Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 10 – Third time lucky

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
14th August 2025

Day 10 of the 2025 Mongol Derby has drawn to a close, as our remaining superstar riders made it home after 1,000km of thrills and spills out on the steppe to join the party at finish camp. We couldn’t be more proud of them. These riders have faced extreme physical and mental adversity over the last 10 days, and they’ve come out fighting. What a Derby it’s been, and what a finish they gave us: a decent helping of drama right down to the last.

First to appear on the horizon between the finish line flags this morning was Bianca Farmas-Griffith (BFG). She’d left HS28 this morning with the other 5 riders sharing their last night out on the steppe together. All were mounted up and raring to go at 7AM, but waved goodbye to HS28 with a hint of sadness: this would be their final morning of packing up their sleeping bags and picking their steed...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-10-third-time-lucky/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 9 – Homeward bound

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
12th August 2025

While the battle for first place in the 2025 Mongol Derby may have been decided yesterday, Day 9 saw a whopping 19 more of our intrepid riders make it home to finish camp to complete the adventure of a lifetime. While 13 of those riders were still riding for a competitive placing, we were mighty proud to welcome 6 of our Adventure Class riders across the line too. Some were even reunited with family and friends for whom following along at home wasn’t enough. There were tears, there was signing, there were bear hugs and emotional reunions. Welcome home, legends. Time to party...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-9-homeward-bound/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 8 – Better together

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
11th August 2025

Eight days after thundering across the 2025 Mongol Derby start line, four exceptional equestrianists have come full circle to boomerang back to finish camp. Having fought tooth and nail for the crown over the last 1,000km of high speed chasing across the steppe, they eventually elected to prioritise camaraderie over competition and crossed the line together. Behold, our 2025 Mongol Derby Joint Champions: Brit Anna Boden (ABO), American Michael Pollard (MPO) and brothers in arms from the UAE Eisa Al Khayari (EAK) and Khalifa Al Hamed (KAH). An extraordinary end to an even more extraordinary Derby. Congratulations are in order, as they celebrate at start camp tonight with a long-awaited shower, some clean clothes and a cold beer. Cheers to you, champs...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-8-better-together/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 7 – Comeback kings

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
10th August 2025

Just when we thought the 2025 Mongol Derby couldn’t possibly get any more enthralling, Day 7 arrived on the scene to really crank up the drama. The weather may finally have broken to give our riders a break from the punishing heat, but the tension keeps on building. The slim glimmer of a lead eked out over his nearest rivals by Khalifa Al Hamed (KAH) yesterday has been swiftly extinguished, as he takes up residence this evening at HS25 along with three other indomitable jockeys. Anna Boden (ABO) and Michael Pollard (MPO) have teamed up to smash out a phenomenal day’s riding with some lucky draws just when they needed them, while Eisa Al Khayari (EAK) has ridden like a man possessed to – astonishingly – claw himself back up to share the lead from a 3 hour penalty. KAH, on the other hand, has been riding against the tide. All four will now line up to battle it out over the remaining four legs of the Derby course to (most likely – let’s not count any chickens) determine the victor of the 2025 Mongol Derby. Hold on to your hats, folks. This sprint finish is going right down to the wire...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-7-comeback-kings/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 6 – Riding solo

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
9th August 2025

Could Day 6 of the 2025 Mongol Derby finally have seen one rider open up some daylight between himself and the rest of the field? Up until now, a determined quintet of top class horsemen (including one plucky horsewoman) have been leapfrogging each other by minutes to hand the baton around between them at every station. Trying to keep up with the constant swapsies of the lead has left us majorly dizzy. But it looks like one rider might finally have clinched something of an advantage. Khalifa Al Hamed (KAH) has absolutely flown away from his closest rivals today, to storm through four horse stations riding solo and make it safely into HS22 this evening with just 4 minutes of riding time left to spare. It’s been a masterclass in pacing and astute navigation on another scorcher of a day. He finds himself all alone for the first time, spending the night a full horse station ahead of Anna Boden (ABO) and Michael Pollard (MPO) back at HS21. But, as we’ve seen time and time again over the course of this Derby, no lead is too great to be lost. With 7 more horse stations between KAH and the finish line, can he cling on for glory or will the jockeys behind him come back from the brink? It’s far from a done deal...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-6-riding-solo/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 5 – High five

