HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain has proudly retained his FEI Endurance World Championship title, clinching Individual gold aboard Everest la Marjorie, a 10-year-old grey gelding and half-brother to his reigning World champion mount.
In a dazzling display of equestrian prowess, France captured Team gold amidst the cheers of a jubilant home crowd in Monpazier, successfully defending their title. China and Malaysia secured the silver and bronze positions, rounding out the prestigious Team podium.
“Well, I’m over the moon, I don’t have any words to describe this … coming here as a World champion is a big burden … defending and winning is difficult. I’m thankful for my team, my family, and everyone for helping me. It was a battle, the weather, the terrain, and we’ve done it with heart,” said Shaikh Nasser after his win.
Saeed Ahmad Alharabi of the UAE, riding Castlebar Cadabra, secured the Individual silver medal. The stadium erupted in cheers as Melody Theolissat of France and her mount, Yalla de Jalima, crossed the finish line to claim the Individual bronze.
Festive Atmosphere
Intense competition marked the determination of the Team medals. France showcased exceptional skill, with Virgine Atger finishing fourth on Cham de la Palud and Clementine Chaud securing ninth on Doha D’Artagnan AA, leading the team to gold. The victory ignited a festive and celebratory atmosphere among the enthusiastic crowds at the Hippodrome.
The top 10 individual finishers included Salem Malhoof Al Kitbi (UAE) with Hadeer in fifth, Sabrina Arnold (GER) on Easy el Boheira in sixth, Marijke Visser (NED) and Chaitana des Chaises in seventh, Felipe de Azevado Morgulis (BRA) with Al Saida Larzac in eighth, and Julien LaFaure (FRA) on Fazah Cabirat in tenth.
Consistent performances earned China and Malaysia the silver and bronze medals, respectively. China’s team comprised Jiahe Sui on Eiwa de Bozouls, Zhiqiang Wang with AS Embrujo, and Bo Sui on Venecia CID. Malaysia’s squad included Mohd Bulkhari Rozali on Bushra Albidayer, Muhammad Aizad Mohd Riduan on Emir de Flauzins, and Tengku Muhammad Syukri on Farouk du Cavallon.
Several teams from the UAE, Bahrain, Spain, Italy, and Portugal aimed for a team medal but faced eliminations.
Challenging Conditions
The event began at 5:30 a.m. amid challenging conditions, including heavy rain and thunderstorms. Athletes navigated with headlamps and traveled cautiously during the first loop. The adverse weather conditions made the course more demanding, with deep footing in certain areas. Later in the day, the sun emerged over the picturesque countryside.
Endurance is a team sport, with dedicated support for each horse and rider combination. Crews and team veterinarians provided meticulous care for the horses throughout the course, during veterinary inspections, rest periods after each of the five loops, and at the finish line.
Looking ahead, the next major endurance events are the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses and the FEI Endurance European Championship for Young Riders and Juniors, both scheduled to take place in Arborea, Italy, later this month.
