Ben Maher and Tic Tac Reunite for Success in $140,000 Hygain Feeds Grand Prix CSI3* at 2022 WEF

Ben Maher and Tic Tac Reunite for Success in $140,000 Hygain Feeds Grand Prix CSI3* at 2022 WEF

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2022 – Week two of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), presented by Hygain Feeds, concluded with victory on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village for 2020 Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher (GBR) and longtime partner Tic Tac, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, in the $140,000 Hygain Feeds Grand Prix CSI3*.

In total, 11 nations were represented in the overall field, but Ireland gave themselves a fair chance at the victory as Friday’s $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round Two winner Eoin McMahon added himself to the list. Ultimately, 13 of the original 46 contestants managed to successfully answer all of Soberon’s questions, and the short track was then set for their return. O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu immediately put on the pressure as he returned first and blazed through the timers in 43.88 seconds clean. O’Shea held on to that victory until Maher stepped foot onto the field with the 19-year-old SBS stallion (Clinton x Darco). Maher shaved mere milliseconds off of the Irishman’s previous leading time and landed at the top in 43.52 seconds.

O’Shea’s ride was good for second place with the Machu Picchu Partners LLC’s now 15-year-old KWPN gelding (Silverstone x Matterhorn).

As one of the final few to contend in the jump-off, Millar once again made sure there was a woman on the podium by flying onward with Millar Brooke Farm and Overland’s 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding Truman (Mylord Carthagohn x Kolibri) in a time of 43.99 seconds to secure third. The position was no easy feat as Millar explained she had been working upwards of a year to gain speed on the gelding.

Source: Press release PBIEC

Photo: © Sportfot