Christian Ahlmann and Solid Gold Z, winners of the €101,000 Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Trophy. Photo © Longines Global Champions Tour.
Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour
With the biggest day of the LGCT season less than 24 hours away, Christian Ahlmann gave himself one last confidence boost with a win in the €101,000 Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Trophy 1.55m jump-off class. Saving Dominator 2000 Z (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) for tomorrow's 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour championship battle against Ben Maher and Pieter Devos, Ahlmann rode Sold Gold Z (Stakkato Gold x Calvin Z) to glory in front of a roaring crowd.
This week's horsepower in Riyadh is on another level as the enthusiastic fans were treated to an impressive masterclass of top sport before HH Prince Abdullah Bin Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Saud President - Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation and Honorary President of Organising Committee LGCT Riyadh presented the awards.
Taking the win in a blistering time of 33.37 seconds was man of the moment and LGCT 2022 title contender, Christian Ahlmann aboard his impressive stallion, Solid Gold Z, who took an early lead in what was ultimately an unbeatable time.
Christian Ahlmann and Solid Gold Z. Photo © Longines Global Champions Tour.
Smiling to GCTV and talking to the grandstand spectators Christian Ahlmann explained: "This is a fantastic show, and thank you very much to everyone who come here to cheer for every single rider, it’s a lot of fun. Solid gave everything for me today. It was a big jump-off, and I was early on which is not always easy. It was easy to make a decision – I had to ride as fast as possible, there was no tactic anymore."
Giving exclusive insight into his mindset ahead of tomorrow's championship final Ahlmann then said: "Everything is possible, so we are here to do our best. The first day I was not really happy but today is really fantastic, and I hope to keep the shape for tomorrow. Dominator jumped only on the first day in the warm-up class – he should jump tomorrow, and I am really looking forward to the Grand Prix tomorrow."
Just 0.45 seconds behind Ahlmann, was Irishman Bertram Allan aboard Empoli de Champloue (Arko x Diamant de Semilly) with a time of 33.82 seconds, who was quickly followed by crowd favourite Max Kühner aboard his Eic Cooly Jump The Q (Pacino x Obos Quality 004) with an impressive time of 34.16 seconds.
Then