Well, well, well, quelle surprise, the French medalled. And not only did they take home team Gold but they also secured the individual Bronze medal in Melody Theolissat 👏
Ahead of the competition, French Chef d'Equipe, 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." Well it was a good job he followed his gut!
As anticipated, the French riders executed an absolutely stunning tactical race. While there might have been a home advantage, with most of the team having previously competed at Monpazier, no one could have predicted the torrential rain. And boy, did it rain! We experienced a thunderstorm like no other. It's a mystery how there weren't any serious injuries to horses or riders on that first loop.
But what happened to Spain? Italy? Portugal? even Brazil? Well, heavy eliminations for all of these countries meant they didn't have the required three completions to be considered for a medal. In fact, Spain only secured 1 finisher in Angel Soy Coll for 13th place, Italy had no finishers at all, Portugal and Brazil both had 2 finishers.
No one could have predicted that China and Malaysia would secure the next two team positions. I certainly didn't! Here was my predictive blog: Which country will win a team medal in Monpazier?
The French Team
YALLA DE JALIMA is owned by Jean-Claude Guillaume but has been trained by 35 year old Melody Theolissat since 2021. By the stallion DJEVAR DES GRAVES and out of the mare PIESZCZOCHA (by PIRUET), YALLA DE JALIMA has a notable pedigree.
Melody has competed in nearly 300 FEI endurance competitions. She has represented France three times before at the Europeans in Ermelo 2023 and Pisa 2021 riding KAIS DE JALIMA who finished 4th and 7th respectively and also in the Europeans in 2013 finishing 5th with AZELLE DE JALIMA. On all three occasions, Melody secured a team medal for France: two Golds and a Silver. This was her first Senior World Championship.
Melody Theolissat & the 10-year-old gelding, YALLA DE JALIMA, finished in 2nd place earlier this year just 2 second behind fellow team member, Virginie Atger at the 160km event in Saumur.
At WEC, Virginie was just outside of the individual medals finishing only 15 seconds behind Melody. CHAM DE LA PALUD crossed the finish line looking fresh but couldn't compare with YALLA DE JALIMA who flat out galloped from arrival onto the race course and didn't let up until she had overtaken Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof AL KITBI (UAE) who would have otherwise crossed the line in 3rd place. As it happens, Virginie was also able to overtake the Emirates rider to secure her 4th position.
Unsurprisingly, Melody had the fasted last loop of all the competitors with an average speed of 21.4 kmph and despite the sprint finish, still managed to present to the final vetting in less than 13 mins for a final pulse of 56 bpm. Her fastest recovery was an impressive 01:37.
The 12yr old gelding, CHAM DE LA PALUD ridden by Virginie ATGER exclusively since 2020, has completed 160kms at speed at both Saumur (19.25 kmph) earlier this year and the tough 2-day 90+90 at Santa Susana (18.26 kmph) in 2021. Virgine was unlucky in the test event at Monpazier in 2023 but proved that this was just a blip in their otherwise outstanding career. The horse's average speed over all FEI competitions is 17.38 kmph and has never failed a ride. Just RET from 2 competitions.
CHAM DE LA PALUD has been trained by Angel LAZES since 2021 (who himself competed in the World Championships the last time they were in France at Compiegne in 2000 and finished in 13th place. On the same horse, Angel also finished 5th in the Europeans the following year in Castiglione del Lago which is also the host to the 2025 European Championships for Seniors). CHAM DE LA PALUD is owned by Renaldo SAPONE. He is by the stallion, BEDOUIN DE PIBOUL who has also sired notable endurance horses.
Virginie put in the second best final loop speed with an average speed of 21.19 kmph making her final average an impressive 18.21kmph. CHAM DE LA PALUD's best recovery at WEC was just 01:14 and even at the final was able to vet in after the sprint finish in under 10 mins for a final HR of 62 bpm.
40-year-old Virginie has competed in over 300 FEI endurance competitions and has ridden for France at 6 European Championships, 4 World Championships, and 2 WEGs. She achieved an individual Bronze medal as a Young Rider in 2003 World Championship CH-M-YJ-E 120 Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA) riding ELEIS D'AURABELLE. She already has 3x European Team Golds and now 2x World Team Golds.
The next French rider across the line was 31 year old Clementine CHAUD riding the 11yr old Anglo Arab mare, DOHA D'ARTAGNAN AA. This was Clementine's third championship as she represented France twice in 2023 at the Europeans where she was unlucky and at the Worlds in Boutheeb on WINARUZ EL DJIN where she finished in 13th place. Clementine started FEI competitions in 2009 and has participated in 138 FEI competitions. DOHA is owned and trained by Jean Michel GRIMAL who himself has 45 horses attached to his training record, with 7 active this year. DOHA is by SADEPERS, an Arabian stallion often ranked among the top endurance stallions.
