Aachen, Germany: France came up with a solid performance to take the team gold at the endurance championship of the World Equestrian Games, currently under way here.
After Spanish rider Miguel Villa Ubach took the individual gold in Monday's 160km competition, the two French riders who won silver and bronze helped the French extend their domination of the team event.
France, who had won the team gold at the 2002 WEG in Jerez, Spain, finished strongly again with four of their riders in the top eight despite the harsh weather conditions. Switzerland finished surprise silver medallists while Portugal took the team bronze.
The President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, distributed the medals to the individual and team winners at an impressive ceremony yesterday.
Saeed Al Tayer, representing sponsors Dubai Equestrian Club, also gave away mementoes to the winning riders.
Princess Alia Bint Al Hussain, President of the Jordanian Equestrian Federation, awarded the Best Conditioned Horse award to French rider Pascale Dietsch whose horse Hifrane du Barthas was the fittest after the finish.
The two-week FEI World Equestrian Games continue with competitions in show-jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, vaulting and reining.
The UAE's Mohammad Al Kumaiti will be competing in the show-jumping event.
Endurance ride winner Miguel Vila Ubach, aboard the grey Arabian gelding Hungares, said he never expected to win. "I knew we were good, but I don't believe I'm here today," he said at the post ride press conference. "I was a European Champion back in 1999 and I've been dreaming of another title ever since but I'd never have thought it would be this one."
The pair was in 47th position after the fourth vet gate, but the last 13km loop turned out to be all theirs. "I knew my horse could fly over the last bit. We rode out of the vet gate, I saw the French girls and decided to follow them as I was sure they would get good placings. The horse felt so strong that we found ourselves quite up front. And then I felt we could make it and decided to just go for it."
For silver medallist Virginie Atger the visit to the podium was all the more sweet as her mother had won the gold at the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague.
She said it was the French spirit which paved the way for her triumph. "We started slowly from behind all together as a team. And we made our way forward as a team and it has paid off," said Virginie, whose mother Benedicte had also tasted international success.
Twenty-four-year-old Elodie Le Labourier said she was happy for her horse that was 16 and would be retiring after this fantastic display. "He was wonderful today. I am going to retire him after this and I am very happy that he finished his competition career on such a fabulous note," said bronze winner Elodie whose previous best was the fourth-place finish in the 2005 FEI European Championship.
A total of 65 riders completed the ride out of the 159 who started. The UAE's Sultan Bin Sulayem's eighth-place finish was nullified after an error on the course. "With the rain making conditions worse and the light also fading in the forest areas, it was possible for anyone to make a mistake," said FEI's Ian Williams, commenting on Bin Sulayem's bad luck.
Results
1. Migeul Villa Ubach-Spain-(Hungares) 9hrs 12 mins 27 secs
2. Virginie Atger-France-(Kangoo d'Aurabelle) 9:16:13;
3. Elodie Le Labourier-France-(Sangho'Limousian) 9:16:14;
4. Jaume Punti Dachs-Spain-(Elvis HB) 9:22.07;
5. Philippe Benoit-France-(Akim du Boulve) 9:24.30;
6. Joao Raposa-Portugal-(Sultao) 9:24.31;
7. Shane Gray Dougan-New Zealand-(Vigar Riffal) 9:30:38;
8.Sultan Bin Sulayem-UAE-(Galagolan du Desert) 9:30.42
9. Pascale Dietsch-France-(Hifrane du Barthas) 9:30.44
10. Shaikh Duaij Bin Salman Al Khalifa-Bahrain-(Shar Rushkin) 9:34.00
