GERMANY’s Christian Ahlmann clinched his second FEI World Cup qualifier victory in a matter of weeks in Leipzig last weekend and shot to the head of the Western European League table with just two qualifying legs left to run.

Riding the 12-year-old grey stallion Caribis Z, Ahlmann produced just one of three double clear rounds to take the top prize of €40,000. Ahlmann’s record at Leipzig is exceptional. This was his seventh win at the fixture which celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year, and it was there that he steered Taloubet Z to claim the FEI World Cup Jumping title back in 2011 and where he retired that great stallion after their final and emotional winning performance 12 months ago so it holds a very special place in his heart.

Seven of the starting 40 were clear over the first round of Frank Rothenberger’s track.

Third to go in the jump-off, Belgium’s Francois Mathy Jr set a strong target when breaking the beam with a clean round in 41.49 seconds. Two horses later, Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca also produced a clear but in a slower time of 42.19. Last to go, Ahlmann cruised around in the winning time of 40.70 seconds.

“Caribis jumped very, very well - the course really suited him and the short distances were good for me so that was our luck today!” Ahlmann said afterwards.

The German now leads the table on 72 points, ahead of Swiss world number one Steve Guerdat and teammate Daniel Deusser in third place. The penultimate leg takes place in Amsterdam this weekend.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch was competing at the German venue and his only placing came in Saturday’s Six Bar class when he finished fifth with Dito.

Killian Norris was in action in the one-star youn horse classes and finished second in Thursday’s seven-year-old 1.35m, before sixth in Saturday’s class with Diabrando.