Christian Ahlmann’s powerful home victory on Codex One (Contendro I x Glueckspilz) in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Berlin Presented by Sapinda set German hearts racing and intensified the race to the finish line for the overall title.
The home hero had the crowd on their feet as world class show jumping proved a huge hit in the German capital city. Their joy soared as 28-year-old German national rider Simone Blum held her nerve and galloped to second place on the podium leaving some of the world’s heavyweights in her wake. It was a career result she described as “unbelievable”.
Ahlmann’s special win capped a stunning weekend of top sport. He described Codex One as an “absolute talent” and delivered a turbo-charged lap of honour for the home fans. He has now climbed to third place in the overall ranking on 220 points - only one point behind Alberto Zorzi (ITA) on 221 points. Harrie Smolders (NED) holds the lead on 252 points but with a smaller margin.
There were several bogey fences in Frank Rothenberger’s tricky course in the first round including a Longines double of liverpools towards the in-gate and a solid final fence featuring an image of the Brandenburg Gate.
But the biggest test was the treble combination which proved to be a challenge too far for popular names such as Janne-Friederike Meyer (GER) with Goja (Wandor van de Mispelaere x Palestro v Begijnakker), and Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) with Driandria (Carthino Z x Sheraton). The horses needed power to clear the oxer in, but then restraint to be checked back for the tall skinny plank.
Ludger Beerbaum (GER) put in a phenomenal round with Chacon (Chacco-Blue x Aventyno), a relatively new horse to his string, jumping clear. But cheers quickly turned to groans as the multiple Olympic gold medallist picked up a costly time fault.
With eight out of the world’s Top 10 riders in Berlin the battle was on. But six stellar combinations clocked up four faults including Jack Towell (USA) and New York (Verdi x Watzmann), Max Kuhner (AUT) and Chardonnay (Clarimo x Corrado I), Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance (Lord Z x Notaris), Alberto Zorzi (ITA) and Cornetto K (Cornet Obolensky x Calido), Simon Delestre (FRA) and Hermes Ryan (Hugo Gesmeray x Ryon d'Anzex) and Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) and Gunder (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Randel Z). All were out of contention for a jump off.
Ranking leader Harrie Smolders (NED) had four faults on Capital Colorado (Colman x Coronado) and a painful time penalty pushing him down the points order and shrinking his ranking lead.
Leopold van Asten (NED) was greeted with a huge cheer as he delivered the first clear round on VDL Groep Beauty (For Pleasure x Contender). Would there be a jump off?
The crowd did not have to wait long as the next rider, Simone Blum (GER) and her chestnut mare DSP Alice (Askari x Landrebell) set off in impressive style and delivered a polished clear to roars of approval from the grandstand and grass banks filled with thousands of spectators. Hot on her heels Christian Ahlmann powered around the course on Codex One setting up a three-way fight for the win. The jump off was on.
There was deflation as van Asten as he fell foul of the Longines double and a tricky brown oxer to put him on 8 faults.
The crowd collectively held their breath as 28-year-old biology and chemistry student Simone Blum entered the ring and proceeded to clear fence after fence. The crowd stood and could barely contain their excitement until the final fence when the arena exploded as Blum finished clear in 41.01s.
Either way a home win was secured. Ahlmann and Codex One bolted out of the starting blocks taking no prisoners. It was a masterclass and the combination stopped the clock in 40.56s to take the win.
Marco Danese, Sporting Director Longines Global Champions Tour: “Frank Rothenberger did a very good job - it was not an easy course, but I think is normal as it’s only for the very best riders. It was technical and difficult course so I think that the three riders with clear rounds can be really proud as they did a fantastic job today.”
Volker Wulff, President Global Jumping Berlin: “Berlin has waited for a long time for a big equestrian show. Everyone came to me and said please can we have a show in the city. Two years ago I spoke to Jan Tops and we decided to work on the idea to have a show in Berlin on the Longines Global Champions Tour. We decided to do it and it started getting exciting, and in the end it’s been [great].”
Christian Ahlmann (GER), 1st place: “I’m really, really happy. I’m climbing up the rankings. I’m really happy with the show, as a German rider it’s great to have a show here, with such great support from the crowd. It was a lot of fun to ride! It was good to ride Codex here after his time off, it’s only his third show after his break. He jumped special today. He makes me very proud. Codex is a huge talent, he can do any ring - in the jump-off he knew what to do, Simone did a brilliant job and she has a very fast horse. I knew I had to take a risk. He was a little tired but his jump was the same and his head was really fighting for it makes him really, really special and it was enough to win.”
Simone Blum (GER), 2nd place: “This year was really amazing. I won the German Championship, which is already a big success for me. I was able to come here, and that I could get second place is unbelievable. I think everyone wants to take [Alice] home! She’s an unbelievable horse - she’s so full of power, she’s a fighter. She makes me so proud. She’s a very fast horse - I think I was a little nervous in the jump-off, that’s why it was not my best, but I’m really pleased.”
Leopold van Asten (NED), 3rd place: “My horse jumped very good today, particularly in the first round. I was quite confident going into the Grand Prix - I had a good feeling all the way. Today was the best feeling I had [with my horse] and it worked out well. [Coming first into the jump-off] you know you have two very good riders behind you. I tried a little but my horse felt a little empty for the jump-off. I had a fault straight away and then the concentration was gone. But at the end of the day I was very pleased with my horse today.”
Harrie Smolders (NED), overall LGCT Ranking Leader: “I’m really pleased today - it was only the second show for me and Capital Colnardo so we have to learn each other a little bit. I have improved my ranking a little bit, but with Zorzi and Alhmann behind me it’s getting closer and will be really exciting until the end."
Source: Press release from the LGCT / Photo (c) Stefano Grasso/LGCT.