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
8th August 2025

Horses and riders alike faced another scorcher out on the steppe on Day 5 of the 2025 Mongol Derby, as yesterday’s cooler climes gave way once again to cloudless skies. The heat was back on, and the pressure building. As our five leaders hit the fast, flat and mercifully straight legs between HS14 and HS18, they were thrashing it out to try to give each other the slip and establish a lead. But to no avail. It’s been a tense grapple for dominance, and nobody was ready to blink first. Until, finally, it all became too much for two riders: Dennis Alverson (DAL) and Eisa Al Khayari (EAK) fell victim to vet penalties at HS18 this evening, and will be delayed from riding out tomorrow morning. Michael Pollard (MPO), Anna Boden (ABO) and Khalifa Al Hamed (KAH) are cleared for lift off at 7AM, while DAL and EAK will be serving time behind Derby bars. KAH has a tough call to make overnight: stay loyal to his partner EAK, or go it alone and keep pace with the competition? 7AM on Day 6 could very well be a decisive moment in the showdown for the podium. Set your alarms folks: you don’t want to miss this one...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-5-high-five/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 4 – Arabian knights

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
7th August 2025

As we approach the halfway marker of the 2025 Mongol Derby, the battle for the lead rages on. Odds on the final victor remain too close to call at the close of Day 4, as the riders heading up the field toss the lead around between them like the proverbial hot potato. There’s nothing in it, but one thing’s for sure: last night’s downpour did nothing to dampen our riders’ competitive drive. They continue to eat up the course at a voracious pace, and we find ourselves with some new overnight leaders. Our Emirati endurance pros Eisa Al Khayari (EAK) and Khalifa Al Hamed (KAH) have proven themselves a tough act to follow. They’re now sitting pretty at the head of the field on the way into HS14, camped 3km ahead of their nearest rivals. If they can hit HS14 in the lead tomorrow, they reach a relatively flat, straight section of the course all the way to HS18. The dream racetrack for a pair of seriously experienced jockeys gunning to extend their lead in the Mongol Derby. If they partner with the right equine athletes, could they leave the chasing pack in the dust? It could all come down to luck of the horse draw...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-4-arabian-knights/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 3 – The winds of change

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
6th August 2025

Day 3 of the 2025 Mongol Derby has been one for the books. Barely had our nerves recovered from the rollercoaster ride that was Day 2 before our horde of 45 fearless equestrianists were at it again, causing widespread mayhem on their noble quest for the finish line. As the dust settles on our sparring riders and their battle-hardened mounts, two warriors remain locked in a deadly duel at the head of the race. Kami Bitting (KBI) and Sam Phelps (SPH) have both kept up their blistering pace to make it into HS10 tonight, but a last minute plot twist has blown the rankings wide open. KBI has been left licking her wounds overnight, as a vet penalty incurred on arrival at HS10 keeps her stuck there until 10AM tomorrow morning. SPH now finds himself leading the charge out of HS10 tomorrow bright and early, but will he handle the pressure of soldiering on alone or be swallowed up by the cavalry camping out just a few kilometres behind him?...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-3-the-winds-of-change/

UAE complete hat-trick of Young Horse Endurance World Championship titles

August 4 2025

Riding with unwavering consistency and backed by an incredible team, Saif Al Mazrouei helped the UAE to a third-straight FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses individual honour and a successful defence of the Teams title at Jullianges in France on Saturday.

One of the heavyweights on the distance-riding circuit, the UAE had won the 2023 and 2024 renewals, with Al Mazrouei making sure his calculated ride brought the defending champions a tenth overall success even as he himself claimed a second victory, 10 years after winning for the first time in 2015. 

A total of 82 rider-horse combinations from 25 countries set out to conquer the 120 km event for eight-year-old horses at Hippodrome de Jullianges, which is located at an altitude of 910 metres in a wooded forest commune in the picturesque French countryside 530 kms south of Paris and 131 kms east of Lyon. The high altitude and undulating terrain made the ride a tough proposition for the combinations involved with only 31 pairs eventually completing the four-loop ride.

