Great Britain: Veteran Anglo Arab defies the odds to win 80km at Shuckburgh Hall

May 3 2026

 A 20-year-old Anglo Arab proved that age is no barrier to performance, as Balishla and Powys rider Fiona Griffiths took victory in the 80km CER at the Shuckburgh Hall Endurance Ride.

Part of Endurance GB’s Silver Anniversary Ride Series, celebrating 25 years of the sport, the popular fixture attracted record entries and delivered a competitive day of riding in warm, dry conditions.

In a strong class, Griffiths led from Jennifer Gaimster in second and Scarlett Chapple in third, with riders needing to balance pace carefully over firm, at times slick, ground.

For those less familiar with endurance, the 80km CER (Competitive Endurance Ride) is a speed-based class run over multiple loops, with horses required to pass veterinary inspections throughout the day. Performance is judged not only on speed, but on the horse’s fitness, recovery and soundness, placing welfare at the centre of competition.

Griffiths, who has amassed more than 15,750km of competitive mileage since starting endurance in 2002, was quick to emphasise that the win was not the original goal.

“It was absolutely fantastic to win. We hadn’t set out to go for it – we just wanted a completion. After a few tough rides recently, I really needed a good day.”

Balishla – known as “Goofy” at home – has now accumulated close to 3,000km in competition since starting the sport in 2012. His longevity is particularly notable given he was written off as a six-year-old with navicular.

“We bought him as a four-year-old, and he’s now 20 and still having the best time,” said Griffiths. “He tries his best all day and just loves ride day – he’s a real showman.”

The lead-up to Shuckburgh was not without drama, with Griffiths facing a last-minute shoeing issue the evening before departure.

“At 7pm the night before, I heard that awful ‘clip clop’ of a lost shoe. The farrier was on holiday, but thankfully ours came to the rescue within the hour. It was a 4am start after that – but that’s endurance, you just get on with it.”

On course, riders were required to adapt to testing underfoot conditions and rising temperatures.

“The ground was hard and quite tricky in places, so we took the first loop steadily. As the day went on and it got hotter, I was just focused on bringing him home well.”

The pair’s performance reflects a long-term, welfare-led approach to training and campaigning.

“Longevity is everything,” Griffiths explained. “It’s not about winning today – it’s about still being out there and enjoying it years down the line.”

That philosophy was evident throughout the ride, with Griffiths also taking time to assist another competitor who had become lost on course—highlighting the supportive nature of the endurance community.

“That’s what the sport is about – helping each other out.”

With Balishla now enjoying a short break, plans for the rest of the season will be guided by how the veteran gelding feels following the run.

“He’ll have a week or so off now and then we’ll see. I’ll let him decide.”

For Griffiths, the result is another milestone in a long and varied endurance career—but one that continues to be driven by the partnership with her horse.

“You don’t do this mileage without plenty of ups and downs. You learn something every ride and just keep trying to improve.”

 

Australia: Marathon a great test

Amelia Best leads Tracey Eastaughffe and Mark Liesegang out of the forest in the 320km ride. Photo: Sarah Sullivan Photography.

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

01/05/2026

The Far-A-Way Easter Endurance Carnival is a four-day event that embodies the spirit of horsemanship with the feature event being a 320km ride. ERLE LEVEY was at Imbil to capture the challenge that both horse and rider face.

BREAKOUT QUOTE

“Endurance takes a real team effort. If you cannot work as a team, it makes life hard.”

Riding 320km over four days is a real test of attitude … of body, of mind and of spirit.

To complete such a physical and mental challenge it needs a special bond between horse and rider. So much depends on the teamwork and understanding of each other.

It’s a matter of attitude, a matter of remaining focused at times that can be quite isolating.

Yet there’s also the joy of riding in the Australian bush in different conditions … at the first break of day, in sunshine or in rain.

That is the challenge of the endurance rider who undertake the marathon at the Far-A-Way Easter Endurance Carnival in Imbil.

Held at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre, the carnival attracted 220 entries in the 11 events.

The weekend presented riders with the chance to prepare their horses for the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, to be held at Imbil in July...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/01-05-2026/marathon-a-great-test/

Endurance in Montalcino: Italian Championships 2026

https://www.initaly.it/en/articolo/campionati-italiani-endurance-2026-a-montalcino-quattro-giorni-nella-12085

Autore: Redazione • 28/04/2026 12:57

Endurance in Montalcino: Italian Championships 2026

From 6 to 10 May 2026, Montalcino becomes the stage for the Italian Endurance Championships and the “Festival Terre Toscane”. Organized by the Generali Endurance Team with support from FISE, FEI and MASAF, the event combines high-level competition with territory promotion and horse welfare.

