The win in Saturday's CSI4* 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, went to Great Britain's Ben Maher and the 13-year-old Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour). 

Crossing the finish line in 64.19 seconds, the current world number two was the quickest of the starting field counting only 31 horse-and-rider combinations. Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Don Vito (Quaprice Bois Margot x Jus de Pomme) finished second with a time of 64.20.

“Ginger-Blue is a quite experienced horse now. She is very suited for this kind of competition and a naturally quite quick horse," Maher commented in a press release from Longines Tops International Arena. "Unfortunately, Lorenzo de Luca was +0.01. It can't get any closer than that, but it was just on the ride side for me today.” 

Maher went on to say that he is cautiously optimistic for tomorrow’s 4* Grand Prix. “Ginger-Blue is an amazing horse. She is a winner. But it is a different competition and a new day tomorrow. Our sport brings new surprises and new winners every day.”

Marcus Ehning (GER) Flower Girl (Hickstead x Catoki) took third after stopping the clock at 65.05, while Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Crack Balou (Balou du Reventon x Chacco-Blue) finished fourth in 65.51, followed by Gerben Morsink (NED) aboard Navarone Z (Nabab de Reve x Amor) in fifth in 65.84.