Virginie ATGER (FRA) on CHAM DE LA PALUD © FEI/Massimo Argenziano
For the first time in the history of the FEI Endurance World Championships, teams from China and Malaysia secured a spot on the podium, taking second and third places, respectively, while host nation France took gold.
The individual medals went to Melody Théolissat (France) riding Yalla de Jalima (bronze), Saeed Ahmad Jaber Abdulla Al Harbi (United Arab Emirates) with Castlebar Cadabra (silver), and HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Bahrain) with Everest la Majorie (gold). HH Sheik Nasser retained his world title, which he won at the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championship in Butheeb (UAE) with his horse Darco la Majorie.
“I intended to ride Darco here in Monpazier, but he got a slight injury,” the champion said the day after the competition. Instead, he decided to ride Darco’s half-brother, Everest la Majorie. This 10-year-old gelding finished second at last year’s test event in Monpazier, just 25 seconds behind Darco. “I knew Everest was also a top-level horse, but I didn’t expect us to win.”
When asked what the public can expect from him at the next FEI Endurance World Championship in Al Ula (2026), he replied with a spontaneous laugh: “Doing this a third time?”
The team world title stayed with France as the French team successfully defended their top position they claimed in Butheeb in 2023. Ahead of the competition, national coach Jean-Michel Grimal admitted he had a tough time selecting his final team of five from the seven rider-horse combinations available. “They’re all good, and the horses are in perfect condition. There’s no reason to favour one combination over another. But only five can compete, so I had to choose. I based my decision on instinct. On Saturday night, we’ll see if my instinct was right.”
The rest is history: his instinct was rewarded with a gold medal. “It’s been a great sports summer. First the Olympic Games in Paris, with lots of medals for France (fifth place in the medal table) and then the FEI Endurance World Championship in Monpazier, with gold for our team and bronze for Melody Théolissat with Yalla de Jalima.”
China’s performance was a surprising highlight, considering this year marked only the second time the country had fielded a team at the FEI Endurance World Championship. Among the team were father Bo Sui and daughter Jiahe Sui. At 15 years old, Jiahe was the youngest competitor at this year’s Championship. “Incredible” and “never expected,” she said after their victory. “Our goal as a team was simply to finish the ride and try to be in the top five, so securing second place is fantastic!”
The ride, which started at 5:30 am, had a challenging beginning for the young rider. “It was still dark, and it was pouring rain. All the horses were steaming. Because of the mist and the heavy rain, I couldn’t see anything except the rider in front of me. I completely trusted my horse (Eiwa de Bozouls), and she did brilliantly.”
Jiahe’s love for equestrian sport runs in the family; her father is a true horseman. He owns a stable in China with 70 Arabian horses and was the first Chinese rider to complete the world-famous Tevis Cup Endurance ride in the United States back in 2018. He began his equestrian career with western riding. “But I prefer Endurance because the rides are longer, which means I can spend even more time with my horse. From western riding, I’ve learned how to relieve my horse with the correct posture and seat.”
Malaysia was determined to reach the podium, but their ride didn’t start as planned. Rider Tengku Muhammad Syukri Tengku Mahmood said, “We wanted to follow the French team, but … the rain pouring down and the mud on the ground … it was impossible for us to keep up with France. So, we decided to ride at a slower pace.” That approach earned the team a well-deserved bronze.
by Mirjam van Huet MCM Tekst
