To celebrate the Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper’s 33rd birthday today (30 January 2016), we’ve dug deep into the archives to find pictures from a time when Ben Maher didn’t have medals hanging round his neck and champagne in his hands…
Ben Maher’s career in pictures
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Ben before he was famous
The early years: Ben took up showjumping at the age of eight and he began competing in pony classes while he was still at school
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Ben Maher with his ponies
Ben with his ponies Tom Cobbley, Go Easy II and Dusty Boy
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Ben Maher riding Dusty Boy
Ben and Dusty Boy in action
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Ben Maher riding Beechways Delight
Ben riding Beechways Delight during his junior showjumping days
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Beijing Olympic Games 2008
At the age of 25, Ben rode for Britain at the 2008 Bejing Olympics in Hong Kong, where the team finished fifth
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2011 European Showjumping Championships in Madrid
Ben Maher and Tripple X III at the European showjumping championships in Madrid, 2011, where the British team picked up a bronze medal, and Ben finished 12th individually
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Ben Maher and Tripple X III win team gold at the London 2012 Olympics
Ben Maher and Tripple X III win team gold at the London 2012 Olympics
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GCT London Global Champions Tour 2013
Ben and Cella clinch the grand prix title at the Global Champions Tour of London in 2013
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London Global Champions Tour 2013
Time to celebrate: Ben soaks up the moment at the Global Champions Tour of London in 2013 after taking the grand prix.
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2013 European Showjumping Championships in Herning, Denmark
Ben MAHER riding Cella (CH) GBR in the Individual Final of the FEI European Championship in Herning, Denmark in August 2013
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RIHS 2013: King George V Gold Cup
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2015 European Showjumping Championships in Aachen, Germany
Ben and Diva II at the 2015 European Showjumping Championships in Aachen, Germany — where the team finished fourth and secured their Olympic qualification for Rio 2016
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Olympia 2015: Ben riding Boomerang
Getting in the Christmas spirit: Ben and Boomerang in the jump-off for the 2015 Santa Stakes at The London International Horse Show, Olympia