Ben Maher tops world showjumping rankings

Olympic champion Ben Maher has become the world's top-ranked showjumper after a superb series of results in August.

The 30-year-old from Essex won team gold and individual silver at last month's European Championships.

He was part of the British team that won the Dublin round of the Nations Cup and was victorious in the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead.

"Wow I can't believe it. Thank you to my team, sponsors and all of my horses," Maher said on Twitter.

The Elsenham-based rider, who helped Britain win team gold at London 2012, has risen from 19th to first in the world on the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) Longines rankings.