Ocala, United States – February 12, 2026 – 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 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier CSI 5*-W – 1.55m, presented by Ethel M Chocolates on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). The week culminates with the $300,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala CSI5*-W 1.60m, 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.
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 and Tara Dow-Rein, finished in 38.29 seconds for third place.
Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz, owned by Sweetnam and Gizmo Partners, 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 CSIO 5* 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.
“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.”
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.”
Final Results – $117,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier CSI 5*W – 1.55m, presented by Ethel M Chocolates
1) Ben Maher (GBR) & Ginger-Blue – 0 / 0 – 37.63
2) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Epsilon de Brenil – 0 / 0 – 37.82
3) Nina Mallevaey (FRA) & My Clementine – 0 / 0 – 38.29
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