DOHA competed in the World Championships for Young Horses as an 8 yr old with Mesab ALENEZI finishing in 6th place in Arborea in 2021. DOHA has an average completion speed of all FEI competitions of 16.8kmph and has only failed one ride on MET back in 2021. Clementine and DOHA finished 7th last year in Monpazier at the test event 160km event. The pair also acheived an impressive 160km at Compiegne 2024 at an average speed of 19.06 kmph - surely securing their team place.
While DOHA is not the fastest recovering horse, with the quickest recovery of the day being 02:07, a nice final loop speed of 18.87 km/h saw the pair finish in 9th place at an average speed of 17.8 km/h.
Crossing the line together was the two final Frenchmen (and actually the only men on the French team) Julien LAFAURE (32 years old) riding FAZAY CABIRAT and Philippe TOMAS (57 years old) riding BIWAKA DE CHALENDRAT.
At just 9 years old, FAZAY was one of the least experienced horses running for the French team. The gelding also has one of the more modest average speeds of all FEI competitions of just 16.45 kmph, but also a flawless record of 100% completion. FAZAY and Julien already ran 2x 160kms together and completed the CEI3* 140km in May at Loubejac this year for the fastest speed of FAZAY's career, 18.15 kmph for 3rd place.
What FAZAY lacked in experience though is made up for by his rider who has competed in almost 250 FEI endurance competitions. Julien has already represented France at 4x World Championships and 4x European Championships as both a Young Rider and as Senior. His best result before this was 14th place in Samorin 2016 with SHERAZADE CABIRAT.
FAZAY is bred and trained by Julien himself, with the CABIRAT breeding business located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Dordogne, in Mazeyrolles. Julien is the son of Jean-Noel, who was also the President of the Event (ride organiser). FAZAY is a purebred Arab by GERIK DE RENDPEINE and out of DORDJA D'IBOS (by DORMANE), a champion sire and sire of many endurance champions.
During the race, Julien had trouble in the first VG arriving with the leaders but with a re-present and 11 mins recovery saw him ride the next 4 loops without his team. By the final loop he had caught Philippe to secure 10th place.
57yr old Philippe was the oldest member of the team by far, and his coloured part-bred Arab gelding was also the oldest horse aged 13. BIWAKA is by ALKOW out of the dam, KIWAKA DE CHALENDRAT (KIWAKA DE CHALENDRAT).
Philippe has trained an impressive 260 horses at FEI level and already rode in 8 championships. Philippe secured his first Team Gold back in 2013 at the Europeans in Most (CZE) with QUOTIEN PERSKY. With the same horse he also secured a Team Silver at the Worlds at Euston Park. He also represented France in the 2000 WEC in Compiègne (FRA) for an individual 5th place.
BIWAKA is owned and trained by Philippe and has a nearly flawless career, with two European Championships (individual 3rd in 2023 and 4th in 2021) and a World Championship (14th in 2023). Philippe and BIWAKA have now achieved 3x team Gold Medals and an individual Bronze. BIWAKA's average speed across all FEI rides is 18.45 km/h with only one lameness in his career. He ran at Monpazier just once in 2020 but with Vicky CAPELIER not Philippe.
BIWAKA perhaps struggled the most of all the French team with not one but two re-presents for pulse setting the pair behind the rest of the team from loop 3. The experienced combination however were able to continue their pace to complete the race with a final average speed of 16.94 kmph.
Since only the top 3 results count in the team competition it was a nice cherry on top for team France to get all five of their riders around the course. The only country to do so!
The French team's total riding time was just 26hrs 33 mins.
The French team's dominance at the World Endurance Championship is a surely a testament to their exceptional experience. With all of their riders each having extensive records of international competition, France showcased a depth of expertise rarely matched.
China & Malaysia secure team medals
What was surprising however was the next two team results.
China who only first fielded a team at the Worlds last year, rode together to secure the Silver medal. Among the team were father Bo Sui and daughter Jiahe Sui.
15 year old, Jiahe SUI was the youngest competitor at this year's Championship. She only started endurance riding at FEI level in 2023 has already amassed 21 FEI competitions and qualified for the championships in April this year with EIWA DE BOZOULS in Ademuz, ESP. The French, 10 yr old mare is trained by Spaniard, Robert DIEZ NOGUERA.
The 12yr old gelding, AS EMBRUJO (from Chile) was ridden by Zhiqiang WANG who also is relatively inexperienced, starting endurance at FEI level in 2018. What Zhiqiang lacked in experience was more than made up for in AS EMBRUJO who finished in 3rd place in the 2021 World Championships with his previous rider, Boni VIADA DE VIVERO.
The third Chinese rider across the line was Bo SUI riding the Spanish 12yr old mare, VENECIA CID. Bo was one of the most experienced members of the team, starting FEI endurance back in 2013. 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. Bo also rode in the Worlds in 2023 in Boutheeb but was unsuccessful with RUISENOR PH. VENECIA was trained by long term Spanish trainer, MUÑIZ PIEDRA.
