Christian Ahlmann picked up an emotional win in Belgium ©Getty Images

German rider Christian Ahlmann won an emotional victory in the 1.45m CSI5* class at the Jumping Mechelen event in Belgium today.

Ahlmann's victory was particularly poignant as the class is in honour of the late Léon Melchior, the father of his Belgian show jumping partner Judy Ann Melchior.

Leon was the founder of the famous Zangersheide stud farm with Ahlmann taking the victory on eight-year-old  Zangershiede stallion Caribis Z.

They saw off 17 other horse and rider combinations on their way to success in the jump-off.

The competition was in honour of the late father of Ahlmann's partner, Judy Ann Melchior
The competition was in honour of the late father of Ahlmann's partner, Judy Ann Melchior ©Getty Images

Second place went to Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands on Emerald, who was only 0.4 sec slower than the eventual winner.

Italy's Lorenzo de Luca took third place on Balou de Coeur.

Elsewhere, a performance of the year prize was awarded to the Belgium Showjumping team after they captured the Europe Division One Nations Cup League title and also the overall final honours in Barcelona.

Coached by Dirk Demeersman, the team features Gudrun Patteet, Olivier Philippaerts, Judy Ann Melchior, Gregory Wathelet and Jos Lansink.