And it was the UAE that secured the top two spots on the podium, with Al Mazrouei triumphing aboard Bullio Quasillo, the pair recording the fastest time of five hours 33 minutes and 21 seconds (5:33:21), which was 43 secs quicker than the second-placed UAE pairing of Essa Saeed Al Mazrouei and his mount Al Fatina who were home in 5:34:04.

Royal Endurance Team of Bahrain rider Sultan Mayoof Al Romaihi, who partnered Haqtar Du Carrelie, took third place on the podium with a time of 5:40:50.

Saif Al Mazrouei posted the second best time during the 35.5 km first loop and dropped three places to reach fifth during the course of the second loop that spanned the same distance. He picked up the pace during the third loop over 31 kms which allowed him to reclaim second on the leaderboard.

Starting the fourth and final loop over 20 kms, Saif found himself trailing countryman Essa Al Mazrouei by five seconds, but after a solid push and upping up the tempo on Bullio Quasillo by nearly 9 kph, he was able to set a lead of his own and overcame his compatriot comfortably.

The UAE claimed the Team championship as well after Rashed Saeed Al Malhoof claimed fifth place aboard Heracles Feuillee.

Congratulating the team on the success, Sheikh Rashed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “I would like to congratulate our nation’s great leadership, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, for their relentless support and guidance which has helped the UAE reach great heights in the sport of endurance internationally. 

“Our victory in the FEI Endurance Championship for Young Horses is a testament to the exceptional skill, unwavering dedication and outstanding horsemanship. The UAE Team has always displayed immense grit and unshakable determination in the pursuit of success at the highest level and by winning the championship for the third-straight year we have raised the bar and set a new standard of excellence for the rest to follow."

Ahmed Rashed Al Kaabi, Acting General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club and Chief d’Equipe of the UAE Team, added: “I would like extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum for their incredible backing for endurance and leading the UAE riders by example. They have inspired generations of the youngsters to achieve the best results, which has propelled the UAE forward and turned the country into one of the powerhouses in the sport.

“The UAE Team has worked really hard, and shown great courage and unity to bring glory to the country. Their teamwork truly shone through the entire event and we have earned every bit of this victory. I couldn’t be prouder.”

About Dubai Equestrian Club

Established in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Equestrian Club is a world leader in the sport of endurance riding and a pioneer when it comes to organising competitions in the United Arab Emirates at its purpose-built, state-of-the-art Dubai International Endurance City. Its annual calendar is headlined by two globally-renowned events: the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival.

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 2 – The huntswoman becomes the hunted

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
5th August 2025

The clock has stopped on Day 2 on the 2025 Mongol Derby, and the tension on the steppe has soared along with the mercury. Jockeys at the head of the race have been locked in a fierce battle of wills for poll position coming into Day 3, but it’s Kami Bitting (KBI) who has emerged victorious from the fray. Finding herself roughly halfway between HS6 and HS7 this evening at the close of riding hours, she is bedding down for the night in the most glamorous of steppe establishments: a 5-star goat shed. Over the past two days she has already put on a frankly intimidating display of masterful horsemanship, ruthless efficiency and flawless navigating. Make no mistake, this professional huntswoman has her quarry firmly in her sights: the 2025 Mongol Derby crown.

Impressive her dash for daylight may have been, but she’s by no means out of the woods yet...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-2-the-huntswoman-becomes-the-hunted/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Day 1 – A fork in the road

