Sheikh Mohammed witnesses F3 Stables’ Al Mehairi’s historic success in inaugural Endurance Breeders’ Cup

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, witnessed in person as F3 Stables riders Rashed Khamis Al Mehairi and Mansoor Al Shedi clinched the top two spots on the podium in the first-ever Endurance Breeders’ Cup at Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday. Sheikh Mohammed congratulated HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Crown Prince and F3 Stables patron, for his leadership which ensured a brilliant history-making effort for the operation.

Al Mehairi was a picture of consistency aboard Lady Dana 16, a nine- year-old Crossbred mare. The pair began the 101km ride with the seventh-fastest time, but progressed up the rung gradually over the next three loops to win ahead of their F3 Stables teammates Al Shedi and Nil Azzura 16, who led at the end of the first stage. In a bid to ride within set heart rate parameters, Al Shedi was forced to step off the gas during the second and third loops and lost control of the leaderboard. However, he did well over the fourth and final loop to climb up to second from seventh.

On the other hand, Al Mehairi went from seventh, to sixth and made his bid for glory from fifth at the end of the penultimate loop.

M7 Endurance Stables’ Ahmad Ezzadin Al Bastaki (Dolphina) were at the summit going into the final loop, but had to be content with eventually settling for podium’s final spot as the F3 Stables pair stormed past them on the timers. At the end, Al Mehairi and Al Shedi were separated by a second, the former’s winning time 3:36:43 at an average speed of 27.96kph a shade better.

Al Shedi and his mount were timed at 3:36:44 despite registering the same average speed of 27.96kph, while third-placed Al Bastaki was clocked at 3:37:02.

“I am delighted for the win in this race as I expected this from Lady Dana 16 and how she had performed at Al Wathba. Thankfully, we were rewarded with a win today,” commented the winner Al Mehairi.

The season at Dubai International Endurance City includes a series of top rides with its world-renowned HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival (18-22 February, 2025) and the Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival (7-11 January, 2025), the two showpiece events on its calendar.

Dubai: Endurance Breeders’ Cup Preview

Exciting Breeders’ Cup Challenge at DIEC on Saturday

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Top endurance stables in the UAE are set to lock horns in the inaugural edition of the Endurance Breeders’ Cup at Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Al Salam on Saturday, 28 December, 2024.

Organised by Dubai Equestrian Club, the 101km event is held under the purview of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, the body governing the sport in the country. Endurance riding requires rider-horse pairings to traverse extreme distances across challenging terrain, with the competition intensifying as tactics come into play even as the mental and physical demands of the sport provide a severe test for both the mind and body of rider and his mount. With rider and equine welfare paramount, the inaugural edition of the Endurance Breeders’ Cup will be contested over a four-loop course. Ahmad Alkaabi said it’s all systems go as he prepares for his first major event as the newly- appointed Deputy General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club.

“We are always on top of our game when it comes to organising events at Dubai International Endurance City and we look forward to welcoming the riders and horses and all of the teams participating in this first-ever event and wish everyone involved all the very best as they bid to win the title,” said Alkaabi. “I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and all of our other patrons for their unwavering support of endurance racing over the years and this race like all of our other major events is one that is sure to be a fiercely- contested and exciting affair.”

2024: The Year in Endurance

FEI.org - Full Article

20 December 2024
Words by Stacey Stearns

Looking back on the highlights of the year...

In 2024, Endurance celebrated triumphant title defences, thrilling performances, and the emergence of future stars on the global stage.

September was a pivotal month, packed with action from three major championships: the FEI Endurance World Championship, the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses, and the FEI Endurance European Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. While powerhouses Bahrain and France held onto their golds, fresh talent illuminated the path forward, signaling a vibrant future for the sport.

Sheikh Nasser defends title

The spotlight shone brightly on HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain (main image), who, aboard the talented Everest la Majorie, claimed Individual gold at the FEI Endurance World Championship in Monpazier (FRA). Defending a World title is no small feat, and Sheikh Nasser’s achievement puts him up there among the discipline’s most celebrated champions.

