Local Colorado rider to follow in the legacy of Genghis Khan and compete in the world’s longest horse race

SteamBoatPilot.com - Full Article

Paige Rylander will ride semi-wild horses across the Mongolian Steppe

Nick Slater | Jul 11, 2026

Dating back before the time of Genghis Khan, Mongolia has represented the genesis of horsemanship.

The annual Mongol Derby — a 650-mile horserace across the Mongolian Steppe — celebrates the relationship between humans and horses and is the longest horse race in the world. Steamboat Springs local Paige Rylander will compete in the 2026 iteration Aug. 5-14.

“I wanted to experience the epicenter of the horse-human relationship,” said Rylander. “I have competed in English riding through college, and I work at a ranch. This felt like the next step in my horse journey.”

The race roughly follows Khan’s postal route, which he developed in 1224 C.E.

The exact course that the riders must take changes each year. The riders utilize GPS and paper maps to follow the route.

Competitors hop between horses every 25 miles and utilize between 25-28 horses per race. At each aid station, riders refuel and migrate their gear — limited to a maximum of 11 pounds — between steeds.

Participants are permitted to ride between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. only. Over 1,000 horses are provided by 250 herders.

“You camp where you can,” said Rylander. “There is a culture of hospitality, and part of the fun is knocking on doors and asking if you can stay with them or camp on their land — especially when they’ve never heard of the race...”

Read more here:
https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/local-rider-to-follow-in-the-legacy-of-genghis-khan-and-compete-in-the-worlds-longest-horse-race/

Australia: Triple photo finish in Tom Quilty Cup

Amy Everett and Box Hill Nifty, closest to camera, wins the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, from Charlotte Williamson on Stirling's Thor, part obscured and Emma Ireland, third, riding Razorback Rolex. Photo: Sarah Sullivan Photography.

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

12/07/2026
Erle Levey

A midnight start and 160km later, it came down to a triple photo finish to decide the 60th anniversary of the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

The premier endurance horse ride in Australia attracted 225 entries from all states as well as a strong international contingent.

Held at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre at Imbil, the course over five legs was challenging yet held in ideal conditions. A cool night with a near-full moon, foggy morning and a fine day.

Going out on the last leg, it looked as if the winner would be from a group of five riders fairly tightly bunched together – even after 140km.

These comprised 2024 Gold Cup winner Emma Ireland from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Imbil rider Charlotte Williamson along with 2025 equal winner Nikki Sample, and first-time Quilty rider 24-year-old Amy Everett from the Hunter Valley.

Another Imbil rider Ute Jordan had been a strong contender all of the way.

A bit more than an hour after leaving ride base on the fifth and final leg, the horses rose into sight from the final creek crossing. There was about 400m to go and three riders were galloping towards the finish...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/12-07-2026/triple-photo-finish-in-quilty-cup/

Australia: 100 miles, one goal

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

02/07/2026

PRECEDE

The Tom Quilty Gold Cup, the premier event on the Australian Endurance Riders Association, is being held at Imbil this weekend. ERLE LEVEY looks at what inspires riders from across Australia and from overseas to saddle up for the challenge.

BREAKOUT QUOTE

“The Tom Quilty is considered the pinnacle of the sport in Australia. It’s what most riders are aiming for – to start, complete and get a Tom Quilty buckle as a result.“

The 60th anniversary of Australia’s premier endurance horse riding event, the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, is ready for a midnight start on Saturday 4 July.

Riders from across Australia will be competing in the 160km event, being held at Imbil this week.

The iconic ride, to be completed within 24 hours, will comprise a strong contingent of international riders – from the US, Spain, New Zealand, France and the Netherlands.

The leading riders are expected to complete the ride on Saturday afternoon – a little more than 12 hours undertaking the challenging ride through Imbil State Forest and rolling countryside between Brooloo and Mitchell Creek.