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
4th August 2025

Day 1 of the 2025 Mongol Derby has drawn to a nail biting close. Since thundering across the start line at around 11AM Mongolian time this morning as a pack of 45 strong, our field has already covered some serious ground to spread out across the steppe. The gauntlet has been well and truly laid down by four early contenders for the lead, the gap between them too close to call. Anna Boden (ABO) and Bertie Siggers (BSI) appear to have formed a dynamic duo, having ridden side by side since shortly out of the start gates on a pair of perfectly matching dark bays to storm up the course. Riding similarly impressive debut days were Sam Phelps (SPH) and Kami Bitting (KBI), who have banded together since riding out of HS2. The quartet had been in the lead pack all day, until a dramatic turn of events at HS2: SPH and KBI turned on their hocks to shoot out of the station back the way they had come straight into the incoming tide of riders behind them, while ABO and BSI rocketed off in the opposite direction. The pairs have each found a hospitable family to accommodate them for their first night out in the wilds of the steppe, but whose navigational nous will give them the edge coming into HS3 tomorrow, and will these nascent partnerships last? It’s all to play for...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-day-1-a-fork-in-the-road/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Pre-Race Training Day 3 – Ready for lift off

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
3rd August 2025

Bootcamp for our intrepid cohort of Mongol Derby 2025 riders has drawn to a close, and we’re delighted to report that all 45 of our contenders have passed with flying colours. Briefings complete, saddlebags packed and one last sleep in an actual bed to go, we are satisfied that they’re as ready as they’ll ever be to strap themselves into the Derby rollercoaster. While a few more riders briefly parted company with their horses today, all are in one piece and currently tucked up asleep, dreaming sweet dreams of imminent Derby glory. A relatively smooth (albeit sweltering) day by Derby standards, even blessed by the timely arrival of two riders’ errant baggage. An auspicious way to wrap up Start Camp, but who will have had all the luck to take an early lead this time tomorrow? Make sure you’re tuned into our socials at 10am(ish) Mongolian time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: blast off for the 2025 Mongol Derby.

Riders awoke today to another morning of blazing sunshine for their last day of bootcamp. A delight for most, but a rude awakening for some. A few bleary eyed members of the field and crew were last spotted in the early hours of the morning performing a passionate rendition of Ginuwine’s “Pony” and rocking a disco-ball crash helmet after plundering the Start Camp bar. We applaud their appropriate choice of equine-themed anthem for this important rider and crew bonding ritual. A few rejuvenating showers later this morning, and everybody was ready to face the day. On the agenda: a medical briefing, the course run-down and one final test ride complete with fully packed saddlebag...

read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-pre-race-training-day-3-ready-for-take-off/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Pre-Race Training Day 2 – X marks the spot

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
3rd August 2025

Day 2 of Pre-Race Training on the 2025 Mongol Derby dawned bright and sunny, with not a cloud in the endless steppe skies. Our riders leapt out of bed like children on Christmas morning. Today was the day: their long awaited first brush with the mythical Mongolian horse. But Santa had some tricks up his sleeve with these gift horses. While some riders took flight on perfect ponies, others returned back down to earth with a rather hard bump. Bootcamp has well and truly begun, and our riders have had a real taste of what the steppe has in store. With just one more day of training to go before they set off to tackle the longest and toughest horse race in the world, we take a look at how they’ve fared today.

But before we let our jockeys anywhere near an actual horse, we thought it best to give them a bit of an education on how to pilot their steeds in vaguely the right direction. While horsemanship talent is obviously a pretty useful skill out on the steppe, navigational nous comes a very close second. Riders in the Derby are completely responsible for navigating themselves between the Horse Stations which make up the checkpoints along the 1,000km Derby course. They must ride from HS1 to HS2 to HS3 and so forth in the correct order until they finally reach the finish line at HS29, but the route they pick between each of those stations is entirely their own problem...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-pre-race-training-day-2-x-marks-the-spot/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Pre-Race Training Day 1 – The red carpet rolls out

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
1st August 2025

All those Derby dreams are finally starting to feel alarmingly real. Our 45 contenders for the 2025 Mongol Derby crown are now safely bedded down for their first evening out on the steppe in Mongol Derby Start Camp. In just three days’ time on Monday 4 August, they’ll be exploding off the start line of the 2025 Mongol Derby. Ahead of them lies a weekend of action-packed Derby bootcamp, led by our crack team of Derby veterans and crew. Start Camp Day 1 may not have involved much more than a lengthy bus ride and rider weigh-in, but a couple of hopefuls are already facing the first challenge to their Derby campaign: the perils of the Ulaanbaatar airport lost luggage system.

