The Equestrian Endurance federation has formally written to the Organizing Committee of the World Endurance Championship asking for a detailed explanation enquiring reasons for declining the gold medal to Shaikh Hazza during the closing ceremony.

They added the official results, as signed off by the president of the ground jury are published on the FEI website and remain unchanged, confirming Shaikh Hazza as the winner.

During the closing ceremony Shaikh Hazza was denied his medal and instead the runner up Barbara Lissarague of France was crowned the world champion. The third and fourth placed riders were promoted to silver and bronze.

Shaikh Hazza’s 11-year-old bay gelding Hachim crossed the finish line in a record seven hours and three minutes to win the 160-kilometre race after a keen tussle from the French rider on Georgat.

General Shaikh Mohamemd bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, was third and Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan was fourth. The nine-year-old Nashmi ridden by Shaikh Mohammed was adjudged the Best Conditioned Horse of the Championship.