CHIO AACHEN 2025 DEBUTANT NINA MALLEVAEY WINS THE ALLIANZ-PRIZE CLASS
The Allianz-Prize class is a small Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen. The field of competitors was correspondingly high-class. An aspiring young French showjumper rode to victory and fulfilled her lifelong dream.
As the last to go in the winning round of the Allianz-Prize class, the 25-year-old Nina Mallevaey had already examined the rides of her fellow competitors and left them trailing behind. She secured victory with her 10-year-old Irish mare, My Clementine, in a speedy time of 50.59 seconds. Second place went to Irish Olympic rider Shane Sweetnam with his 9-year-old Zangersheide-bred gelding, Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (51.25 seconds). The Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup winner of Thursday, McLain Ward, was delighted to come third with High Star Hero (53.02 seconds). René Dittmer and Cody auf Platz were the best German pair in fourth place (55.02 seconds).
“Winning this was fantastic,” beamed Nina Mallevaey. She thanked, first and foremost, her mare: “She is super-fast, super-careful, and so smart! She did everything right today.” It is the first time she is competing at the CHIO Aachen. She said, “It has been my dream for ages to compete here. I really like the atmosphere. I love it here; I love when you feel all the people so close. It makes me want to ride even better. It is just so amazing.”
Nina Mallevaey may only be 25 years old, but even her older fellow competitors obviously know what to expect from her. Asked if he was a little disappointed at coming second, Shane Sweetnam answered, “I knew with Nina coming up, it would be hard. Nina has a very fast horse. They have won a lot of classes. It is an Irish horse too, so that makes it easier for me to take.” Then he explained, “My horse is still quite green at this level. He has learned a lot, and this is the pinnacle of the sport, so I am very pleased with my ride. He is a very quick horse, so I think his day will come!” McLain Ward confirmed Sweetnam’s assessment of the winning pair. “Nina was difficult to beat today!”
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Full results here