Jumping World Cup: Darragh Kenny beats Ben Maher to be crowned champion in final jump-off
Olympic medalist Ben Maher and fellow Briton Robert Whittaker were beaten by Ireland’s Dara Kenny in the play-offs for the FEI Jumping World Cup in London.
Winning driver Kenny (Eddy Blue) clocked a time of 34.76 seconds, while Maher and Point Break finished second in 35.15 seconds due to a slight hesitation that put them half a second behind in the race.
Whittaker and Vimento broke the opening fence and finished third in 37.89.
“(Eddie Blue) was unbelievable on the start. He was fantastic,” Kenny told BBC Sport. “He’s a really cool horse.”
Maher, 41, who will win team jumping gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, said that although he was “disappointed” not to win, he was “very proud” of Point Break’s performance.
“He gave me a little money at the top and it took me out of my rhythm, and at this level it’s so small,” said Maher, who also won an individual gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Briton Tim Gredley also made the final play-off and finished fourth at the Empire HBF.