About 300 horse-and-rider combinations are expected to take part; FEI international classes will feature 184 athletes from six countries and 14 Italian regions. The program spans all levels: from Pony and Under-14 national championships up to the CEI3* Absolute Italian Championship over 160 km.

Main schedule

• 6 May – Opening and official ceremonies
• 7 May, 9:00 – Italian Pony Championships
• 8 May, 6:30 – Under 21 (120 km) and Under 14 (90 km) Championships
• 9 May, 6:00 – CEI3* Absolute Italian Championship (160 km)

Venues and practical information

Official ceremonies will take place at Castello Banfi – Poggio alle Mura, while the operational hub will be in Sant’Angelo Scalo. All competition phases include strict veterinary checks, essential for horse welfare and event integrity.

The competition is set within the scenic and cultural context of the Val d’Orcia, a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors should respect local rules, follow directions to parking and spectator areas, and expect some unpaved access routes...

More at:
https://www.initaly.it/en/articolo/campionati-italiani-endurance-2026-a-montalcino-quattro-giorni-nella-12085

JACK AU XOIS excels in French Endurance race

OmanObserver.om - Full Article

Published: 05:04 PM,Apr 27,2026

The horse ‘Jack Au Xois’ continued his outstanding performances in endurance racing after securing first place in the 103 km Vizac Endurance Ride held recently in France, adding another achievement to the growing list of notable Arab successes on the European stage.

The victory was achieved under the guidance of rider Theo Jonas. The horse is owned by Mohammed bin Rashid al Saadi and was originally developed and conditioned in Oman under the supervision of trainer Mohammed bin Hamood al Balushi. In the lead-up to the race, the horse was sent to France, where it underwent pre-race preparation under the guidance of trainer Elisabeth Hardy.

This achievement builds on Jack Au Xois’ consistent record, having previously secured third place in the His Majesty the King's Endurance Cup in the Kingdom of Bahrain, reflecting the horse’s steady progress and ability to compete at a high international level...

Read more here:
https://www.omanobserver.om/ampArticle/1188673

Great Britain: Major sponsorship announced as hoof boots rise in popularity across endurance riding

April 23 2026

A new three-year title sponsorship of Endurance GB’s National Championships has been announced, reflecting the growing use of hoof boots across the sport.

The Hoof Boot Shop will become Title Sponsor of the National Championships from 2026, in a partnership that highlights a noticeable shift in how endurance horses are managed and competed.

A sport evolving with horse welfare at its core

Endurance GB, the National Governing Body for endurance riding in Great Britain, oversees a discipline where horse welfare is central to competition. With veterinary checks before, during and after rides, the sport places a strong emphasis on soundness, recovery, and long-term horse health.

In recent years, more riders have been exploring alternative hoof care approaches, with hoof boots becoming an increasingly common sight at all levels of the sport.

National Championships showcase the best of the sport

The National Championships remain the pinnacle of domestic competition, bringing together combinations from grassroots through to elite level.

Held at Thetford 2 on 15–16 August 2026, the Championships include:

• Senior National Championship (160km in one day)
• Young Rider National Championship (100km)
• Championship Series from 20km Foundation level through to Advanced

Qualification takes place across the season, combining performance-based points with results at Area Qualifiers, ensuring the Championships reflect both consistency and progression.

From grassroots fitting service to title sponsor

Founded in 2021, The Hoof Boot Shop began as a mobile fitting service, travelling across the UK to help horse owners find the right hoof boot for their horse.

Since then, it has grown into a nationwide network of approved fitting partners, alongside online fitting services and a specialist product range.

Rachael, Managing Director of The Hoof Boot Shop, said:
“Endurance riders are incredibly focused on what works best for their horses, and that’s something we’ve seen more and more over the last few years. Hoof boots are becoming part of that conversation, particularly for horses competing over varied terrain. We’re proud to support a sport where horse wellbeing and performance go hand in hand.”

A partnership that reflects wider changes in the sport

Endurance GB believes the partnership reflects a broader shift within the discipline, rather than simply a commercial agreement.

Bella Fricker, Marketing and Sponsorship Director at Endurance GB, said:
“This isn’t just about a sponsorship – it’s about recognising how the sport is evolving. We’re seeing more riders explore different approaches to hoof care, and that’s being driven by a real focus on horse comfort and longevity.

The Hoof Boot Shop are a natural partner for the National Championships because they’re already part of that conversation within the endurance community.”

Supporting the future of endurance

The three-year agreement also represents continued investment into the sport, helping to support the National Championships and strengthen partnerships within the equestrian industry.

As riders begin their qualification journeys for 2026, the Championships will once again bring together the very best of endurance riding – from emerging combinations to experienced international competitors.

