If anyone can judge what distinguishes a four-legged star, then definitely Ben Maher. The British Olympic gold medallist hopes to have found one in the OS Stallion, Corlander, whom he won the opening round of the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup with today.

Philipp Weishaupt and his Selle Français mare, Grace de la Claye (out of Utrillo van de Heffinck) put in a fast round in the 1.45 metre two-phase jumping competition that kicked off the Sparkassen-Youngsters-Cup: 39.29 seconds. Richard Vogel and his KWPN gelding, Levi Noesar (out of Zirocco Blue), were one hundredth of a second faster, 39.28 seconds. Anyone, who thought the time couldn’t be beaten, was taught otherwise, when the Olympic gold medallist, Ben Maher and his beautiful OS stallion, Corlander (out of Cornet Colbert) sped round the Soers. The clock stopped at 38.96 seconds. No one was able to top that. Vogel and Weishaupt finished in second and third place respectively.

Ben Maher wasn’t surprised. He has been riding Corlander since last November and took him to Florida with him in the spring to prepare him for the green season, where he already came second in a national 1.50 metre Grand Prix. Otherwise, Maher has only competed at international level with him once before. “He is a very talented, balanced horse. He doesn’t have to jump too much,” he explained. Maher has high hopes in the stallion. “I don’t just think because of today that he is right for Aachen, but he has a huge range with his scope and stride.” He added that he has people, who keep a look out for good horses for him and they scouted the Cornet Obolensky grandson for him from the Lewitz Stud, when he was still under the saddle of his former rider, Krzysztof Ludwiczak from Poland. “Hopefully, we have found the next star. I hope we can live up to that.” If he carries on like today…