This anniversary ride celebrates the initial event in 1966, to the west of Sydney, that saw 23 starters. By comparison, the 2026 Tom Quilty has has attracted 231 nominations...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/02-07-2026/100-miles-one-goal/

FEI reopens bid process for FEI Endurance World Championship 2026 following withdrawal of AlUla (KSA) as host

Inside.FEI.org

01 July 2026
Author: FEI Communications

On 1 July 2026, during its in-person Board meeting, the FEI Board approved the termination of the Host Agreement for the FEI Endurance World Championship 2026, which had been scheduled to take place in AlUla (KSA) on 28 November. The decision was taken further to the Organising Committee, the Royal Commission for AlUla, informing the FEI on 29 June that, due to the current geopolitical situation, it was no longer in a position to organise the Championship as planned.

The FEI Board also approved the reopening of the bid process with the objective of identifying a new organiser and keeping the Championship on the 2026 calendar.

"This was not a decision the FEI Board took lightly," FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. "We are acutely aware of the impact this has on National Federations, Athletes, Officials, support teams and, above all, the preparation of the horses. However, under the circumstances, we had no option but to seek an alternative Organiser.

"We recognise the importance of the FEI Endurance World Championship for all those involved in the discipline and are fully committed to securing a new host. The bid process will open shortly and the matter will be rediscussed by the Board at the end of July.

"I would also like to thank the Endurance community for its continued commitment to the sport and for its support in this challenging situation."

A comprehensive summary of the decisions taken by the FEI Board will be issued shortly.

Australia’s endurance epic: Imbil saddles up for the Tom Quilty

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

29/06/2026
Erle Levey

It has been all hands on deck as the Stirling’s Crossing Tom Quilty 2026 committee and volunteers prepare the Imbil equestrian centre for the nation’s premier endurance event this week.

With 231 nominations for the iconic test of horsemanship being held over July 3-5 there was line-marking and mowing to be undertaken, and water pipes to be installed for more than 300 camp sites to accommodate an estimated 900 riders and support crews on site.

It is the 60th anniversary of the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, that saw 23 starters in that first event to the west of Sydney...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/29-06-2026/australias-endurance-epic-imbil-saddles-up-for-the-tom-quilty/

UAE riders claim top three spots in Emirates Global Endurance Series opener in France

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Youth, junior and senior UAE contenders shine in FEI-sanctioned French opener

Last updated: June 22, 2026

COMPIÈGNE, France: UAE riders dominated the concluding competitions of the first leg of the Emirates Global Endurance Village Series, held today in Compiègne, France, under the supervision of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).

In the Emirates Global Endurance Village CEI2* 120-km race, Emirati rider Salem Hamad Malhoof Al Ketbi, aboard SW Kabroz, won first place. Fellow Emirati rider Mansour Saeed Al Farsi, riding Baileys Rembrandt, finished second, while Issa Hamad Al Anzi, aboard Ermine d’Artagnan, secured third place. The four-phase race featured 94 riders.

In the Emirates Global Endurance Village Youth and Juniors CEI2* 120-km race, Emirati rider Rashid Khalid Mohammed Abdullah, aboard Baraka Unica, won first place. Jaber Badr Jaafar, riding Erada Victorias, came second, while Lia Clerici, aboard Chekhov, finished third. The four-phase race featured 23 riders...

Read more here:
https://gulfnews.com/sport/uae-riders-claim-top-three-spots-in-emirates-global-endurance-series-opener-in-france-1.500582135

Camilla Coppini: Always Learning from her Horses

FEI.org - Full Story

02 June 2026
Stacey Stearns

The Italian is developing a reputation as one of European Endurance's most promising talents... In Endurance, progression rarely happens overnight. The sport rewards riders who know how to build horses carefully, gain experience patiently and develop judgement one ride at a time. Italian Endurance athlete Camilla Coppini has embraced that philosophy throughout her career, rising steadily through the ranks by focusing on development as much as results.

Still among the younger generation of elite Endurance athletes, the 27-year-old has already established herself as part of Italy’s senior Endurance programme through a series of mature FEI-level performances and championship appearances. But for Coppini, success has never been about skipping steps.

"A successful ride, especially in this discipline, goes beyond the mere sporting results translated into terms of performance," Coppini explained. "It depends on various aspects, on the objective set and on the horse.

“A qualifying competition with a horse that requires greater effort in terms of preparation and interpretation of the horse and conditions can have greater value than a competition conducted out in the lead but in easier conditions..."

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/camilla-coppini-always-learning-her-horses