Wipawan Pawitayalarp: Meet Thailand’s Endurance Trailblazer

FEI.org - Full Story

17 April 2026
Words by Stacey Stearn

The experienced athlete reflects on her career, her horses, and the path that has shaped her success...

The name Wipawan Pawitayalarp is well known in Thailand’s Endurance riding community and beyond. She has competed in six major international championships and was part of the Thailand team that won gold at the FEI Asian Championships 2025 on home soil in Pattaya.

In 2011, Wipawan became the first woman to win the Sultan Mizan Cup at Terengganu International Endurance Park in Malaysia with Mulawa Angelus. The field that day was experienced and largely male, at a time when women in the region were still underrepresented in the sport. Her win came after years of steady work, training, and a strong belief in the partnership between horse and rider – something that continues to define her career.

“Becoming the first woman to win the cup was very meaningful,” she said. “I hope it showed that women in Southeast Asia can compete strongly and succeed at the highest level. If that inspired even a few young riders, then it means even more...”

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/wipawan-pawitayalarp-meet-thailands-endurance-trailblazer

Feed Manufacturer Joins Endurance GB for “Suitably Mounted” Welfare Initiative

April 9 2026

Endurance GB is pleased to announce that Baileys Horse Feeds will be supporting the organisation’s Suitably Mounted welfare initiative throughout the 2026 endurance season.

As part of the partnership, Baileys will attend ten endurance rides across the UK, offering riders the opportunity to access free horse weighbridge services, body condition scoring and expert nutrition advice.

The initiative forms part of Endurance GB’s wider commitment to promoting horse welfare, education and informed decision-making within the sport.

At selected rides, riders will have the opportunity to:

• Weigh their horse on a professional weighbridge
• Have their horse’s body condition assessed
• Speak to Baileys nutrition specialists about feeding and management

Supporting Responsible Horsemanship

“Suitably mounted” means that horse and rider partnership are matched in size, weight, fitness, skill and experience – all factors contributing to protecting the horse’s long-term physical and mental wellbeing.

Understanding a horse’s bodyweight and condition helps owners make informed decisions about feeding, training and workload. Many owners estimate their horse’s weight visually, but these estimates can often be inaccurate. Using a weighbridge allows riders to monitor weight more accurately and track changes throughout the season.

Body condition scoring alongside weighing also provides valuable insight into a horse’s overall condition and fitness. John Coldicott, Endurance GB Welfare Director:

“Horse welfare is central to everything we do in endurance riding. The Suitably Mounted initiative is about providing riders with information that helps them better understand their partnership with their horse. Most of our members are already well within the recommended guidelines, but initiatives like this allow riders to access accurate information about their horse’s weight and condition in a supportive environment. It’s not about judgement or enforcement – it’s about education and good horsemanship.”

A Shared Commitment to Horse Welfare

Baileys Horse Feeds are widely recognised for their expertise in equine nutrition and their commitment to supporting horse owners with practical, evidence-based advice.

Their involvement in the Suitably Mounted initiative reflects a shared commitment between Baileys and Endurance GB to support responsible horse management and horse welfare across the sport.

Jane Buchan, Marketing Manager for Baileys Horse Feeds, adds;

“We’re delighted to be supporting Endurance GB’s Suitably Mounted initiative this season. Understanding a horse’s bodyweight and condition is a fundamental part of responsible horse management, helping owners tailor their horses’ diets to achieve an optimum balance of condition and fitness. By bringing our weighbridge and nutrition team directly to rides, we hope to give riders easy access to practical information that can help support their horse’s health, performance and long-term wellbeing.”

A Supportive Approach

Guidelines established by the Suitably Mounted Group (SMG), a collaboration between welfare experts and other professionals in the equine industry, suggest that the rider and all tack should not exceed 20% of the horse’s healthy bodyweight.

Endurance GB recognises that conversations around weight and condition can be sensitive topics. The purpose of the Suitably Mounted initiative is not to judge riders, but to encourage education and awareness.

Recent Endurance GB member survey results highlight the strength of the endurance community’s welfare culture:

• 80% of members support the 20% horse–rider weight ratio guideline
• 90% of riders report they are already compliant

The initiative therefore focuses on providing riders with the opportunity to understand their horse–rider partnership better, rather than enforcing rules.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season

The Baileys team will attend selected endurance rides throughout the 2026 season, offering riders the chance to weigh their horses, discuss feeding and management, and learn more about maintaining healthy body condition.

Riders are welcome to visit the Baileys stand during the day to ask questions or take advantage of the free services available.

By helping riders understand their horses better, the initiative aims to support stronger partnerships, better management decisions and the long-term welfare of endurance horses.