The pair, who had finished second in this very class just twelve months ago, delivered a masterclass of precision and speed to finally take the top spot, their first Grand Prix win together since Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in Riyadh last year.

On a picture-perfect British summer’s afternoon, the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea provided an iconic backdrop as the world’s best battled it out before a completely sold-out crowd, with standing room only. The atmosphere crackled with energy, every cheer echoing off the grandstands as home hero Ben Maher lit up the jump-off in dramatic fashion.

Twice a previous winner of this class (2013, 2019), Maher and the ultra-consistent 11-year-old Point Break were early to go in the jump-off – and made a statement. Taking an incredible 5.3 seconds off the leading time at that stage, Maher set the arena alight to take second place today.

Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels took a hugely popular third place on his new mount, the 12-year-old stallion Chacco’s Lando OL. This was the combination’s very first LGCT appearance together – and only their third show in total.

Securing his golden ticket to the 2025 LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague at the GC Playoffs he went on to say: “Whoever has ridden the LGCT Super Grand Prix once in their life wants to do it again, I have done it now twice in Prague and once in Riyadh and I am really excited for it already now - Prague is an amazing show, the crowd is amazing, the atmosphere is incredible - it’s a really special show. It is the only indoor show we have in the season which makes it even more special, and the LGCT Super Grand Prix on Saturday night there is super exciting.”

Having never won a 5* Grand Prix together, Ben Maher and Point Break really delivered today. “Proud, really proud of him - he’s incredible. We have to win one of these for him one of these days… it’s been close a number of times now!” As for a home show? Ben added, “it’s incredible to ride here at home and have my family here which means a lot to me!”

“It’s unbelievable really!” Niels Bruynseels said. As such a new partnership he explained, “it is not the position i expected to be in at the beginning of the week, I wasn't even sure I'd jump him in the Grand Prix qualifier on Friday, then again, I wasn't sure if i would jump him today  in the LGCT Grand Prix as maybe it is a little early, as I really wanted to make the best plan possible for him… but at the end of the day, it looks like this was the best plan!”

The Royal Hospital Chelsea provided its trademark grandeur, with a picture-perfect British summer backdrop and a packed grandstand – creating an atmosphere that riders described as ‘insane.’ The iconic Chelsea Pensioners, resplendent in their scarlet coats, escorted the winners to prize-giving beneath the historic brick façade.

The Championship race remains electric. Despite an early exit today, Gilles Thomas retains the overall lead on 206 points, followed by Simon Delestre on 158.2 and Andreas Schou on 140. Maikel van der Vleuten moves into fourth on 131.67, while today’s win rockets Kukuk from 13th to fifth on 130 points, injecting himself firmly into the title fight as the season builds towards its climax.

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