Aachen, Germany – July 02, 2022 – The €90,600 Allianz Prize CSIO 5* is traditionally the highlight in the Main Stadium on CHIO Saturday. For Christian Ahlmann (GER), today it was above all the moment that turned the for him hitherto unlucky Aachen weekend into a successful one. His four-legged partner in the contest today was Solid Gold Z, a horse that according to him knows exactly what to do as soon as he enters the ring. He demonstrated that impressively today.
The course designer, Frank Rothenberger, had built a challenging course in the 1.55-metre-high Allianz Prize this afternoon. But the result did him justice. Either the ten best pairs or all clear rounds qualified for the second round. And precisely ten pairs jumped clear.
Christian Ahlmann’s eleven-year-old bay Oldenburg-bred stallion (Stakkato Gold x Calvin Z) put in a fantastic performance in the jump-off again and crossed the finish line in an incredible time of 53.55 seconds. That was the fastest time and for Solid Gold Z one of the best achievements in his career so far Ahlmann reported.
Second place was claimed by the birthday boy, the Swiss rider Bryan Balsiger (SUI) with Dubai du Bois Pinchet (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Andiamo), stopping the timers in 54.79 seconds at the end of their second effort. It was the first placing amongst the top three in Aachen for the 25-year-old. “A fantastic birthday present. But it would have been even better to come first, but Christian didn’t bestow that gift upon me,” he joked.
The pair were followed by Harrie Smolders (NED) with his aspiring youngster, the ten-year-old bay Holstein-bred stallion, Uricas v.d. Kattevennen (Uriko x San Patrignano Cassini), registering no penalties in 55.61 at the end of their winning round performance.
Christian Ahlmann said later: “Of course, one is always happy when one wins. But I am particularly delighted today, because I haven’t been placed here yet. My horses jumped well, but somehow it didn’t quite work out yet. I hope that is a good omen for the grand prix tomorrow with Dominator Z!”
Final Results – €90,600 Allianz Prize CSIO 5*
1) Christian Ahlmann (GER) & Solid Gold Z – 0 / 0 – 53.55
2) Bryan Balsiger (SUI) & Dubai du Bois Pinchet – 0 / 0 – 54.79
3) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Uricas v.d.Kattevennen – 0 – 64.12
Source: Press Release (edited) from CHIO Aachen
Photo: © CHIO Aachen / Michael Strauch
Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News Deutschland
