Top showjumper Ben Maher's career in pictures

Ben Maher

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

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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.

Ben Maher riding Cella at the 2013 European Championships

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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

Tripple X III MAHER Ben RIHS 2013 King George Cup

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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

From ponies to gold medals — Happy Birthday Ben Maher!