China also got a fourth rider over the line in Dayong FU, riding the only stallion on the course, 10 yr old, SALLAZ DJIN N'TONIC (who is also trained by our Bronze medalist, Melody). China was the only country to get four riders across the finish line, with a total riding time of 31 hours 21 minutes.
Not far behind was team Malaysia who's total riding time was 31 hrs and 33 mins. They secured the necessary three riders to take the Bronze medal. But this was not the first time Malaysia have secured a medal as their Young Rider team achieved an impressive Silver medal at the 2021 YR World Championships.
The entire Malaysian team were French based and trained by Swiss trainer Gabriela VON FELTEN.
The first Malaysian across the line was Mohd Bulkhari ROZALI riding the French 11yr old mare, BUSHRA ALBIDAYER. Mohd has been competing in FEI endurance since 2010 and this was his third World Championship having finished 11th with NAFIS DE BRISAL in Samorin in 2016.
Next across the line for Malaysia was Muhammad Aizad MOHD RIDUAN riding the 10yr old French gelding, EMIR DE FLAUZINS. EMIR DE FLAUZINS was the only other Skewbald horse in the competition - but with both getting medals perhaps there is something in the colour 😂.
Tengku Muhammad Syukri was the third rider for Malaysia riding the 9yr old French gelding, FAROUK DU CAVALLON.
For Muhammad Aizad MOHD RIDUAN & Tengku Muhammad Syukri this was their first Championship.
The presence of French bred and trained horses among the Malaysian and Chinese teams is yet further testimony to the quality of these horses and their horsemen and women.
What about French breeding then?
Whilst French bred or trained horses did make up the largest percentage of horses competing in the competition, it is clear that these horses also dominated the top slots above and beyond their counterparts. The individual gold went to the 10yr old gelding, EVEREST LA MAJORIE. The gelding has now won his last three races and secured 2nd in the Monpazier test event last year.
And whilst the 16 year old Australian, CASTLEBAR CADABRA made an interruption in the French line up, the remainder of the top 10 were French bred.
As far as the top 20 go, it's 85% French bred horses too.
Position | Sex | Age | Horse | Sire | Dam | Sire of Dam |
1 | Gelding | 10 | EVEREST LA MAJORIE | BALTIK DES ORS | KHALFA EL DERKOUCH | DERKOUCH |
3 | Gelding | 10 | YALLA DE JALIMA | DJEVAR DES GRAVES | PIESZCZOCHA | PIRUET |
4 | Gelding | 12 | CHAM DE LA PALUD | BEDOUIN DE PIBOUL | KANYA 252 | |
5 | Gelding | 10 | EDDY DE MONTROZIER | KHADAR | FIDJI DES JUNIES | |
6 | Mare | 10 | EASY EL BOHEIRA | TANGO DE LA SAULIRE | FAIQA DE CHARTON | |
7 | Mare | 12 | CHAITANA DES CHAISES | PIAST EL UTAR | CHAITANA DEVALLOIS | EL TIRF AL FARAS |
8 | Mare | 14 | AL SAIDA LARZAC | SAID LOTOIS | BABILONIA | PERSIK |
9 | Mare | 11 | DOHA D'ARTAGNAN AA | SADEPERS | L'ETINCELLE D'OR | GNOME |
10 | Gelding | 9 | FAZAY CABIRAT | GERIK DE RENDPEINE | DORDJA D'IBOS | DORMANE |
11 | Gelding | 13 | BIWAKA DE CHALENDRAT | ALKOW | KIWAKA DE CHALENDRAT | |
12 | Gelding | 18 | SPIRIT DE CROUZ | SHOGUN | KALYPSO DE CROUZ | KOHEILAN III 66 |
13 | Gelding | 11 | DUSTY DE BOZOULS | MUGUET DE PASCADE | ASSIDA DE BOZOULS | PRIM DE SYRAH |
14 | Gelding | 14 | BOLT DE VENELLES | SAID LOTOIS | LADY SIK DE BRISAL | PERSIK |
15 | Mare | 9 | FEYDRA CABIRAT | ULM DE DOMENJOI | ISHMIRA | KESBEROY |
16 | Mare | 10 | EIWA DE BOZOULS | MUGUET DE PASCADE | JAYA DE BOZOULS | PRIM DE SYRAH |
17 | Mare | 12 | PETRA DEL REY | DJORMAN | FEIJOA | POBEDITEL |
20 | Mare | 11 | BUSHRA ALBIDAYER | SC DAGASH | PRINCESSOFPASSION |
In summary, French horses won individual Gold and Bronze. French horses won Team Gold and Bronze, and had an impact on Team Silver too. French horses dominated the top 10 positions as well as the top 20. The French horsemen and women proved to be among the most experienced and strategic riders we have in the world.
There's a lot we can learn.
Comments