In 2017 Ahlmann and Deusser refused to sign a contract from their national federation, immediately the reason why nor Deusser, nor Ahlmann have represented Germany in the last year at any FEI Nations Cup events.
"The perfect solution would be to reach an accord between us and the federation," states Deusser "I am really attached to the German show jumping squad. However if we don't reach an accord I will become a Belgian rider. I'm already partially Belgian."