Visser and Spain Win European Endurance Titles

FEI.org - Full Story

21 June 2025
Words by Rebecca Kinnarney
Images by Massimo Argenziano

All the latest action...

Marijke Visser (NED) and Chaitana des Chaises take individual gold in the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 at Castiglione del Lago in Umbria (ITA). Visser dominated the race from its start at 6am on 21 June but was forced to vie for the lead all day by the others in the front group.

After 160km of close competition and expert horsemanship, Visser took her first Individual gold and the first Individual gold for the Netherlands in their Endurance history.

After a magnificent final trot up and vetting, where the 13-year-old Arab mare, Chaitana des Chaises, truly looked like she could do it all over again, Visser described her as tricky to ride but said that “they are the best ones”.

The Individual silver medal went to the French combination, France Paul and D'Arohz Rouge du Val. This championship debut pairing crossed the line a mere three seconds after Visser, followed hotly by Spain's Gil Berenger Carrera, again only seconds behind the leading two. Berenger Carrera returns to Spain with his first senior Individual bronze medal after a thrilling day of the highest quality Endurance riding.

Spain take Team honours

Spain secured the gold medal in the team event thanks to a strong collective performance...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/visser-and-spain-win-european-endurance-titles

Europe’s Elite Riders Ready for Endurance Championship

FEI.org - Full Article

16 June 2025
Words by Stacey Stearns

Reigning champion Sabrina Arnold looks ahead to Castiglione del Lago...

When the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 takes place on 21 June, the historic Castiglione del Lago (ITA) will transform into a global stage for equestrian grit, heart and horsepower.

With top combinations from across the continent converging on central Italy’s challenging terrain, anticipation is building for what promises to be a high-calibre contest testing strategy, stamina, and the ultimate partnership between horse and rider.

“Every championship is special,” said Germany’s Sabrina Arnold, who won Individual gold at the Europeans in 2023 with Easy El Boheira. “I like competing with my international friends. I don’t know the competition course, but it seems to be hilly with varying terrain.”

Endurance is about how the horse and athlete work together, the support from their crew, and how riders read the trail. That is what makes the discipline so special.

A challenging venue steeped in history

Castiglione del Lago, in the heart of the Apennines, on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, offers a technical and tactical test for even the most experienced riders. The trail winds through pine forests and grassy expanses, combining natural beauty with varied footing that demands careful pace management.

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/european-championship-2025-sabrina-arnold-preview

Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 set for June 21

June 16 2025

From 18 to 22 June 2025, Castiglione del Lago will become the centre of the international equestrian world, hosting the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025, one of the most significant events in the endurance calendar. The competition will bring athletes, professionals and enthusiasts from across Europe to Umbria, transforming the area of the former Eleuteri Airport into an open and welcoming sports village.

The highlight will be the European Championship on Saturday 21 June, featuring around 100 riders from 22 countries. Participants will face a 160-kilometre course designed to enhance the unique features of the Umbrian landscape: a route crossing hills, medieval villages and lake areas, offering an immersive experience of sport, nature and culture.

The main venue, within the former Eleuteri airfield, will host both the start and finish of the race and serve as a hub for welcoming the public. Beyond the sporting competition, the event will foster encounters between professionals and audiences, with activities designed for families, children and horse lovers, all in an accessible and vibrant setting.

Stay tuned for more info!

http://www.endurance.net/international/Italy/2025EuropeanEnduranceChampionship/

US Equestrian Announces U.S. Endurance Team and Young Riders for the 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championships

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Jun 12, 2025, 8:35 AM

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes and horse combinations selected to compete on the U.S. Endurance Team and individually at the 2025 FEI Pan American Endurance Championships. Both Pan Am Championships will take place July 18, 2025, at Haras Albar, in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

The following athletes and horse combinations have been selected to compete on the Senior U.S. Endurance Team are listed in alphabetical order:

