Spain has proclaimed Raid European champion In the tournament played in Castiglione del Lago, in the Italian Umbría region. It is the Seventh gold medal of the Spanish team in the discipline. To the title the individual bronze of Gil Berenguer was added.
In a 160 -kilometer test marked by high temperatures and great physical demand, the Spanish team managed to maintain a high competitive rhythm. They completed the tour Gil Berenguer with “Jilguero II”, Omar Blanco with “JM the nephew” and Juan Carlos Ruiz de Villa with “LM whiskey”. María Álvarez Pontón and Jaume Puntí Dachs failed to finish the test. The Amazon Reserva was Raquel Costa. Italy was silver and the Netherlands, bronze thanks to Marijke Visser, individual gold with “Chaitana des Chaises”.
“It has been a personal and huge team satisfaction. Being able to be in the departure line, play a European championship until the end and end a collective gold and an individual bronze is the maximum for me,” says Gil Berenguer. “There are many months of day by day, effort and adjust all the details,” he says. “The atmosphere in the team was excellent. We were a very close group, we all worked very hard to achieve gold. From the main horses and riders, to the reserves, the veterinarians, the coach and each person who was part of the team, all contributed the best of themselves,” he says. “The most difficult thing was to see how two teammates were eliminated. It is something that emotionally impacts, because you know the effort behind. But it is also part of this sport. Then, the last 200 meters before crossing the goal were very exciting,” he says.
“I want to thank the horses, which are the true heroes and protagonists. Also to all the people who followed us and supported us from home. And above all, to assistance, whose work is very important,” says Gil Berenguer.
The complexity of the Raid lies in various very thorough veterinary controls throughout the entire route and a tremendous physical wear. It is no accident that in 160 -kilometer tests only one third of the participants reach the goal. Completing the test with three five -five binomials is already an undoubted success. “From the first kilometer to the last, every day and every race they teach you something. Compete with animals and more in a discipline like the raid in which you never stop learning,” Berenguer concludes.
