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| Christian Ahlmann wins the first 2010/ 2011 Rolex World Cup qualifier with Taloubet Z. By Roger Svalsrod/FEI |
Christian Ahlmann won the opening leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Western European League with Taloubet Z at Oslo in Norway on Sunday when German riders took the top three places. And Ahlmann's victory was all the more creditable for the fact that the 36-year-old rider suffered the tragic loss of one of his top horses, the nine-year-old stallion Calvados Z, earlier in the day.
"It wasn't easy for me to ride and to concentrate on my job," aid Christian. "But Taloubet really did his very best for me."
Ludger Beerbaum slotted into second place ahead of Lars Nieberg in third. The first non-German in the line-up was fourth-placed Frenchman Kevin Staut, who headed The Netherlands' Leon Thijssen in fifth.
Seven of the 40 starters jumped clear over Norwegian course-designer Terje Olsen Nalum's first-round track. Described by many of the riders as "not over-big" it proved plenty tough enough. The real surprise of the course was the number of top riders who faulted at the last oxer having completed an otherwise faultless tour of the 13-fence challenge.
Ireland's Jessica Kuerten, currently lying 10th in the Rolex World Rankings, was amongst these. Partnering the 10-year-old chestnut mare Castle Forbes Cosma, she looked set for a fault-free first effort but, like many before her, she met the last on a very long stride and although Cosma did her best to clear the back rail, it fell to keep the Irish combination out of the deciding round.
Jump-off
Italy's Emanuele Gaudiano was pathfinder against the clock with the fizzy chestnut gelding Chicago. The long run to the final oxer in the shortened course invited error all the way, but it was the oxer at fence three which left Gaudiano carrying four faults in the time of 45.82 seconds after the Italian approached it at an angle and paid the price.
Sweden's Malin Baryard-Johnsson suffered the same fate at the same spot with the stallion H&M Tornesch and then added four more faults when catching the left-hand wing at the second element of the former combination, so The Netherlands' Leon Thijssen shot straight to the top of the leaderboard when third to go.
His 10-year-old stallion Tyson, who jumped like a cat on his first visit to the arena, produced another clear in 47.99 seconds, but although this was always going to ensure a prominent finishing spot, the time looked vulnerable.
World number one Kevin Staut immediately shaved more than 4 seconds off that target despite some cheeky bucking from his Quidam de Revel gelding Le Prestige de Hus, so Lars Nieberg was chasing the time of 43.79 seconds as he set off with Levito. And the German rider reset the parameters with the coolest of clears in 43.33 seconds to put it up to the remaining two contenders.
Change of plan
His fellow-countrymen had a new plan however and second-last to go Ludger Beerbaum cut even more time off the clock by crossing the arena to approach the remaining two elements of fence seven on the left-rein rather than the right. His finishing time of 42.12 seconds with his 11-year-old stallion Chaman now held a handsome lead, but it didn't last long.
The last two German riders had been discussing this new route-option prior to the jump-off and once he had seen Ludger make it work, Christian was confident.
"Ludger and I talked about this new line but neither of us were 100% sure if it was better," said Christian. "But when I saw him go, I knew it was good."
Setting off with determination he knew exactly what he had to do and drove home his advantage with an extra-tight turn to fence seven which brought him home in 41.40 seconds for a clear victory.
"The course was big enough but fair, quite a few horses had just one fence down and the jump-off track was clever and quick," said Christian.
He admitted that it had been a tough day despite his success. His stallion Calvados Z died suddenly in his stable earlier in the day.
"It was really, really sad," he said, adding that the horse was subsequently taken to the veterinary hospital at the University of Oslo for post-mortem examination.
"This is Taloubet's biggest win, although he has competed well this season and was placed during the Global Champions Tour," Christtian explained.
Ludger described the jump-off as "very fast" but believed he "could have gone faster!" And Christian admitted that he reaped the benefit of seeing his fellow-countryman go ahead of him.
"I was very positive about the jump-off and I was lucky to have a more experienced rider like Ludger going in front of me to show me the way," he said.
Lars was placed third and when Emanuele was disqualified, because blood was visible on his horse's flanks, Kevin slotted into fourth. Leon finished was fifth ahead of Malin and Ludo Philippaerts of Belgium with the fastest four faults from Nobel de Virton.
For full results, click here
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