The Spanish rider Miquel Vila Ubach (ESP), 33, aboard the grey Arabian gelding Hungares, won the Individual world title in Endurance. Two young French ladies join him on the podium: Virginie Atger, 22, on Kangoo d’Aurabelle in silver and Elodie Le Labourier, 24, on Sangho’Limousian in bronze. This is the first time since the FEI World Endurance Championships began in 1986 that a Spanish rider wins the supreme title.
This definitely was an emotional victory. After 160 km in six loops and a riding time of 9 hours 12 min 27 seconds, the winning pair entered the main stadium to cross the finishing line under torrential downpour. The crowd cheered loudly the new World Champion and the tears of rider and crew were streaming down with the rain drops.
Silver medallist Virginie Atger (riding time 9:16:13) praised the great spirit of the French team. “We started slowly from behind all together as a team. And we made our way forward as a team and it has paid off.” Currently fourth on the FEI World Endurance Riders’ Rankings, Virginie Atger definitely has Endurance under her skin. Her mother, Bénédicte Atger, was on the gold medal winning French team at the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague.
Elodie Le Labourier (riding time 9:16:14) paid a special tribute to her 16-year old Arabian grey gelding. “He was wonderful today. I am going to retire him after this and I am very happy that he finishes his competition career on such a fabulous win.” Elodie, who is also member of the French team, has gradually made her way to the top level placing seventh individually in the 2002 FEI WEG and fourth in the 2005 FEI European Championship.
159 riders from 41 nations started the competition which makes the 2006 FEI World Endurance Championship in Aachen the largest international event to date. The course, running through Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium, attracted some 20,000 spectators proving the increasing interest taken in the Endurance discipline.
World Equestrian Games – Aachen
Endurance Individual Results (21.08.06)
1. Miguel Vila Ubach (ESP) / Hungares – 9:12:27
2. Viriginie Atger (FRA) / Kangoo d’Aurabelle – 9:16:13
3. Elodie Le Labourier (FRA) / Sangho’Limousian – 9:16:14
4. Jaume Punti Dachs (ESP) / Elvis HB – 9:22:07
5. Philippe Benoit (FRA) / Akim du Boulve – 9:24:30
6. Joao Raposo (POR) / Sultao – 9:24:31
7. Valerie Ceunik (BEL) / Kouros des Iviers – 9:27:39
8. Shane Gray Dougan (NZL) / Vigar Riffal – 9:30:38
9. Sultan Ahmad Sultan bin Sulayem (UAE) – 9:30:42
10. Pascale Dietsh (FRA) / Hifrane du Barthas – 9:30:44
Team Results
1. France – total riding time 28:11:27
2. Switzerland – 29:57:20
3. Portugal – 30:38:32