American Kathryn Downs on Pygmalion was the highest-placed American in 17th in endurance. Photo by Bob Langrish

Spain and France Claim First Medals at 2006 WEG Spain’s Ubach Takes Gold; America’s Top Rider Finishes 17th

Long before the sun rose over the first day of competition at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, a flurry of activity was going on as the stage was set for the first medal decisions made in the equestrian discipline of endurance. The consensus is that today’s championship served as the biggest in the sport’s interesting development and history, and the fact that temperatures didn’t make it much past the mid-60 degree range were a blessing to those who had feared that the heat that Germany saw weeks ago might wreak havoc in a sport where weather conditions can send the placings into a scramble.

Crews, horses, riders, inspectors and a contingency of blurry-eyed spectators woke up the proverbial rooster. Riders and their mounts took off under a dark rose-colored early morning sky just outside the Main Stadium near the start of the cross-country course. The 100-mile route saw them traverse a mix of terrain and territory through three countries – Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. The teams took off en masse at 6 a.m.

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A Wet, Yet Wonderful, Welcome for the 2006 WEG


After four long years of waiting, an anxious equestrian world watched the clock roll down to the moment everyone had their eyes turned to – the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Aachen FEI World Equestrian Games. And while gray skies and wet and windy weather welcomed the crème of the equine world to the picturesque town located in the westernmost corner of one of Europe’s most powerful horse countries, not even a downright deluge could have dampened the excitement and energy that was waiting to be unleashed over the next two weeks. And if ticket sales are any indication, the city of a quarter-of-a-million residents will forever be remembered by visitors long after the innumerable horse trailers and equestrian vacationers have made their way home.

Athletes, horses, owners, media and everyone in between began making their presence especially known over the last few days as the show grounds began to swell. As the Opening Ceremonies neared, the crowds gathered and the celebrations were at hand.

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Spaniard Miguel Vila Ubach and the eight-year-old Arabian gelding, Hungares, cross the finish line first in a time of 09:12:27 to win the individual Gold medal. Photo by Bob Langrish

Meg Sleeper aboard Shyrocco Troilus Photo by Bob Langrish

Jennifer Niehaus and Cheyenne XII Photo by Bob Langrish

Christoph Schork and Taj Rai Hasan Photo by Bob Langrish

Joseph Mattingley aboard his SA Laribou Photo by Bob Langrish