by Rein Family LLC and Tara Dow-Rein, finished in 38.29 seconds for third place.

Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and My Clementine made a bid for the win but placed third. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz, owned by Sweetnam and Gizmo Partners LLC, finished fourth with a time of 39.13 seconds. With a faster time of 37.35 seconds but four jumping faults, Laura Kraut (USA) and Tres Bien Z, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, settled for fifth place.

After two wins at the Brussels CSIO5* show in August of 2025, Maher decided to let Ginger-Blue travel to Florida and rest for the remainder of the year. The rest period seems to have paid off, as Ginger-Blue returned to the show ring in January and has placed in the top three in every class in which she competed, racking up three wins in a row.

This class marked the third international victory in a row for Maher and Ginger-Blue. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

“We’ve had Ginger-Blue since she was seven years old, so we know each other very well,” said Maher of the 15-year-old KWPN mare by Plot Blue x Royal Bravour. “She has jumped five-star grands prix, won some big competitions earlier in her career, but in the last two years, we decided to very much pinpoint her in certain classes that she finds a little bit easier.

“You can see she’s such a trier,” he continued. “She gives everything. She’s very careful, and she really enjoys her job. The new plan was to give her a couple of months’ break, just because she’s a little bit older horse, and not for any real reason other than she deserved it.”

Maher noted that he has been working to improve his strategy in recent jump-offs. “I felt like I wasn’t taking enough chances – enough risk – in the latter part of last year, so I’ve been working on putting it into practice,” he revealed. “It’s starting to pay off, and the horses are trusting that.”

Bridgett McIntosh of MARS Equestrian and Jim Wolf of World Equestrian Center join Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue in the winning presentation. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

With Ginger-Blue’s natural speed and instinctive turning, Maher sped through the shortened course but added a stride going to the final careful vertical, “which ruined a couple of people’s day today,” said Maher. “That’s where I left the door open. It came close, but fortunately it stayed my way today.”

Having competed at the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala for the past two years, Maher decided to spend more time at WEC – Ocala in 2026 with two extra trips to compete.

“It’s an amazing facility,” he expressed. “This arena has an atmosphere in the way it’s been designed and built. It feels special to ride here, and I think also the horses feel special to compete here.”

FULL CLASS RESULTS

SHOW SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Competition at WEC – Ocala this week continues on Friday, February 13, at 9am with the $32,000 Wild Horse Refuge 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*, and at 1pm with the $62,500 1.50m Winning Round CSI5*-W. The $300,000 1.60m CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala presented by MARS Equestrian will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 14. General admission tickets and more information on the week’s events can be found HERE.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! 

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.