German Ahlmann clinches top honours at CHI Al Shaqab

Germany’s Christian Ahlmann produced a stunning ride with his 11-year-old stallion Dominator 2000 Z to clinch a thrilling Grand Prix at the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines  Saturday.The formidable combination took top honours in the CSI5* 1.60m class, jumping double clear and then setting the fastest time in the six-way jump-off at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.

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Ahlmann and Dominator beat French rider Olivier Robert and his 12-year-old Gelding Vivaldi des Meneaux by just 0.100 seconds. The German rider was the first to go in the jump-off and he produced a daring performance, drawing gasps from the crowd, as he delivered the winning round in 36.17 seconds.Robert and Vivaldi des Meneaux jumped clear in 36.27 seconds. Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels on Delux Van T&L finished in third place after coming home in 36.82 seconds.“Dominator is a fantastic horse and very intelligent. I was the first to go and it wasn’t the best position to be in. But I tried as hard as I could. I’d good turns and everything worked like I wanted it to. But with opponents like this, you can never be sure. In the end, it worked out well,” said the 46-year-old Ahlmann, who walked away with €135,300 in prize money.

Robert was content with runner-up finish. “I’m very happy with my second place finish today. When I walked into the second round, I felt as if we had so many fantastic horses. I think this is going to be a fantastic year of competitions,” the Frenchman said.Earlier, Julien Epaillard, who had won the opening event of the championship on Thursday, triumphed for the second time in three days. The Frenchman topped the CSI5*1.45 class with Safari d'Auge in 67.99 seconds.Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar astride Legend was second in 70.53 seconds, followed by the Netherlands Maikel van der Vleuten and Kamara van't Heike in 72.25 seconds.Meanwhile, Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl clinched the dressage Grand Prix Freestyle title. The German had won the Grand Prix - CDI5* with the 17-year-old KWPN horse Zaire-E on Friday, and they put on another spectacular show yesterday.Bredow-Werndl and Zaire-E were unbeatable as all jury members placed the combination at the top with a total score of 84.780%. The Germans swept the podium after Helen Langehanenberg (Damsey FRH) took second place with 82.050% score, while Dorothee Schneider (Faustus 94) was third with a total score of 81.865%.RESULTSCommercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines Grand Prix 1.60m/Two Rounds + Jump Off1. Christian Ahlmann (GER); Horse: Dominator 2000 Z; Time: 75.75 secs & 36.17; Prize money: €1353002. Olivier Robert (FRA); Vivaldi des Meneaux; 72.35 & 36.27 secs; €820003. Niels Bruynseels (BEL) Delux Van T & L; 75.34 & 36.82 secs, €43050Jumping CSI 5* 1.45m/Table C1. Julien Epaillard (FRA) Horse: Safari D Auge; Time: 67.99 secs; Prize money: €63502. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP); Legend; 70.53 secs; €50803. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) Kamara Van'T Heike; 72.25 secs; €3810DressageCommercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines Grand Prix Freestyle1. Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER); Horse: Zaire-E; Total score: 84.780; Prize money: € 26000 2. Helen Langehanenberg (GER); Damsey FRH; 82.050%; €210003. Dorothee Schneider (GER); Faustus 94; 81.865%; €15000CDI 5* Grand Prix Special1. Nicolas Wagner Ehlinger (LUX); Horse: Quater Back Junior FRH; Total scores: 74.128%; Prize money: €64002. Dennis Fisker (DEN); Delatio; 70.553%; €50003. Tatyana Kosterina (RUS); Diavolessa VA; 68.575%; €3800Para-DressageCPEDI3* Freestyle IV (IV FS)1. Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA); Horse: Don Henrico; Total points: 81.075%; Prize money: €12002. Lotte Krijnsen (NED); Rosenstolz; 75.500%; €10003. Neel Schakel (NED); Edison; 74.083%; €800CPEDI3* Freestyle V (V FS)1. Amelia White (AUS); Genius; 73.733%; €13202. Valentina Strobl (AUT); Bequia Simba; 72.350%; €10003. Tamsin Addison (IRL); Donna Siesta; 67.750%; €800CPEDI3* Freestyle I (I FS)1. Ana Isabel Mota Veiga (POR); Convicto; 70.545; €13202. Magdalena Cycak (POL); Sybilla; 67.545; €1000CPEDI3* Freestyle II (II FS)1. Pepo Puch (AUT); Sailor's Blue; 78.789%; €13202. Annemarieke Nobel (NED); Doo Schufro; 69.445%; €1000CPEDI3* Freestyle III (III FS)1. Rixt van der Horst (NED); Findsley N.O.P.; 80.678%; €13202. Maud de Reu (NED); Webron N.O.P; 77.456%; €1000