Christian Ahlmann and Daniel Deusser out inspecting the course. "When I walked the course, I must say I thought it was big enough,” Ahlmann said of the track. “In Aachen we actually have a Grand Prix every day and today it should have been less than a qualification or a Nations Cup, but it was still tough enough, because of the big water and the double with the water – so with special fences."

Mclain Ward having a look at the Rolex upright at 12, that took the riders down to the open water, which caused lots of trouble.

The first clear came from home hero Gerrit Nieberg and Blues d'Aveline CH, that finished 4th.

Thumbs up from Nicolas Pizarro after a clear in round one.

Bryan Balsiger celebrated his birthday by placing 2nd in Saturday's CSIO5* 1.55m Allianz-Prize with Dubai du Bois Pinchet.

A shoe flew off for Nicolas Delmotte's Ilex VP, and unfortunately, one jump later, the gelding hit the tape on the water and recorded four faults – as so many others.

Nayel Nassar and El Conde jumped a superb clear in the first round, but unfortunately the two did not return for the second round after an unlucky tumble in the warm-up.

Gregory Wathelet and Beau Gosse Du Park had a great clear in the first round, but in the jump-off the wall caused problems and the two fell down on the result list to end 7th.

Lille Keenan and the stunner Agana van het Gerendal Z delivered a beautiful round, but unfortunately a foot in the water and two time penalties were added to their final score.

Many riders got in trouble in the combination at 8ab, with an oxer on one stride to this liverpool. Here Megane Moissonnier who wisely retired Baladin Des Matis after the gelding decided not to jump the b-element.

Treats for Uricas v.d.Kattevennen after finishing 3rd with Harrie Smolders.

The winners: Christian Ahlmann and Solid Gold Z.

Harry Charles really went for Ahlmann's time in the jump-off, but had a scary crash at the wall...

...luckily Borsato was caught and both horse and rider walked out the ring on four and two feet respectively.

Full focus from Martin Fuchs and Commissar Pezi, who jumped clear in the first round, but unfortunately retired in the jump-off after not getting the best start to the shortened course.

Finally: Full house at CHIO Aachen after two years of Covid.

Enola Gay Of Two Notes Z had good reason to smile...

...after top performances in Aachen this week; he finished 5th with Wilm Vermeir, after also being 3rd in Wednesday's Prize of StädteRegion Aachen.

Mclain Ward's Kasper van het Hellehof.

All smiles on the German team after Ahlmann's win.

Condor One Z had to step in for the prize giving.