Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton (ESP) wins the individual gold medal in the Endurance World Championships
Credit: Dirk Caremans

Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton had a baby seven weeks ago. Yesterday she won the individual gold medal in the Endurance World Championships presented by Meydan at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Plenty of people told her that it was impossible to win so shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Maria.

She confirmed that it was no small feat. "I am relieved because it has been really really difficult for me. I just had a baby seven weeks ago, and it's been really difficult to train and bringing the baby and everything. and its really nice to do this and finish like that."

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his son, His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates took the silver and bronze medals. The United Arab Emirates also took the team gold medal with a combined total riding time of 23:56:36. France took silver with Germany following to secure the bronze.

Live results to all of the events at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are available at www.alltechfeigames.com/results.