Home hero Christian Ahlmann recorded his third win in the CSI5* 1.60m Longines Grand Prix of Hamburg last Saturday, when he rode the 10-year-old stallion Dourkhan Hero Z (Don't Touch Tiji Hero x Zandor Z) to the victory at the 2025 Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby. Ahlmann also won this class with Codex One in 2013, and with Dominator Z in 2022.
"He delivered an absolutely brilliant performance here today," Ahlmann said of his stallion. "In the jump-off, I looked at Christian (Kukuk) and thought the whole thing was 'done.' On the screen, it looked perfect. I really didn't expect it to work out. So, it was all the more wonderful that it turned out this way."
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The first clear in the Grand Prix was delivered by Rene Dittmer and Corsica X as start number 8.
A happy Team Dittmer!
Immediate German broadcasting at the in-gate.
As many as 15 horse-and-rider combinations ended up with four faults; Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and GB Diamantina were one of them.
Takashi Haase Shibayama and Karamell M & M leaving the arena with the result of four faults.
Gerrit Nieberg's Ping Pong van de Lentamel is definitely a crowd favourite.
With four faults, Sandra Auffahrt and Quirici H ended 13th – just outside the ribbons.
Teike Friedrichsen and Greece 5 delivered a great round...
...but a pole on the very last fence dropped to the ground.
Marvin Jüngel thanking DSP Kontendra S after a four-fault round.
Koen Vereecke and Quinoa de La Liniere also had to see a pole fall to the ground.
Stephi de Boer and Quirici H delivered a great CSI5* debut, with only four faults in the Grand Prix.
Team celebration...
... when Kristaps Neretnieks and Valour delivered a great clear, just inside the time allowed.
The 19-year-old Con Quidam RB taking a good look at the crowds before delivering a clear round.
As always, it was a full horse at Klein Flottbek and the crowd was amazing!
Jana Wargers and Dorette OLD also qualified for the jump-off.
Stefan Engbers and Baju NRW were the fastest four-faulters to take the 10th place.
Next to go – Laura Klaphake and Quizano VDL...
...who delivered a great clear and qualified for the jump-off.
Clara Blau and Paul did such a great round, but had to see one time penalty added to their score.
Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 made light work of the course.
Harrie Smolder's Mr. Tac taking in the atmosphere.
A clear round for Peder Fredricson and SV Vroom de La Pomme Z.
Christian Ahlmann and Dourkhan Hero Z made it a bit too exciting at the open water, but somehow they managed to clear it and got straight back into balance.
Ahlmann was the last rider to qualify for the jump-off.
Kristaps Neretnieks and Valour were pathfinders in jump-off with another clear, to eventually end 4th.
Con Quidam RB set off in his usual eager style. With four faults in the jump-off, it ended with a 7th place.
Jana Wargers and Dorette OLD eventually ended eight.
Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 set the new time to beat in the jump-off, but it did not hold to the end and the pair eventually had to settle for 2nd place. "Overall, it wasn't perfect, so to be honest, I'm all the happier to have finished second," Kukuk said afterwards about his jump-off.
German Chef d'Equipe Otto Becker had a busy schedule, flying back an forth between the Nations Cup in St. Gallen and Hamburg.
Sportsmanship!
Dourkhan Hero Z.
All smiles from Laura Klaphake, who ended 5th.
Elsa Fau, Christian's long-time groom, was all smiles as well.
Rene Dittmer and Corsica X finished 6th after recording four faults in the jump-off.
Madeleine Winter-Schulze, who owns Checker together with Thomas Müller, was first out to congratulate Christian Kukuk on the second place.
Smile for the camera!
Madeleine Winter-Schulze congratulating Christian Ahlmann.
Selfie time for the winners.
All smiles from Peder Fredricson, who ended third with SV Vroom de La Pomme Z.
SV Vroom de la Pomme Z and Madde Nord.
Second-placed Christian Kukuk and Checker.
A snack for the winner!
Then