Text © World of Showjumping

During Sunday’s CSIO5* Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule, Ben Maher’s Olympic Champion Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) sustained a soft tissue injury, the British rider announced today.

Maher – start no. 26 in the class – pulled up when the 14-year-old gelding all of a sudden appeared lame after having cleared the five first fences of the course. Luckily, medical expertise came quickly to assist, and Explosion could be driven out of the ring in an equine ambulance. 

Today, Maher released the following update on his official Instagram page – writing: 

“Unfortunately, during the CSIO Grand Prix of La Baule, Explosion W sustained a soft tissue injury during the first round. He is now back at home in the UK and receiving the best veterinary care. He’s happy and full of character. 

I would like to thank everyone that was present, as well as the general public, for their support and kind heartfelt messages regarding Explosion. We will keep you updated along his recovery!”

Explosion W is one of the biggest stars of the sport and was in 2021 crowned Olympic Champion in Tokyo. With Maher in the saddle, the gelding also took individual silver and team bronze at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam, and won the 2021 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Geneva. Furthermore, the pair has recorded five-star Grand Prix victories in Doha, London, Madrid, New York, Prague, Rome and Valkenswaard throughout their long and successful partnership. After a break from competition following CHIO Aachen last year, Explosion returned to competition this spring – and came back with a bang when finishing second in the Rolex Grand Prix of Windsor in the middle of May. 

At World of Showjumping, our thoughts go out to Ben and his team as we wish Explosion a quick recovery.