The Germans continued to dominate at CSI3* Aachen International Jumping on Saturday, with Christian Ahlmann and Daniel Deusser taking first and second in the feature class – the 1.45m STAWAG Prize.

Under the current Covid-19 restrictions, only 300 spectators have been allowed into the Deutsche Bank Stadium that has a capacity of 6300 seats – but those who were there made sure to cheer the riders on to create a good atmosphere. “It's great to be here again, a huge thanks to the organisers," Christian Ahlmann commented after his win. 

Out of the 40 horse-and-rider combinations in the class, twelve made it to the jump-off – where one rider after the other pushed the speedometer up. The shortened course opened with a long stretch between the two first jumps, then twisted and turned with several rollbacks before the final line invited to a proper gallop across the stadium. With four left to go, world no. one Steve Guerdat (SUI) was in the lead after a spectacular jump-off with Bandit Savoie (Qlassic Bois Margot x Alcamera de Moyon) – perfecting the turn between the third-last and penultimate vertical to stop the clock at 44.20. 

As next in the ring, Christian Ahlmann and the 8-year-old chestnut Mandato van de Neerheide (Emerald x Pommeau du Heup) made it especially exciting for the spectators on the third oxer in the jump-off – clearing it from a near standstill, and very close to the left wings. Taking advantage of the gelding's huge stride, Ahlmann covered plenty of ground quickly on the final line and went into the lead with a time of 43.29 seconds. "I didn't know what I wanted there, but Mandato then took over – I have no idea how we cleared it,” Ahlmann smiled when talking about the added excitement in his jump-off round. 

Coming in as last to go, Daniel Deusser and Kiana van het Herdershof (Toulon x Lys de Darmen) gave Ahlmann’s time a good shot and were only 0.26 seconds behind when crossing the finish line – pushing Guerdat down to third. Ricardo Pissani (ITA) ended fourth with Charlemagne Jt Z (Cachas x Carthago Z) and Frank Schuttert (NED) fifth with Fidelius G (For Edition x Grand Royal).