Hannes Ahlmann has won diverse medals at Youngster European Championships, but it was the first time he has competed in the Final of the German U25 of the Stiftung Deutscher Pferdesport, Prize of Family Müter. The premiere couldn’t have got off to a better start.

The 22-year-old Hannes Ahlmann from Schleswig-Holstein steered his Holstein-bred stallion Nerrado by Nekto to victory in the qualifier for the German U25 Trophy in fantastic style and at a rhythmic pace. Ultimately, the pair were almost three seconds faster than Franziska Müller with Cornado’s Queen, who have made it onto the winners’ rostrum several times here in Aachen. Ahlmann crossed the finish line in 69.73 seconds, Müller and the Rheinland-bred Cornado daughter took 72.65 seconds. Max Haunhorst and his just nine-year-old OS gelding, Chrismon by Christian finished third after jumping clear in 72.90 seconds. The latter had the opportunity to prepare his appearance at the Soers under the aegis of the Dutch national coach, Jos Lansink, in the scope of the Programme of Excellence of the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS.

Hannes Ahlmann has mostly notched up his major achievements to-date under the aegis of his father, Dirk Ahlmann, who himself rode for Germany at international level in the past. Being able to compete here in Aachen means a lot to him and of course the fact that he won straight off delighted him: “What a cool feeling! Competing for the first time and winning in Aachen, that is a cool statement!“ The feeling of riding into a stadium that holds 50,000 people is “indescribable”.

Tomorrow he wants to enjoy that feeling again. The Final of the German U25 of the Stiftung Deutscher Pferdesport, Prize of Family Müter begins at 2.15 p.m.