Point Break finds his focus for Ben Maher

Ben Maher and Point Break won the $200,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix to close out week eight of the Winter Equestrian Festival and give the 10-year old Swedish Warmblood stallion a new career best.

Rewards for Point Break who found his focus in the Grand Prix. Photo: Sarah Eakin.

“This is probably the biggest Grand Prix he’s won,” Ben said after the pair led the five-strong jump off in a time of 41.40. USA’s Coco Fath and Aventador 5 took runners up after achieving a cautious clear in 48.29 seconds.

Coco Fath and Aventador 5 going for a steady clear in the jump off to finish second. Photo: Sarah Eakin.

It has not always been calm waters with Point Break, who took time to mature into himself. “We had him when he was six years old and in the seven-year old jumpers here and it wasn’t that long ago that he was spooking at every golf cart,” said Ben. “ And I was in the back arenas, and switching arenas to get the ground work in but he was always a very talented horse and he’s progressed very nicely.”

Forty-nine combinations took to the International Ring to end Nations Cup week. The five clears were testament to the challenges of the course that caused more than a couple of rider errors. Ben himself says he was among those making them.

“I made a mistake in the first round,” the British show jumper and world number two said. “I was very early to go and got to the triple way too early on one less stride. And without this horse I wouldn’t be in the jump off.”

Point Break’s agility sets him apart. “His athleticism is what makes him a little separate from the other horses,” Ben said. “I can ride at the jumps and trust him.”

That was not always the case as the younger Point Break was too smart for his own good. “I remember we were in the seven-year olds and then he would be running off across the ring and we’d go to the schooling jumper five minutes after,” he said. “We had to not take away his spirit but to get him on side.

Australia’s Thaisa Erwin and High Star Hero taking on the yellow brick wall – an interesting addition to the course. in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Photo: Sarah Eakin

“He probably finds his job quite easy and it gives him time to play. He used to buck quite a lot – the bucking made good photos but it wasn’t so good for my back. Even in the first warm up class here on Wednesday evening he was bucking a bit so it’s just about getting him focused but keeping his character and spirit in there.”