I am in awe........

[dianeholmes]

of Maria Ponton from Spain who took the individual gold in Endurance at WEG yesterday. Her pony (yes pony) thrashed the rest at great speed on a difficult course but more astounding Maria had a baby SEVEN weeks ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I not sure I could sit down comfortably at that stage never mind ride 160kms (100 miles) in a day!!!

Team GB got all but one horse home to take 6th place in the team competition - individual placings still not available but no medals sadly. Still only 6 teams finished out of 23 starters - way to go team GB!!!!

 

[LauraWheeler]

Way to go team GB
And way to go Maria Ponton and her pony.

I used to do endurance with Lucy. Sadly we didn't start till she was in her late teens, But we still did rides of upto and inclu 80km at around 12 kmp and often getting a grade 1. Not bad for a 13.2hh welshie. I'll never forget when I first said about starting a woman I know said "your going to do endurance on THAT, You wouldn't think that would have enough stamina". Once at the second hold of an 80km the vets said how amazed they where Lucy was still fit to continu as they had elim loads of Arabs due to the heat and tough going. Lucy was still pulling my arms out and raring to go.
All just goes to show you don't have to have an arab to do endurance and to have a pony win the WEG is all the more proof.

 

[EnduroRider]

Maria and Nobby are now European Endurance Champions, World Endurance Champion and WEG Endurance Champions - impressive to say the least!

 

[Thisbe]

wow thats amazing