Equestrian star Ben Maher played a key role in helping GB’s showjumpers qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where they will defend their team title from London 2012.

The British showjumpers have reached Brazil after a fourth place finish at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany.

The quartet of former Saffron Walden County High pupil Maher, Joe Clee, Jessica Mendoza and Michael Whitaker picked up one of the three qualifying tickets available as a result of being the second highest placed nation yet to gain their spot at Rio.