Our jockeys rose bright and early this morning, gathering together in Ulaanbaatar to hail their first ride of the Derby: the bus to Start Camp. A good test of the reserves of endurance and patience to be drawn on in the 10 days to come, all passed with flying colours. Photographer Kathy was on hand to document the first moments of their Derby journey. Uta Hesterberg (UHE) reported feeling “excited, nervous, petrified and elated” – a pretty accurate summary of the classic pre-Derby jitters. Our 2022 joint Gaucho Derby champion Anna Boden (ABO) was an exception. Introducing herself rather confidently as “rank: legend”, she leaped on the bus while expressing her hope to minimise the saddle sores this time round...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-pre-race-training-day-1-the-red-carpet-rolls-out/

Mongol Derby 2025 – Rider rollcall

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
28th July 2025

Hello, Derby fans. We meet again. At long last, the wait is over. It’s been an agonisingly slow, dreary year since our 2024 Mongol Derby riders galloped across the finish line somewhere in the Mongolian wilds. But never fear: the Derby drought is almost over. In just a week’s time on the 4th of August 2025, the start flag will go down on the 14th official Mongol Derby and we’ll all be saved from existential boredom by another 10 days of Derby thrills and spills.

While the crew are busy scrubbing tack, charging GPS trackers and herding up champion racehorses from across the land, riders are beginning to descend on Ulaanbaatar. Months – if not years – of careful preparation are about to be put to the test in the longest and toughest horse race on the planet. Over 1,000km of self-navigated racing across the untamed Mongolian steppe, atop just marginally more tame horses.

As these intrepid adventurers wing their way to start camp from far flung corners of the globe laden with copious quantities of anti-chafing cream, you may be asking yourself: just what kind of screw must you have loose to take on this monumental equine adventure? We’ve been wondering that ourselves, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to introduce you to the cast of the 2025 Mongol Derby: behold, the riders...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2025-rider-rollcall/

FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses ready to test tomorrow’s stars in the hills of Haute-Loire

Inside.FEI.org - Full story

30 July 2025 Author: Bella Fricker

The FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses is set to take place for the first time in the stunning hills of Haute-Loire, France. This prestigious 120-kilometre event will bring together the world’s most promising young horses and their human partners to compete over a course that tests endurance, skill, and partnership. Excitement is building among competitors and spectators alike as they look forward to a memorable championship in this beautiful new setting.

Terrain and Technicality

Athletes will face a technically varied course designed with the development of young horses in mind. “The terrain alternates between hard, rocky tracks, dirt trails and grass paths,” explains Event Director Yves Cuerq (FRA). “Most of the route runs under the canopy of trees, offering welcome shade, and while there are rolling hills to test both horse and rider, there are no overly severe obstacles.”

To protect the young equine athletes, the course has been carefully marked and modified where needed to ensure comfortable conditions for all – equine and human athletes, their teams, and the public. “We’ve worked closely with officials and technical delegates to adjust both the start and finish areas,” Cuerq notes. “Our goal was a track that is sufficiently technical to challenge the competitors, but not so simple that it encourages excessive speeds. Each junction is manned by a security officer, and directional arrows and painted markings will remain in place permanently, thanks to our partners in the local authorities.”

Ground preparation has been meticulous...

Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/fei-endurance-world-championship-young-horses-ready-test-tomorrow%E2%80%99s-stars-hills-haute-loire

Fieldbrook native Jenn Laidlaw heads to Mongolia for ‘longest and toughest horse race on Earth’

Times-Standard.com - Full Article

By Robert Schaulis July 23, 2025

Next month, Humboldt County’s Jenn Laidlaw is slated to be the first Lost Coast local ever to compete in the Mongol Derby.

A 1,000-kilometer (more-than-600-mile) journey across the Mongolian steppe, the Mongol Derby is billed as “the longest and toughest horse race on Earth.” Riders mount semi-feral horses each day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and traverse contours of the country that messengers in the employ of Genghis Khan rode nearly 900 years ago.

