Christian Ahlmann has been a force of the German show jumping scene at various points in his career and has been known to dominate the LGCT scene, including a winning performance yesterday aboard Codex One. But it was an unknown young’un ranked #299th in the FEI Global Rankings who stole hearts and became a champion in the hearts of German fans yesterday: Simone Blum aboard her long, lean and marvelous mare, Alice.
Together, Christian and Simone served up a nearly all-German podium in their home city stop on the tour to the delight of German crowds, and Simone very nearly edged Christian until the very last turn of the jump-off.
Morning morning… Can we just rewind a little to check out the head to head from yesterday's jump-off. Check out where the mighty Christian and Codex One won it…
Posted by Longines Global Champions Tour on Sunday, July 30, 2017
The red ribbon regardless is certainly no disappointment to Simone: It is her best five-star finish to date in her career, and only Alice’s second five-star ever, who just made her top level debut LAST WEEK. Certainly not the last we’ll see of her and the ten-year-old mare who Simone has brought up through the FEI ranks herself since getting the mare in 2014.
“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.”
You can see a longer interview with Simone in Berlin after her big finish here:
Christian Ahlmann went on to not only take this win over the weekend in Berlin, but also the big CSI 5* class Sunday Afternoon on his dreamy 14-year-old gray stallion, Colorit.
“Wonderful show. For me it was brilliant to have the first big class and the second Grand Prix as well, so couldn’t be better,” said Christian after his second win, composed and German as ever. You can watch a snippet of his split screen win in the segment below.
Less willing to show their reserved, modest German side: Colorit, who put on a show of his own in the victory gallop:
See all the results from the LGCT Berlin at Longines Timing. There will be no week off before our next tour stop: We’re headed straight to London for the Tour’s debut at the Royal Hospital Chelsea this week, so keep it locked on JN!