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.
