It was a repeat victory for reigning endurance world champion Maria Alvarez Ponton as she crossed the finish line first at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Alvarez Ponton rode Nobby, a 15-year-old bay purebred Arabian. Second went to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and third to Sheikh Hamdan Mohd Al Maktoum, both of the United Arab Emirates.
The first American finisher was Heather Reynolds with her gelding Ssamiam who finished nose to nose with Jean-Phillippe Frances. Reynolds managed to keep the smallest of leads over Frances to finish fourth. Early reports from the finish line state that Ssamiam did not pass the final vet check, leaving only U.S. individual rider Deborah Reich still standing for the Americans.
Unofficial team standings put endurance powerhouse UAE in first place with France and Germany in second and third, respectively. These results will also be finalized once the vet checks have been completed. Check horseillustrated.com for updated results.
Three American riders were pulled from competition at vet checks during the race. Jan Worthington and Golden Lightning were stopped at the third vet check due to lameness. Lindsay Graham and Monk were also pulled after the third loop. Syrocco Harmony with owner/rider Meg Sleeper was pulled at a later vet check, leaving only Reynolds and Reich. Reich was competing as an individual, and with Reynold’s disqualification at the final vet check, the U.S. is posting no scores for medal contention.
Best condition judging will take place on the morning of September 27 and awards for endurance will be presented in the main stadium (now dubbed the Rolex Stadium) during dressage competition later that day.
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Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky.Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.
Love the Arabs!!
It was a great day for an endurance race as the temperatures were in the 60's.
Aw, I wish the American riders could have passed the vet checks..oh well.
so happy for Maria Alvarez Ponton and her horse Nobby. Arabians are just so amazing in Endurance
Congrats to all who won.
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