Before a packed crowd of 40,000 people, Ahlmann rode his stallion Codex One, who has only recently returned following a long injury, to victory. He was one of only five riders from 15 first-round clears who produced double clears over a challenging Frank Rothenberger-designed course.

The jump-off comprised three German riders – Ahlmann, Marcus Ehning and Daniel Deusser and two from the USA, Kent Farrington and Lauren Hough.