Home hero Ahlmann dominates in LGCT Grand Prix of Hamburg
Mdmar – LGCT – Hamburg
Christian Ahlmann today secured his
place in the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix after a
spectacular home win in Hamburg, Germany with his top stallion Dominator 2000
Z. Packed grandstands witnessed the local hero finish just ahead of young
talent Michael Pender with HHS Calais and Andre Thieme on DSP Chakaria meaning
for the second time this season riders finished joint second after stopping the
clock in the exact same time of 51.33s.
The German
master declared he achieved ‘One of the biggest goals of the year’ by winning
his golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix. Ahlmann also takes over as
ranking leader in the 2022 Championship race with 119 points while Pieter Devos
drops to second place on the same number of points as Ahlmann but fewer podiums
this year. Niels Bruynseels jumps up to third on 110 points and Gilles Thomas
clings on to fourth with 101.
“*mdmar’s” news site for horse racing and equestrian
Christian
Ahlmann told GCTV: “It’s an amazing win in front of a home crowd. It is
a full house even without not so perfect weather, it was an unbelievable
feeling today. I know the ring very well and I know Dominator very well, we had
our difficulties at the start of this show but today he jumped amazing and he
gave everything so we had a perfect day. I was hoping for this golden ticket
but I didn’t expect it today.”
Thousands
of passionate and knowledgeable spectators withstood the rain to watch the
world’s best perform. The expansive grass arena provided the perfect backdrop
for the thrilling finish to the LGCT Hamburg weekend, with families and fans
treated to a sensational showdown featuring the very best horses and riders for
the sixth leg of the Championship race.
Eight
combinations jumped clear around the Frank Rothenberger-designed course to
qualify through to the jump-off, five of which were German.
First to
tackle the jump-off track was Andre Thieme whose mount DSP Chakaria, put major
pressure on the rest of the field as they delivered a smooth clear but Thieme
was shaking his head as he walked out of the arena to a standing ovation
knowing he hadn’t done quite enough with a time of 51.33s.
“*mdmar’s” news site for horse racing and equestrian
Mario
Stevens actually looked faster across the ground than Thieme but taking a check
to the final fence to play it safe for the double clear cost him a podium
position as he stopped the clock in 52s exactly.
Ahlmann’s
ride, the 12-year-old Dominator 2000 Z, has been a regular podium placer and is
arguably one of most well known showjumping horses in the world and today he
was unbeatable. Once Dominator 2000 Z was safely over the tricky Longines
double, Ahlmann galloped the rest of the course, trusting the horse to clear
the enormous fences at top speed in 50.51s, with the incredible round watched
by a delighted home crowd.
The last two
German hopes Gerrit Nieberg on Blues D’Aveline CH and the famous Marcus Ehning
and his speedy Stargold both had an early pole but neither of them would have
made the time to beat.
U25 rider
for the St Tropez Pirates, Michael Pender secured his first LGCT Grand Prix
podium and the best result of his career with the super HHS Calais. With the
owners stood watching on the kiss and cry Pender did everything he could to
squeeze all the speed out of the big scopey horse. He crossed the finish line
in the exact same time as Thieme to share the second place spot on the podium.
“*mdmar’s” news site for horse racing and equestrian
It wasn’t
to be for Johnny Pals on Charley or Niels Bruynseels with Cristel who were the
last two combinations to tackle the testing track both picking up faults and
finishing outside of the top 5 today but picking up valuable ranking points for
the hot Championship race.
So it
would be Ahlmann’s day, with the flying German sealing the victory and a golden
ticket to the GC Prague Playoffs where he will contest the Longines Global
Champions Tour Super Grand Prix. Alongside him is an already stellar line-up of
Ludger Beerbaum, Katrin Eckermann, Denis Lynch, Sanne Thijssen and Malin
Baryard-Johnsson, with all eyes looking to Round 7 of the Championship race in
Cannes next week.
“*mdmar’s” news site for horse racing and equestrian
The “Midmar” website for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
