France: USA's Russell finishes 5th; UAE's Khalifa Al Jahouri wins YRJ World Endurance Championship

July 27 2013

The UAE's Khalifa Ali Khalifan Al Jahouri won the 120-km**** Young Rider Junior World Endurance Championship in Tarbes, France today in 6:00.34, 12 minutes 31 seconds ahead of second place rider, Marijke Visser of the Netherlands, riding Eomer. Australia's Erin Krahnen riding Emily Jones TE took the bronze medal in 6:21.10. Uruguay's Oriana Ricca riding Talita Kumi 50 finished 4th, in 6:21.10.

USA riders Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold, and Christina Kimery and Wallace Hill Shade completed the WEC. Russell finished in 5th place in 6:28.47, 28 minutes behind the winner, averaging 18.519 km/h. Kimery finished in 41st place, 2:18.56 behind the winner, averaging 14.414 km/h.

3 USA riders were eliminated on course: Katherine Gardener and AF Big Bucks at Gate 3 for lameness; Mary Katherine Clark and Chasing the Wind at gate 2 for lameness; and Sarah Jack and FYF Dutch at gate 1 for lameness. Clark's horse lost a shoe on loop 1 and was sore.

Unofficial Team Results are:
1st Place: France; 2nd Place Belgium; 3rd Place Spain; 4th Place Malaysia.

49 of 86 riders completed the course. It was described as a "tough technical trail, with mud and rocks."

short video of Kelsy Russell finishing the race


See more here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2013JYRWEC/