WEC YH 2018 Slovakia

MADE in ITALY

Gelny (Madjani x Gelna), ridden by Al Abbar Mohd

Photos by Oreste Testa

OCTOBER 2018

www.sportendurance-evo.com

World Endurance Championship for Young Horses 2018

ŠAMORÍN in the focus of world attention again

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ince its foundation, a few years ago, the extraodinary sports center x-bionicÂŽ sphere has hosted the top world endurance events and other prestigious happenings. In just a short time frame, Mr. Mario Hoffmann was able to create a real Cathedral of Endurance in the heart of Europe, driven by his strong passion for horses and endurance riding.

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ollowing the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championship and the European Championship of the previous year, in 2018 x-bionic® sphere hosted the FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Horses.

46 binomials from 15 world countries met in Šamorín (Slovakia) on the 29th of September. The competition was for the 7 year old horses who were able to qualify for the CEI2* 120 km ride. Endurance people consider it one of the toughest and most delicate rides in the world because the horses are young, they must cover a distance of 120 km and it is usually their first long ride experience. In the past, the category was meant for both 7 and 8 year old horses, eventually age was reduced to 7.

This category requires expert riders and trainers who must and should be very careful throughout the ride. This is exactly where and when the career of a horse is moulded. Useless to say that the location is marvellous; as we made our way through the magnificent entrance we thought that this could have been the perfect venue for the WEG... why was it not so?

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Vets and Judges

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he international event began at 7 a.m., when the sun was still not shining over the Danube river. It ended at 5 p.m.

The track, which was mostly flat and overlooking the river, gifted assistant crews and participants with a magnificent show of galloping horses.

It was divided into 4 loops (36 km, 36 km, 30 km and 18 km) that crossed the villages of Hamuliakovo, Dunajská Lužná, Kyselica, Báč, Horný Bar and Trstená. The new Timing and GPS system debuted in Šamorín for the World Endurance Championship dedicated to young horses. T-Track worked peacefully, accurately and efficiently, carrying out a perfect job. To those who love statistics we communicate that 33 binomials finished the ride while 13 were eliminated.

The Ride

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The best condition to Gelny, the World Champion Young Horse 2018

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Silver medal WEC Yh Demonjoi Al Shaqab with Al Nuaimi Khalid Sanad - Qat.

70% of all the riders finished this tough challenge and proved to be careful and respectful of the horse, without pushing him uselessly.

At the top of the all – Gulf Countries podium stood GELNY (Madjani x Gelna), ridden

by Al Abbar Mohd. Ahmed Hassan. Al Nualmi Khalid Sanad with DEMONJOI AL SHAQAB (Ulm de Domenjoi x Lozere de Courbons) and Mohammad Atta Mohammad with AIZ SHAQAB (Jazz de Marjolaine x Orsane d’Angelique), both from Qatar, won silver and bronze medal, respectively.

Gelny was also the winner of the best condition title and had always run among the first 5 riders from the start. He finished at 22,33 km/h (average speed!).

The first European athlete to reach the finish line was the veteran Laurence Mosti with Baggio d’Armani at an average speed of 22 km/h.

A round of applause must be dedicated to the three local riders of the top 10: Dominika Kleinová with her horse VICTUS S, Lucia Supeková with J S Siete de Oro and Michaela Supeková with Ro Vedette, respectively 5th, 6th e 7th place.

After the ride, Miss Dominika, a 27 year old rider from Slovakia, declared: I had an excellent team who helped me throughout the entire race. This was the best result in my career”.

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Best european binomial 4rd place Laurent Mosti with Baggio d’Armani

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Šamorín and x-bionic® sphere

Bronze medal Aiz Shaqab with Mohammad Atta Mohammad P. - Qat.

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he small city of Šamorín takes its name from the local church Sancti Marie. According to the last census conducted in 2014 the total population is of 13.000 inhabitants.

It rises on the banks of the Danube river in a rural area, but today things are changing fast and Šamorín is becoming tourism oriented.

The foundation of the renowned and multi-purpose sports center x-bionic® sphere, is changing people’s point of view, especially the mind of young people. More and more people wear trainers... bikes are increasing and different sports are becoming a habit for all the inhabitants of Šamorín. Many sportsmen and women like to go to x-bionic® sphere also because it hosts many important sport events.

It is definitely a place to live at full-spectrum, perfect for families with children who can choose from a wide range of activities.

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Podium

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Mom and daughter Supekovรก, fly together to the finish line

Results