Not to be outdone, Team France delivered another stellar performance, defending their Team gold from the 2023 World Championships in Butheeb (UAE). The team’s anchor, Melody Theolissat (pictured above), added an Individual bronze medal to her name, while her compatriots thrilled the home crowd with finishes in fourth, ninth, 10th, and 11th places...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/2024-year-endurance

Malaysia: Koe’s Endurance Dream Comes True

FEI.org - full story

14 December 2024
Words by Stacey Stearns

The Malaysian helped his country to a famous FEI World Championship medal...

The smile said it all when Mohd “Koe” Bulkhari Rozali of Malaysia crossed the finish line on Bushra Albidayer to make history at the FEI Endurance World Championship in Monpazier (FRA) in September.

It was the culmination of years of hard work, training, and dedication as an equestrian athlete representing his country.

Koe helped his country to a famous achievement as they won the Team bronze medal, finishing behind champions France and China but ahead of the likes of UAE, Bahrain and Spain.

“Competing at the World Championship was an unforgettable experience. Securing the Team bronze for Malaysia felt like a dream come true … it was a huge moment of pride for all of us, not just for me, but for the entire Malaysian Endurance community,” Koe said...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/malaysia-mohd-koe-bulkhari-rozali

Myanmar: Long-distance equestrian race to be held in Bagan

GNLM.com

December 14 2024

A long-distance equestrian competition will be held on 30 December 2024 at Tuyin Valley, near the base of Tuyin Mountain in the Bagan ancient cultural zone, NyaungU Township, Mandalay Region, organized by the Myanmar Equestrian Federation in preparation for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. The event will feature three categories: FEI 1* Endurance Qualification Round 4 (100 kilometres), FEI 1* Endurance Qualification (85 kilometres), and FEI 1* Endurance Qualification (45 kilometres), with awards presented for all. An international referee and a veterinarian from the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) will oversee the event, alongside an Endurance VET Update Programme for local veterinarians...

Read more here:
https://www.gnlm.com.mm/long-distance-equestrian-race-to-be-held-in-bagan/

Patagonia is Calling: The Gaucho Derby Academy is Coming Up

Equestrianists.com

The Gaucho Derby Academy is back.. The 2025 event is taking place from 22-29 January and there are still a few spots up for grabs on this epic adventure.  

The Gaucho Derby Academy provides a week-long crash course in how to ride like a gaucho, hosted by the expert international Gaucho Derby team and our best gaucho pals. Think nights out camping under the stars with your horse in the middle of nowhere, swapping horse tales round the campfire over a malbec with the gauchos.

You will ride some of the valiant gaucho steeds who carry our riders across the Derby course, get familiar with the tack we use on the Derby, and receive detailed training sessions on everything you could possibly need to know to tackle the Derby, from reading a GPS to wilderness survival.

In short, it’s the perfect way to dip your toe into the Derby world before deciding to go for the real deal. Or maybe you just want the opportunity to meet and learn from the legendary gauchos of Argentina while also having the adventure of a lifetime in the wild.  

Did we mention the wild horse round up, and the daily asados?  

Cost: USD$5,500
Dates: 22-29 January 2025

For more information see:
https://equestrianists.com/guides/gaucho-derby-academy/

Chile's Martin Playing the Long Game in Endurance

FEI.org - Full Story

20 September 2024
Words by Stacey Stearn

We catch up with the Pan American champion...

“Endurance riding is a sport where a victory is the result of long-term teamwork,” says Pan American champion Martin Garcia Lazo of Chile. He and his family own and operate the San Ignacio Stud Farm with horses and cattle in the country’s southern region.

The elegant stables are situated on an expansive property with large pastures, shade trees, and trails. The family imported Arabian broodmares from Argentina, France, and the United States in 2008 to start their Endurance breeding operation. The family is playing the long game in the sport, and understands the discipline involved in success.

“What I love most about this sport is the camaraderie, the deep connection with the horse, and the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of each ride,” the 29-year-old said...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/martin-garcia-lazo-playing-long-game-endurance