Questions & Answers with Christian Ahlmann

At this point in your career, what defines a successful season for you? Is it results, horse development, or something else?

CA: It depends a little bit on the season. I think it’s more or less a combination of everything. For sure, results are always very important – especially if you win a Grand Prix you really want to win, or a gold medal or championship. Those are the moments you remember and look back on as a successful season. But on the other hand, there is always development. Every day, every year, you need to keep building. You want to have two or three horses ready for 5* Grands Prix at the highest level, but you should never forget the base. You have to work every day to maintain that and to develop younger horses, so that in the future you again have horses ready for the big sport. So, it’s just as important to build that base as it is to win.

Looking at your top horses today, what qualities do they need to succeed consistently at the very highest level, especially in the Rolex Majors?

How do you manage the balance between developing younger horses and staying competitive at 5* level?

CA: It’s all about organisation within the team. You make a plan for your 5* horses – their goals, the important shows, and how to prepare them for those weekends. At the same time, you make a different plan for the younger horses. They need to compete regularly at smaller shows, and sometimes you bring them to big venues like Aachen to get used to the atmosphere. It’s very interesting to see how they react in those situations, and whether they improve and get used to everything around them. Jumping is their natural talent, that’s for sure, but there is much more to it at this level. They have to stay focused with the crowds, the noise and everything happening around them, and still keep the sport as the main point. Through that, you can start to see where it might go, and whether a horse could be one for the future.

Through your work with leading breeders, such as Zangersheide, how important is breeding in shaping the future of the sport, and what excites you about the next generation of horses?

CA: Breeding is the base of our sport – without breeding, there is no sport. It’s very, very important, and I think we should appreciate the work of breeders much more. It’s a lot of passion and hard work, and they don’t do it for the money. In the last 10 years, I’ve become more involved in breeding myself, and I really enjoy it. It’s interesting to see the horses grow, to train them, and to find the right stallion for your mares. You try to create the right combinations and hopefully produce horses that can go into the sport later. Seeing that development is something I really enjoy.

You’ve worked with many of your owners and team members for a long time. How does that stability influence your results?

CA: Without a good team, there is no success. The rider is only one part of the whole picture. It starts with the owners and includes the grooms, home riders, farriers, vets – everyone involved. Everybody has to give one hundred per cent to be successful at the highest level. I’ve been working with more or less the same team for many years, and I trust them completely. We build horses together and organise everything around the sport, and I’m very thankful for all the support, because without it, success is not possible. Elsa, my show groom, has also been with me for more than 10 years now. She travels everywhere with the horses and takes care of them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That is so important – for the horses, for the team, for everything – and she does a great job.

What makes the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping so uniquely challenging?

CA: The shows in the Grand Slam are very special – they are the best shows in the world, with a lot of history. The best horse-and-rider combinations compete in these Majors every year, so it’s extremely difficult to win. That’s why, if you do win, it has a very big value.

Having already won the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen in 2014, how does that experience shape your motivation when you return?

CA: When you’ve had special success somewhere, you always think back to those moments – especially at Aachen. For German riders, it’s the show you really want to win. Riding in that stadium in front of 40,000 people and winning the Rolex Grand Prix is something you never forget. It’s the reward for all the work you and your team put in. When the show comes around again, those are the moments you think about – and you hope you can do it again.

How have both success and setbacks shaped your mindset at this stage of your career?

CA: When you’ve been in the sport for many years, you understand that there are always ups and downs. Every day can be different, especially working with horses. You have to work step by step towards your goals and never expect success to just happen. It’s always about hard work and consistency. At the same time, you need motivation, but not only fixed goals – you also need to see the improvement along the way. Compared to other sports, like horseracing, where a good rider with the best horse might win eight out of 10 times, our sport is much more complex. There are many combinations who can win on the same day, and small details can make a big difference. It’s not just about going as fast as possible – everything has to come together at the right moment. That’s why you have to appreciate the good days, when everything goes in the right direction, because it can change very quickly.

CHIO Aachen holds special significance for you – what are your expectations and ambitions heading into TSCHIO 2026? 

CA: I’m very motivated. Aachen is always our main show of the year. This year I have two stallions in good shape – Dourkhan [Hero Z], who did very well there last year, and Untouched. Both are very talented horses for the future. We are working towards this event, and hopefully we will be ready for that weekend.

After everything you’ve achieved in the sport, what still motivates you to compete pushing at the highest level?

CA: I’m a big fan of the sport and of the horses. I love riding, and I still feel that I can compete at this level, with horses that are ready for these classes. I want to stay competitive and keep pushing in the sport. At the same time, I would like my children to maybe join me in the future, so we can share that together. Even later, I will always stay connected to the sport – whether as a rider, breeder, dealer or in another role. I love being part of this community, and I always will.

Source: Press Release from Rolex Grand Slam

Photo: © Stefan Lafrentz

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