German top rider Christian Ahlmann is at the moment very successfully competing in the Longines FEI World Cup. Starting four times in the famous indoor tour, he won three times and one time finished second. Additionally, he won the Grand Prix at the international five-star CSI in Basel. Last weekend he competed in Leipzig.
Mr Ahlmann, so many victories in a row are very special, aren’t they? Can you explain this success?
Well, first of all I am very lucky at the moment. That doesn’t happen regularly. You often go to competitions and return home without any big victory but still you are happy with your horses’ performance… maybe only because someone else was quicker in the jump off.
At the moment, I do have many good horses in my stables and all of them are in good shape. That gives me the chance to compete in a lot of competitions. Still, I can plan very well and give my horses proper rest. That’s very advantageous!
In Leipzig, you already won the Sparkassen-Cup three times, the Grand Prix once and in 2011 you also won the World Cup Finals here. You are by far the best rider in the World Cup ranking and you are already qualified for the finals in Göteborg in the end of March. Did this make your competition in Leipzig more relaxed?
I absolutely didn’t need an additional motivation boost. In Leipzig they always have a great atmosphere and interesting classes to ride. Maybe, I did have a little less pressure this year because I am already qualified for the World Cup. Still, I didn’t want to see any unnecessary poles on the ground. I want both, a successful season in general and a successful competition in Leipzig in specific. At the ‘PARTNER PFERD’ exhibition in Leipzig I am always highly motivated!
Most of your horses are owned by Marion Jauss. She discovered Cöster with whom you were double European Champion in 2002. Does she regularly find such good horses for you?
Ahlmann: We work closely together, still most of the time it’s me who accidentally finds an interesting horse. Marion is very motivated and I know that without her support I wouldn’t be where I am today. We discuss the horses’ competitions together and plan the season with care. She always finds a good solution in case there is a problem. I am very grateful for that.
A busy comeptition schedule, intensive trainings, a three-year-old son and your wife Judy-Ann Melchior who’s father just died and who took over the ‘Gestüt Zangersheide from her dad. How can you manage all these things?
There is a lot to manage indeed. And it got more and more in the last years. The family grew, the horses got more… a few hobbies had to be reduced. And with the challenge the team grew of course. A single person can’t handle all of this. We have a good and reliable team in Marl as well as in Zangersheide on my wife’s property. Besides all the hard work you should never forget to enjoy life a bit and go on holidays sometimes.
Your son is called Leon like his grandfather. How do you like being a dad?
Leon is such a joy! Unfortunately, I only have little time for him, which is a pity. I try to see him as much as possible. He already seems to enjoy the horses and likes riding with me. It would be great if, in a few years, he would sit in the saddle with me standing in the arena giving advice.
Is there also some routine in a typical ‘Ahlmann-week’?
My family is very important to me and I try to spend as much time as possible with them. And my soccer afternoon is also holy. I enjoy meeting other people there. It means getting out of the equestrian world for a little while and not having to talk about horses for some time.
What are your responsibilities in Zangersheide?
I regularly go to Zangersheide to help; as a rider, as a trainer or as advisor and I really like that. My interest in breeding grew a lot in the last few years. My dad was a breeder and I educated some of our own horses and presented them on competitions. However, Zangersheide plays on a different level.
Stallions need to be chosen for licensing, you need to find the right influence on the breeding lines, combinations need to be very carefully planned. That’s all very exciting and a lot of fun.
How do you prepare your horses for the Longines FEI World Cup? Does your training for indoor competitions differ from the training in the outdoor season?
Normally, nothing changes. Of course, before you go to the first indoor competition you practice indoors in your training once before. Typical tasks can be trained, like jumping a fence into a corner or out of a corner. Additionally, the sequence of jumps is faster which also needs some practice. However, the more routine the horse has, the less complicated it is to change from outdoor to indoor.
Is Taloubet Z especially talented in indoor show jumping?
Ahlmann: Taloubet Z is for sure a very flexible horse. He can turn very quickly, that is unique. That’s why in indoor competitions he is at least as good as in outdoor competitions. Still, he also already was very successful in outdoor competitions like Aachen and Barcelona.
Have you already decided which horse you’re going to bring to the finals? And are you already planning for the Olympic games?
I don’t know for sure yet. Taloubet Z and Codex One will have a little rest now. Epleaser had his rest and will now go back into the jumping business again. One out of these three horses will compete in Göteborg. And whichever horse it will be, I will give it a break after the finals and then make new plans for the outdoor season. It’s not like they come to ask wether you feel like riding in Rio. Of course, the outdoor performance has to be good as well.
