GERMANY’s Christian Ahlmann galloped to his third victory of the season at the eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup at Mechelen in Belgium last Wednesday. The competition came down to a 10-way decider against the clock, and, third-last into the arena, the 40-year-old rider and his brilliant 15-year-old stallion Taloubet Z produced another of their trademark thrillers to seal the result in style.

Belgian riders filled three of the top four placings and five of the top 10 slots in front of their home fans. Niels Bruynseels threw down an extraordinary jump-off performance with the nine-year-old Cas De Liberte to claim runner-up position, while Jerome Guery lined up third with Papillon Z. Jos Verlooy has rocketed up to second spot in the league standings after finishing fourth with his nine-year-old gelding, Sunshine.