The 2001 FEI Open European Endurance Championships were held in the beautiful town of Castiglione del Lago near Perugia (ITA) on 29 September. Eighty-two competitors lined up at the start at 5.30 a.m. on Saturday and eight hours and twenty minutes later, Sheik Rashid bin Mohd Al Maktoum (UAE) riding the new star Provocative, crossed the line to win the Open Gold medal.
He was closely followed by his brother Sheik Hamden bin Mohd Al Maktoum (UAE) on Dynamik, who took the silver and then the home favourite Fausto Fiorucci (ITA) on Faris Jabar to take the Bronze Open medal and the European Gold. The Open team gold went to the UAE thanks to the combined skills of the Gold and Silver medallists and their father Sheik Mohd bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the incredible Nelson, who placed 11th in the individual competition. This was Nelsons 5th Championship completion and his 3rd Gold medal. Italy took the Silver Open and the European Gold followed by Portugal and Germany.

The Silver in the European section went to Marc Comas of Spain riding Ombra and the Bronze to Switzerlands Hansjorg Bendiner riding Kamaya. This was without doubt one of the best Endurance events ever held; the conditions were perfect with pleasant temperatures and excellent going. The organisers provided a perfect Vet gate with enough space for all competitors. The layout and marking of the courses reached new levels, which enabled the horses to maintain good speed. The completion rate reached 50% with all the horses in a great condition following the event.

For the first time an FEI Endurance event enjoyed live television coverage and the last 10 km were broadcast at prime time, reaching over 6 million viewers nationwide. With riders from as far away as Malaysia, Australia and Brazil, the 2001 FEI Open European Endurance Championships was a truly universal event and left both spectators and competitors looking forward to next years World Equestrian Games.