Richard Vogel Untouchable in Verona as Ben Maher Secures World Cup Top Seven Finish
World No. 1 Richard Vogel delivered an extraordinary performance at Fieracavalli in Verona on Sunday, 8 November, claiming victory in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup with Gangster Montdesir. Britain’s Ben Maher also impressed, finishing seventh after producing one of the fastest jump-off rounds of the competition.
Vogel and his talented 10-year-old partner dominated the nine-horse jump-off, stopping the clock in just 33.02 seconds to finish 3.85 seconds ahead of fellow German Tom Schewe and Congress Blue PS.
France’s Simon Delestre completed the podium aboard Gatsby du Tillard, crossing the finish line in 39.83 seconds.
With €250,000 in prize money and some of the world’s leading combinations competing, the third leg of the Western European League attracted a formidable field. Yet once Vogel had completed his round, the remaining riders were left battling for second place.
Vogel Produces a Jump-Off Nobody Can Match
Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani set a demanding 1.60m track, with nine combinations progressing to the jump-off from a field of 40 starters.
Austria’s Max Kühner was the first rider to produce a double clear, setting an initial target of 43.11 seconds aboard Vivo de Muze PS.
Vogel then entered the arena with Gangster Montdesir and completely changed the complexion of the competition.
Two exceptionally tight inside turns, combined with the gelding’s natural speed and careful jumping, saw the German combination take more than 10 seconds off Kühner’s time.
“Gangster is an incredible horse,” Vogel said. “I could not be prouder of him and how he jumped the jump-off.”
Despite the impressive performance, Vogel admitted that the opening round had not gone entirely to plan. Gangster was caught slightly off guard by the second fence, a wide oxer, but quickly settled into his rhythm.
An adjustment to the warm-up before the jump-off helped the partnership deliver their winning round.
The victory continued Germany’s dominance at Verona, marking the third consecutive year that a German rider has won the World Cup qualifier.
Ben Maher Shows His Speed for Great Britain
Britain’s Ben Maher produced one of the quickest jump-off performances of the afternoon aboard Enjeu de Grisien, but an unfortunate four faults prevented the combination from challenging for a podium position.
The Olympic gold medallist was first into the arena for the shortened course, setting an impressive time of 34.97 seconds.
His pace was remarkable, with only Vogel and Germany’s Daniel Deusser recording faster times during the jump-off. However, one fallen pole proved costly, leaving Maher seventh overall.
The result nevertheless demonstrated the British combination’s competitiveness against an exceptionally strong international field.
Maher arrived in Verona following a fourth-place finish in the previous World Cup qualifier at Lyon, where he partnered Point Break.
He also has a successful history at the Italian venue, having won the Verona World Cup in 2023 aboard Dallas Vegas Batilly.
With the Western European League continuing through the winter, Maher remains an important British contender in the qualification campaign for the 2027 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Gangster Montdesir Continues His Remarkable Rise
At just 10 years old, Gangster Montdesir is already establishing himself as one of the most exciting horses competing at the highest level of international showjumping.
The Kannan-sired gelding has accumulated five Grand Prix victories at the top level, with Vogel praising his intelligence, carefulness and remarkable ability to handle high-pressure jump-offs.
“He’s only 10, but he feels like a professor doing these jump-offs,” Vogel said.
For a horse still developing his experience at five-star level, the Verona performance offered another indication of his considerable potential.
Schewe and Delestre Complete the Podium
Germany’s Tom Schewe delivered an excellent double-clear performance aboard Congress Blue PS to secure second place in 36.87 seconds.
Although he finished nearly four seconds behind Vogel, Schewe was delighted with his horse’s performance and acknowledged the extraordinary standard set by his compatriot.
“There’s a reason why [Vogel] is the No. 1 in the world, and at the moment he’s untouchable,” Schewe said.
France’s Simon Delestre completed the podium with Gatsby du Tillard, another promising 10-year-old.
The gelding has now finished on the podium in both of his World Cup appearances, having placed second on his debut at Leipzig last season.
Delestre, a two-time winner of the Verona competition, believes Gatsby has the ability to develop into an established star at five-star Grand Prix level.
Verona World Cup 2026: Top Seven Results
- Richard Vogel (GER) – Gangster Montdesir – 0 faults, 33.02 seconds
- Tom Schewe (GER) – Congress Blue PS – 0 faults, 36.87 seconds
- Simon Delestre (FRA) – Gatsby du Tillard – 0 faults, 39.83 seconds
- Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) – Minute Man – 0 faults, 41.02 seconds
- Max Kühner (AUT) – Vivo de Muze PS – 0 faults, 43.11 seconds
- Daniel Deusser (GER) – Otello de Guldenboom – 4 faults, 34.85 seconds
- Ben Maher (GBR) – Enjeu de Grisien – 4 faults, 34.97 seconds
Vogel Takes Control of the Western European League
Victory in Verona moves Vogel to the top of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League standings with 37 points.
Austria’s Max Kühner occupies second place on 32 points, while France’s Julien Epaillard sits third with 25.
The series continues at Stuttgart, Germany, on 15 November, with valuable qualification points available as riders work towards the 2027 World Cup Final.
Full competition results and further information can be found through the official FEI World Cup series.
Reporting based on the FEI’s official competition report by Catie Staszak, with additional British rider results.
Everything Horse Editorial Team