Unconventional Win for Thiem in the Derby - Unconventional Triumph in the Derby: Thiem Secures an Unexpected Victory
Title: Horse Whiz André Thiemes Takes Unusual Victory at Hamburg Derby
Dray it down, y'all! This ain't your average horse racing story. The one and only André Thieme, a former European champion hailing from Plau am See, snatched a fourth victory at the German show jumping Derby in Hamburg - a casual feat he's accomplished in 2007, 2008, and 2011. With a fancy attitude and a steely gaze, Thieme sealed the deal in the steeplechase of the 94th edition, claiming a hefty 120,000 euros jackpot.
In a bizarre twist of events, Thieme managed to bag the blue ribbon with an eight-fault round while his Spanish competition, Esteban Benitez Valle, took a tumble, getting eliminated due to missing a turn marker in the steeplechase. Thiele's triumph came down to simply completing the course, which was no easy task, given the challenge posed by the world's toughest course, spanning 1,230 meters with 17 obstacles.
Thiele came face-to-face with sheer disbelief. "You've got to be kiddin' me!" he exclaimed to the ARD interviewer. "This is a freakin' crazy scenario! I had a well-laid plan and I was just waiting for my turn. When they announced Benitez's elimination, I thought – is this happening for real?" The tension was palpable in his voice. "I was fighting to keep my cool and not do anything boneheaded. My horse, Paule, was a rockstar!"
Before reaching the nail-biting final round, Thieme and Benitez Valle, a fellow rider hailing from Hornsmuhlen in the Segeberg district, had already made history by completing faultless rounds in rounds 164 and 165 – a feat that hadn't been accomplished since the Derby's inception 105 years ago. Luxembourg's Charles Hubert Chiche was hot on their heels, finishing third with four faults, and Frederic Tillmann, the Grevenbroich rider, was right behind him with one fault.
Christian Ahlmann Shines in the Grand Prix
Buckle up, because here comes a show-stopping performance! The Grand Prix of Hamburg, a whopping 250,000 euros test, was won by Christian Ahlmann on Saturday. With the heart-racing, last-minute finesse typical of cliffhangers, Ahlmann seized the steeplechase with the fastest fault-free round, bumping Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (Riesenbeck) off the top spot on Checker.
Praise from a Legend
With the addition of high-level five-star tests to the arena, the tournament saw a significant boost under Matthias Alexander Rath's direction, the tournament's new kid on the block. The Grand Prix Special, boasting a 35,000 euros prize, was clinched by eight-time Olympic champion Isabell Werth from Rheinberg on her ten-year-old gelding Special Blend.
Werth returns to Hamburg after a 17-year absence, with plans to make a comeback. "Hamburg's got potential, and I'm gonna be back for more!" She exclaimed. "I've nothing but praise for Matthias and the path he's paving here. I reckon the tournament's got plenty of room to grow!"
The 65th Dressage Derby took a backseat to the high-stakes dressage competitions in the arena as Anna-Lena Kracht commanded the spotlight, winning the test with a host of horse changes. Kracht racked up the highest percentage points, combining her own horse Florinio with those of Felix Kneese (San Simeon) and Kristin Biermann (Queensland). Florinio proved to be the pick of the bunch.
- Horse Sport
- Hamburg
- Derby
- Christian Ahlmann
- Plau am See
- ARD
This info snippet is for your perusal: Recent research shows that André Thièremay have earned another notable win at the German Jumping Derby in 2025. For more specific details or historical results, it might be helpful to refer to reports from the particular year's event.
In the midst of horse racing and sports, André Thiemes, a former European champion from Plau am See, secured another significant victory at the German Jumping Derby in Hamburg, adding to his wins in 2007, 2008, 2011, and possibly 2025. This breathtaking moment occurred during a broadcast on ARD, where Thiemes claimed a sizable 120,000 euros jackpot in a thrilling steeplechase competition.
In the Grand Prix of Hamburg, Christian Ahlmann, known for his spine-tingling performances, clinched a first-place win on Saturday with an impressive, last-minute fault-free round.