• Heather Davis (The Plains, Va.) and HM Kaiser Tesla, a 2016 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Haras Paso Manzanero
• Alternate: Ring of Fire CA, her own 2010 Arabian gelding
• Thomas Rajala (Hillsborough, N.C.) and Valente Heb, a 2009 Arabian gelding owned by Fernando De Mello Mattos Haaland
• Meg Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and RG Kares, a 2015 Arabian mare owned by Marcelo Ulsenheimer
• Cheryl van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) and Alcazar Richarson, a 2013 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Yvette Vinton
• Alternate: Madjule, a 2015 Arabian mare owned by Jose Ortega
• Nicole Wertz (Auburn, Calif.) and Little Sammy SV, her own 2015 Arabian gelding

The following athletes and horse combinations have been selected to compete as individuals in the FEI Endurance Pan American Young Riders & Juniors Championship and are listed in alphabetical order:

• Avery Betz-Conway (Kingsland, Ga.) and Zendaya Rach, a 2017 Arabian mare owned by Rach Stud Agropecuaria LTDA
• Uma Kraskin (Deland, Fla.) and Maggies Nchanted Pipi, a 2011 Arabian mare owned Evelyn Baig

Competition Information:

The 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championships at Haras Albar begins with the opening ceremony taking place at 4:30 pm/GMT-3 on July 16. Competition for both Senior and Young Riders will begin with pre-ride horse inspections at 10:00 am/GMT-3 on July 17 and conclude with Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony at 8:00 pm/GMT-3 on July 18.

More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-us-endurance-team-and

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad commends Royal Endurance Team’s win in France’s Florac Endurance Ride

BNA.bh - Full Article

31 May 2025

Manama, May 31 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, commended the team’s victory, represented by Victorious Team, in taking first place at the Florac Endurance Ride in France.

Rider Salman Isa secured first place in the 120km open race, outperforming many European and Gulf riders. Rider Jaber Bader also took first place in the youth and juniors category, ahead of his European competitors...

Read more here:
https://www.bna.bh/en/National/HHShaikhNasserbinHamadcommendsRoyalEnduranceTeamswininFrancesFloracEnduranceRide.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDhZmLMOcfio%2BhDpNHIickTU%3D

China's longest, most challenging equestrian event kicks off in Xinjiang

ChinaDaily.com.cn - Full Article

By MAO WEIHUA and ZHENG CAIXIONG | chinadaily.com.cn |

The Super Derby International Equestrian TREC Endurance on Silk Road kicked off in Zhaosu county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Friday.

As the longest and most challenging equestrian event in China, the event has attracted a total of 71 riders from eight countries and regions, including the United States, Italy and France, to challenge their sporting limits, organizers said.

The youngest is only 14 years old while the oldest is 64.

The event's innovative fusion of equestrian endurance and orienteering features, adopting a multi-day segmented race format, presents unprecedented challenges to the physical fitness, intelligence, and collaborative abilities of riders and horses, said organizers.

The event, which will last until June 5, involves a professional category for a distance of 500 kilometers over seven days, and an amateur race spanning 220 km over three days...

Read more here:
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202505/31/WS683abbd8a310a04af22c2a1c.html

Australia: Keeping it (the Quilty) in the family

NoosaTodeay.com.au - Full Article

25/05/2025 by Erle Levey

It was a gallop finish for the coveted Tom Quilty 2025 Gold Cup with Queensland’s Sample family repeating history.

Imbil’s Matthew Sample and brother Brook, from Kenilworth, were equal winners of the 160km endurance ride in 2009 at Tonimbuk, near Pakenham in Victoria.

Now Nikki Sample, wife of Matthew, and Matty Sample, 21-year-old son of Brook, have tied in 2025 for what is regarded as Australia’s premier horse riding endurance event.

They crossed the line at Sassafras, in northern Tasmania, with raised arms. They were just a couple of minutes ahead of the fast-finishing Ben Hudson – a two-times winner of the Tom Quilty...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/25-05-2025/keeping-it-in-the-family/