2004 CSIO Aachen

Christian Ahlmann, Happy But Also a Little Bit Sad

July 19, 2004

Finishing in second place in the Grand Prix of Aachen tasted like sour grapes to Ahlmann. The 29-year old European Show Jumping Champion rode two clear rounds and a faultless jump off but was 0.04 seconds slower than Fuchs. Ahlmann and Fuchs were the only two out of four riders in the jump off to ride three clear Grand Prix courses.

Christian Ahlmann works in his father Georg's business in Marl, Germany. George Ahlmann is an international show jumping rider as well, and also runs a trotter race stables. Christian graduated as Stable Manager after having worked for Paul Schockemohle for three years.

Ahlmann won team gold as German junior rider at the European Championships in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1990 he won Individual bronze.

As young rider, he won silver at the 1994 European Championships and team gold at the 1993 and 1994 Euro Championships.

Ahlmann, who was tipped to be the favorite for the victory, said, "I'm very happy, but also a little bit sad." During the award ceremony, happiness was not very much written on Ahlmann's face, it more reflected disappointment.

Text and Photos by Astrid Appels of Eurodressage.com