Maher ready for World Cup bow in Las Vegas

BEIJING Olympian Ben Maher is set to make his Rolex FEI World Cup debut in Las Vegas next weekend.

After accruing ample points early on in the season, 26-year-old Maher will take part along with his 11-year-old bay gelding horse, Robin Hood W.

Maher and Robin Hood, who the show jumper jointly owns with Emma and Mike Phillips of the Quainton Stud, have proved to be a perfect pairing and have performed extremely well in qualifiers.

Maher, of Bishops Stortford, will be joined by British team-mate, Michael Whitaker, who will make his eighth world cup appearance.

Whitaker, who secured a place in the final after claiming third place in Sunday's qualifier in s'Hertogenbosch, Holland, has yet to win the prestigious title.

The experienced Brit took second spot in 2005 on Suncul Portofino 63 and will hope to go one better on the 15-year-old bay mare.

"It's great to see two GB riders making it through to this year's World Cup Final, a mixture of youth and experience, underlining the fact that we have some of the best riders and horses in the world," said British team manager Derek Ricketts.

After American riders dominated the 30 finals held throughout 2008, the Brit contenders will hope to emerge triumphant at this exciting and action packed event.

"I wish both Ben and Michael the very best of luck for the final in Vegas next month and I hope that they find themselves on the podium at the end of the three legs of the competition," added Ricketts.

The annual show, which is celebrating its 30th year, will take place at the Thomas and Mack Centre from April 15-19.

HOLLIE BOSTOCK