Christian Ahlmann shines at Riyadh World Cup

Last weekend there was of course a lot of attention for the CHI of Geneva in Switzerland, but also in Saudi Arabia a real five-star competition was on the programme the past few days with the World Cup competition of Riyadh. Christian Ahlmann also travelled to the oil state for this and managed to jump a top ranking with Mandato van de Neerheide as well as the stallion Otterongo Alpha Z.

The highlight of the weekend in Riyadh was undoubtedly the FEI World Cup on Friday evening, in which Christian Ahlmann managed to claim a leading role with the 12-year-old gelding Mandato van de Neerheide (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Pommeau du Heup - H: Eric Van Giel). Ahlmann and Mandato stayed clear in the 1.60m basic round, making them one of six combinations to qualify for the ultimate jump-off. As the penultimate combination to start, the pair once again managed to keep it neatly clear, securing^2nd place!

But Ahlmann also enjoyed success in Riyadh with our 10-year-old chestnut stallion Otterongo Alpha Z (Darco x Hedjaz - B: Jozef Poets). So Ahlmann and Otterongo Alpha Z started their show on Thursday with a podium place in the 1.50m main class. In a class against the clock, they kept all the bars neatly in the scoops and a finishing time of 62.79 seconds again earned Ahlmann^2nd place in the standings.

Another striking combination in Riyadh were Saudi rider Khaled Almobty and the 9-year-old mare Diana de Plevau Z, a daughter of our stallion Dieu Merci Van T&L Z and Kashmir Van Schuttershof from the breeding farm of Marc Palm. Almobty and Diana de Plevau Z competed three times and managed to win three prizes. Both in the 1.45m opening class on Thursday and in the CSI5* Grand Prix on Saturday they were good for ^7th place, while they secured a nice ^3rd place in the 1.45m class on Friday.

There were also two further placings for Emirati Shk. Ali Jmal Nasr Al Nuami with the 9-year-old stallion Cobalt Vd Bisschop Z, a breeding product of Tom De Craene who combined the blood of our grey stallion Cicero Z with that of Berlin. Nasr Al Nuami and Cobalt Vd Bisschop Z started their competition in Riyadh with a ^6th place during the 1.50m class on Thursday and during the FEI World Cup on Friday they were good for a ^7th place. Then a penalty point for time in the basic round unfortunately kept them out of the jump-off.