Christian Ahlmann's Dominator 2000 Z returns to the show ring in Riesenbeck Not only in the big stadium of Riesenbeck was there top sport to see on Wednesday. Horses with star qualities also presented themselves in the three-star tour on the newly laid out sand arena. One horse in particular stood out: After a break from competing, Christian Ahlmann’s super talent Dominator 2000 Z returned to the international stage.
The eleven-year-old Zangersheide stallion by Diamant de Semilly is one of the most talented horses in international show jumping circuit and the star of the Zangersheide stud, owned by Ahlmann's partner Judy-Ann Melchior. Actually, 2021 was supposed to be a highlight in Dominator’s career: The Olympic Games in Tokyo were the goal and all planning had been focused on this. In 2020, Dominator's semen was frozen at Zangersheide so that he could concentrate fully on the sport this season. „Covering and competing at the same time is not optimal,“ says Ahlmann. "Either one or the other. Both together is just too much." Even more so when a stallion is in such demand as Dominator Z: 500 mares per year is not an exceptionally high number for the black stallion. That's why breeding and sport use have to be carefully planned. Christian Ahlmann was confident about the Olympics. "I had already got my hopes up for Tokyo. If he had been in his normal form, we certainly could have delivered a good result."
Sadly, prior to the Games Ahlmann noticed that his stallion was not jumping like he usually did. He didn't falter for long, but withdrew the stallion from the Olympic race and gave him a break. The stallion had indeed suffered a slight injury, which he was to cure in peace.Now he is sound again and Riesenbeck was the show Ahlmann had chosen for the stallion’s comeback: The conditions at Riesenbeck International are perfect for this. "Competitions are something else than the work at home. The horses lose strength when they haven't competed for a while." Rebuilding this strength and fitness is now Christian Ahlmann's priority with Dominator Z. After all, the stallion can do everything else. "He is incredibly capable and careful. But above all, he has something that you can't teach horses: Intelligence and will."
These were the ingredients that enabled Dominator Z to prevail against much older and more experienced colleagues at five-star level when he was only nine. By then, at the latest, the stallion's inner values, praised by Ahlmann, became obvious to everyone. "He had jumped to maybe 15, 20 competitions in his life. That's nothing compared to his colleagues." No wonder then, that Zangersheide Stud is having trouble meeting breeders' demand for the stallion. Especially since his first offspring - the oldest are now seven years old - show that Dominator also passes on his talent. This includes not only his quality at the jump, but also his rideability. He is already an "imposing personality," says Ahlmann.
source: Press Release - Ph.© Pauline V Hardenberg