Dominic Thiem clinches an unexpected win in the Vienna Derby - Dominic Thiem Claims Unconventional Victory in Derby Duel
Triumphant Ride: Thieme's Unconventional Derby Victory in Hamburg
(Saddle up for a tantalizing tale of horse sport drama!)
In a surprising turn of events, European champion André Thieme bagged his fourth victory in the German show jumping Derby in Hamburg — an event he first won back in 2007, 2008, and 2011 — establishing himself as a living legend in this esteemed equestrian classic. At 50, and hailing from Plau am See, Thieme dominated the 94th edition on none other than Paule, triumphing in the steeplechase with merely eight penalty points.
Eliminated from competition was Spanish rider Esteban Benitez Valle, who, while riding C the Stars, failed to clear a crucial fence. With Thieme being the only rider to reach the deciding round alongside Valle, it was merely a matter of completing the course for the 50-year-old Mecklenburg native to seize the blue ribbon.
In an interview with Germany's ARD, Thieme expressed shock: "Can this be true?"
"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine such a scenario," Thieme shared with ARD. "I'd prepared a solid strategy. When the announcer said he was eliminated for missing a fence, I couldn't believe it. I was tempted to ask, 'How? Really? Is this true?' I was utterly taken aback. The tension had dissipated, and I just thought, 'Don't let up now, Thieme, and don't mess this up.' But Paule didn't disappoint."
Prior to the steeplechase, both Thieme and Valle had executed flawless rounds during the 105-year history of the Derby on the world's toughest course, which spanned an arduous 1,230 meters with 17 obstacles. The bronze medal went to Luxembourg newcomer Charles Hubert Chiche on Andaine du Thalie, who incurred four penalty points. Chiche's speed also surpassed that of Frederic Tillmann (Grevenbroich) on Comanche, another rider with one knockdown.
Ahlmann Triumphant: Grand Prix Win
The week's most well-endowed test, the Hamburg Grand Prix worth 250,000 euros, was claimed by Christian Ahlmann on Saturday. Astonishingly, Ahlmann, aged 50 and from Marl, surpassed Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (Riesenbeck) with Checker by achieving the fastest clear round with his ten-year-old stallion, Dourkhan Hero[1][2][3].
High Praise from a Legend
At tournament director Matthias Alexander Rath's inaugural event, dressage saw a notable upgrade. For the first time, top-tier five-star tests were included in the arena.
In the event's premier, eight-time Olympic champion Isabell Werth from Rheinberg reigned supreme on her ten-year-old gelding Special Blend. She edged out two-time team Olympic champion Ingrid Klimke from Münster on Vayron.
Werth made her return to Hamburg after a seventeen-year hiatus. "You'll be seeing more of me here," she declared. "I'm confident that Matthias is destined for success in Hamburg, and that this tournament truly has the potential to escalate the growth and stature of dressage."
The 65th Dressage Derby took a bit of a backseat to the high-caliber dressage competitions in the arena. Anna-Lena Kracht clinched the victory with multiple horse changes, earning the highest percentage points alongside the horses of her fellow competitors, Felix Kneese (San Simeon) and Kristin Biermann (Queensland). Florinio, Kracht's own horse, was the standout mount[4].
- Sport Horses
- Germany
- Derby
- Hamburg
- Christian Ahlmann
- Plau am See
- Stars
- ARD
- Show Jumping
- Proust
- Christian Thieme, hailing from Plau am See in Germany, triumphed in the horse-racing event, the Derby in Hamburg, and became a living legend by securing his fourth victory on Paule, surpassing the competition with just eight penalty points.
- In a follow-up event, the Grand Prix in Hamburg, sports celebrity Christian Ahlmann, also from Germany, emerged victorious on his stallion Dourkhan Hero, outperforming Olympic champion Christian Kukuk, showcasing that sports horses in Germany continue to dominate the equestrian scene in the city of Hamburg.
