Release date: 14/08/2011 |    

Ben Maher (Great Britain) wins the Derby of Valkenswaard with Utopia

The horses needed to be in top shape to compete in the Derby of Valkenswaard as they were on course for well over a minute It was easy to make faults as the fences were high, it was a long course and there were some tricky natural obstacles to overcome.

The Bank had four elements, before dropping down to approach a choice of planks left or right, there was a double over a natural hedge, fence over a stone wall and a devil’s dyke arrangement all providing plenty for the horses to conquer.

Heavy overnight rain presented course designers and organizers a very soaked arena.  It certainly looked as if horses were going to have to present a swimming certificate but the day fined up and the ground drained sufficiently. The course designer and groundsmen positioned the course well for the 14 actual starters of the 19 nominated.

Dutch rider Wout Jan van der Schans set the standing order at a clear round in a time of 116.91.  It wasn’t clear until the class transpired that this was a very good effort that saw them eventually second place.

The British are specialists at this type of competition as further proved by Ben Maher who took out the class with Utopia, clear in a time of 115.62.  This 15 year stallion by Lord Z, owned by Mrs Gredley, has only been with Ben for 3 weeks and at their second show together.  “He was backing away from all of the jumps but he is very careful., “ commented Ben after the class. “He got tired towards the end of the course. I didn’t think that I would be fast enough but Eric who was towards the end had a fence down and that is how the classes ended.”

It was a surefooted performance by Dutch rider Eric van der Vleuten with VDL Groep Cannelina and the crowd couldn’t hide their disappointment as the rail rolled but one from home. “It was really bad luck,” lamented Eric. “She hardly touched the fence...it was a pity.  If I had my time again to ride the track I would do it exactly the same as everything else was very good.” Eric was the fastest 4 fault round at 113.53 seconds.

Photo credit: Stefano Grasso/GCT