Explosion W retires: London crowd honours Ben Maher’s Olympic gold medal partner
There were emotional scenes in the International Arena at the London International Horse Show on Sunday, 21 December, as Ben Maher officially retired Explosion W, the Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper who helped deliver some of Britain’s biggest moments in the sport.
In front of a sellout crowd, spectators waved 6,000 glow sticks as the legendary 16-year-old gelding entered the arena for his retirement celebration — a fitting tribute to a horse widely regarded as one of the standout performers of modern showjumping.
A special farewell in the International Arena
Explosion W, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, was presented plaited and turned out for the occasion, wearing a Christmas garland decorated with plaques commemorating major wins. He was led into the arena through a festive guard of honour before completing his final laps to a standing ovation.
A full box of carrots was waiting in the centre of the arena — and Explosion W quickly made the most of it, delighting the crowd as he tucked in during the ceremony.
“Explosion has been the horse of a lifetime – I always knew he had something special – an incredible will to win and a presence that captured everyone’s attention,” said Ben.
“We have shared some unforgettable moments together and it feels right to celebrate his retirement in front of a home crowd at the London International Horse Show.”
“Explosion has been the horse of a lifetime.”
Ben maher
A career packed with medals and top-level wins
Renowned for combining power, scope and careful precision, Explosion W partnered with Maher to success on the biggest stages, including:
- Tokyo Olympic Games: Individual gold medal
- 2019 European Championships, Rotterdam (NED): Team bronze and individual silver
- CSI5 Grand Prix wins*: 16 CSI5 grands prix* during his career
The retirement celebration concluded with Explosion W’s final lap of honour as glow sticks lit up the arena.
A moment for British showjumping fans
For the London crowd, the ceremony offered a rare chance to celebrate a horse whose performances have helped shape an era — not just through championship medals, but through consistent top-level success and a presence that made him a fan favourite wherever he competed.