CHI Geneva 2014: Christian Ahlmann: “The Rolex Grand Slam unites the best shows in the world”

10 Dec 2014

A small boy is sitting on his horse, smiling, his parents stand next to him proudly. Many photos hang on the walls of the stately, yet cosy house in Marl, Germany. They all reflect the career and private life of the sportsman and family man, Christian Ahlmann. He has already accomplished a great deal over the past years, he has celebrated major victories in the most prestigious Grand Prix and at Championships. And yet he hadn’t been able to fulfil his own personal dream: Winning the Rolex Grand Prix in Aachen, the Major Show at the perhaps most famous showgrounds in the world. “I have been riding there for many, many years and it was very close a few times. But claiming this victory was the best thing I have ever experienced!” is how the German show-jumper recalls that magic moment in the summer.

Winning in Aachen also means that he has suddenly become part of something big: His personal Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping began on July 20^th. Then, a few weeks later, the disappointment at the next Major Show, the Spruce Meadows “Masters”: He picked up four faults with Codex One, which meant the sensation was over. But, Christian Ahlmann doesn’t dwell on it: He is at peace with himself and he stands behind his decision of leaving the World Equestrian Games in France earlier to try and achieve the best possible result in Canada.

For him there was no question about the fact that he would do his best to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Because the Rolex Grand Slam is of great importance to him: “It unites the three best shows in the world at the moment: Aachen, Spruce Meadows and Geneva.”

Ahlmann now has the chance to claim the “2 out of 3″ bonus at the CHI in Geneva: If he rides to victory in the concluding Rolex Grand Prix, he could secure himself a bonus of 250,000 Euros on top of the prize-money. The 39-year-old from Marl is optimistic, but also realistic: There is a chance of course, but it is only small. All of the top riders in the world will be in Geneva, among others the local hero and Olympic gold medallist, Steve Guerdat, the reigning World Champion Jeroen Dubbeldam and the current number one in the world rankings, Scott Brash. On December 14^th, each of them wants to ride out of the impressive Palexpo, the biggest indoor arena in the world, as the winner.

The otherwise always circumspect Christian Ahlmann, swarms: “The CHI Geneva is comparable with an outdoor show. The atmosphere is fantastic and it is nearly always sold-out. One of the best indoor events in the world!” He was number one in the world rankings from December 2012 until August 2013, he has been able to notch up diverse national and international victories over the past years. And now, at the end of 2014, he can take a further step in his career and write equestrian sport history: Claiming the victory in Geneva would be the perfect gift for his 40^th birthday on December 17^th.

Source: Rolex Grand Slam