Jumping: Helsinki: Rolex World Cup: Germany's Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z Takes Their Second Successive Rolex World Cup Qualifer - By Nan Rawlins

Christian Ahlmann (GER) riding Taloubet Z to their second World Cup (FEI).

Germany's Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z showed their world class mettle by taking their second Rolex World Cup Qualifier in as many weeks.  After taking last week's Rolex Qualifier in OsloThe seemingly invincible pair moved on to Helsinki, taking both the Grand Prix and the World Cup Qualifier.


Stopping the Rolex Clock at 34.56, Ahlmann and Taloubet Z beat Germany's Phillip Weishaupt and Catoki's time of 35.13.  Holland's Leon Thijssen and Tyson finished their clear round in third place with a time of 34.40.  The top three posted the only double clears.

Ahlmann was full of praise for Leon and Judy-Ann Melchior's spectacular 10 year-old bay Dutch stallion: "Taloubet Z is really an incredible horse. There were lots of turns and with his scope I was able to turn very short without having to worry. I did not have to take all the risks and luckily it was enough today, even though I did not expect to win today.

Ahlmann went on "The horse is getting better and better all the time and he is able to jump anything and everything. We understand each other completely. After these two successful shows he now takes a small break from showing."

Philipp Weishaupt (GER) riding Catoki take 2nd place. (FEI)

 Fellow German Philip Weishaupt was not happy to be second. "It is good that we went clear but got beaten by one rider and that is one too many. I really wanted that Rolex watch," he said.

Leon Thussen (NED) riding Tyson 3rd place. (FEI)

Finland´s number top rider, Nina Fagerström and Talent acquired four faults in the jump-off taking seventh place.

Said the home crowd favorite of the competition, "When I crossed the finishing line I felt almost like I had won it, even though the last fence fell. It was just one of those light touches with no apparent reason. We just did not have that last little bit of luck today."

Fagerström says she plans to continue her World Cup season, moving on to Verona, Geneva and Mechelen.

Loca Favorite Nina Fagerstrom (FIN) riding Talent was the  Best Finnish Rider (7th place). (FEI

After two qualifiers Christan Ahlman has 40 Rolex World Cup points, Leon Thjissen  27 and Philipp Weishaupt 24 points. Nina Fagerström shares tenth place with Marco Kutscher on 13 points.

The 26th Helsinki International Horse Show broke all previous attendance records including Saturday's Grand Prix  which was enjoyed by more than 8000 enthusiastic spectators.

Rolex FEI World Cup® 2010/2011

Rolex Western European League 160cm, Table A with one Jump Off. Placings 10 Starts 39:
1) Christian Ahlmann / Taloubet Z GER 0-0/34,56
2) Philipp Weishaupt / Catoki GER  0-0/35,13
3) Leon Thijssen / Tyson NED 0-0/35,40
4) Julien Epaillard / Mister Davier FRA 0-4/34,79
5) Malin Baryard-Johnsson / H&M Tornesch 1042  SWE  0-4/35,32
6) Wout-Jan Van Der Schans / Eurocommerce Seoul NED 0-4/35,83
7) Nina Fagerström / Talent FIN 0-4/35,87
8) Pius Schwizer / Nobless M SUI  0-4/36,46
9) Kevin Staut / Banda De Hus FRA 0-4/36,51
10) Lars Nieberg / Levito GER  0-4/37,57

 

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