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Ahlmann on form ahead of GCT Grand Prix

Jul 20, 2012

Christian Ahlmann polished off another GCT victory with a devestatingly precise round on Lorena 111 sending out a strong signal ahead of tomorrow's Grand Prix of Chantilly.

The champion German rider made the big, difficult course look easy as he guided the 10-year-old bay mare around the 12 fences pulling off the winning time of 66.46 ahead of fast Frenchman Simon Delestre riding Whisper on 66.83. Ahlmann had a battle to keep Lorena contained as the horse was fresh around the challenging course which delivered only 9 clear rounds out of 43.

After the prize giving ceremony against the magnificent backdrop of the Grandes Ecuries in the grounds of the Chateau de Chantilly, Ahlmann said: "I have had the horse for four years already and has been really unlucky with injury but she jumped really good in this difficult ring. The ring is big and spooky for some horses. I am really, really happy with her, she did a great job here today. She is a really quick horse. I wanted to see how she feels so I took a little bit more risk from jump to jump. I can't complain."

Leading American rider McLain Ward will also be at the London Olympics and was in classic form today coming in third on Rothchild in 69.42. He said: "It is fantastic here. It is an incredible setting and the footing is excellent. It is my first time here and both horses were great today."

Click here for the total result list.

Source: Pressrelease from Global Champions Tour