At the age of 18, Christian Ahlmann's Taloubet Z will be retired from the sport this coming weekend in Leipzig – one of the stallion's favourite venues. 

“With your 18 years, it is time. You will jump your last show in Leipzig, where you won the World Cup Final in 2011, as well as two more Grand Prix competitions,” writes Ahlmann in a tribute to Taloubet Z on his Facebook page.

The stallion by Galoubet A x Polydor has had an exceptional career under Ahlmann, and will now focus on breeding at the famous Zangersheide stud in Belgium. 

With Ahlmann in the saddle, Taloubet Z won the 2011 World Cup Finals in Leipzig, took the team silver at the European Championships in Aachen as well as team bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. He jumped at a total of four World Cup Finals, as well as two Europeans in addition to the Olympics.

The pair has numerous major wins together, such as from the World Cup in Oslo in 2010, the Grand Prix and the World Cup in Helsinki that same year, the Hermès Grand Prix of Paris in 2011, the LGCT Grand Prix of Estoril in 2011, the World Cup in Leipzig in 2012, the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Geneva in 2012, the World Cup in Leipzig in 2013, the World Cup in Madrid and Mechelen in 2013, the World Cup in Stuttgart in 2016 as well as being on the victorious German team that won the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in 2016 – just to mention some.

“I am very happy that we can retire you top fit and still jumping on the highest level. It was a great pleasure, even though not always easy, to walk your way with you. All these years it was always fascinating to feel what is in you. This power when jumping, your quickness, your fighting spirit and quality is just ‘abnormal’. But your balance and lovely character is also one of a kind,” writes Christian in his tribute – also thanking the Melchior-family and the Zangersheide stud for their trust and belief, as well as all those that took care of Taloubet Z during his amazing career.

Text and picture © World of Showjumping