“There’s no marked course, no packed lunches, no beds to sleep in,” the event’s website reads. “That’s the whole point. It’s just you, your team of horses and a thousand kilometers of Mongolian wilderness. The course consists of horse stations (morin urtuu in Mongolian) at 35-kilometer intervals where you swap your horse and refuel. You change horses at every station and deliver your mounts to the next in great health. How you navigate between them is where your adventure begins.”

The course-sponsoring organization, the Equestrianists, says it hopes to “deliver the greatest equine adventure in the world: high passes, huge valleys, wooded hills, river crossings, wetland, dunes and of course open steppe.”

It’s a far cry from Fieldbrook, the community just northeast of McKinleyville...

Read more here:
https://www.times-standard.com/2025/07/23/fieldbrook-native-jenn-laidlaw-heads-to-mongolia-for-longest-and-toughest-horse-race-on-earth/

Wyoming Rider embarks on toughest horse race in world

JHNewsandguide.com - Full Article

By Kyle Leverone / Sports Editor Jul 16, 2025

Two years ago Haley Fitzgerald signed up for next month’s Mongol Derby while lying in bed.

She had just experienced a horse riding accident and suffered a number of back, head and leg injuries rendering her non-weight bearing for four months. And in her immoble state she decided that she needed to set a goal to get her mind and body back to full form.

Now, she is 18 days away from setting out on the world’s longest and toughest horse race, traveling across 1,000 kilometers of Mongolia.

Fitzgerald grew up riding horses in Virginia but has been living in Jackson for 11 years. She has eight horses and owns Spruced Plume, a business where she sells accessories made of the byproducts — feathers and hides — of her hunts.

Early in her equestrian career, she became proficient in English-style riding but has learned more of the Western way since moving to Wyoming. Fitzgerald spends much of her time on horseback hunting big game in the fall and frequently going on multi-day trips with her horses.

In three weeks, she’ll embark on the multi-day trip of her life...

Read more here:
https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/sports/outdoors/rider-embarks-on-toughest-horse-race-in-world/article_1baad5fa-de70-4b46-8470-2a13eca62cb5.html

Australia: Riding into endurance record books

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

20/07/2025
Erle Levey

We’re not in Kansas anymore … it’s the famous line from The Wizard of OZ in which Dorothy explains to her dog Toto where they have ended up after a tornado transports them from their home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz.

The same could be said of Widgee endurance horse rider and trainer Gayle Holmes.

At Imbil on the weekend Gayle passed the 30,000km mark in her recorded rides with Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA).

That’s about 10 times the distance from London to Athens. … and three times the distance from Queensland to Kansas – the site of one of her most memorable rides.

Gayle has been riding since 1990 and only four others have achieved the 30,000km milestone in Australia – Meg Wade, Kristie Taprell, Allan Caslick and Jennifer Gilbertson...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/20-07-2025/riding-into-endurance-record-books/

USA Endurance Secures Individual Podium Finish in Junior/Young Rider Championship at 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championships

USEF.org

by Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Jul 19, 2025, 9:23 AM

Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil - The U.S. Endurance Team successfully finished three horse-and-athlete combinations through the 120km ride at the 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championship hosted at Haras Albar, in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. The U.S. Endurance Team was led by Team Chef d’Equipe Lisanne Dorion and supported by Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, and Team Leader Nicole Zerbee.

“Across varying terrain and excellent conditions, the U.S. athletes performed in line with expectations,” said Lisanne Dorian, USA Endurance Chef d'Equipe.

Avery Betz-Conway (Kingsland, Ga.) finished as the highest placed U.S. combination individually, taking third overall in the Young Rider Championships with her mount Zendaya Rach, a 2015 Arabian mare owned by Rach Stud Agropecuaria. The pair earned the first medal for U.S. Endurance at a Pan American or World Championship since 2011.

The 120km championship trail consisted of four loops, ranging from 20km to 36.5km, featuring undulating terrain across the Brazilian country, designed to challenge both the endurance, stamina, and horsemanship of the competing horse-and-athlete combinations. At the conclusion of each loop, the horses were inspected and checked by the official competition veterinarians to ensure peak physical condition before returning to the rest of the trail.

“Zendaya Rach knew her job all day long and performed like a true professional,” said Betz-Conway. “We have been training together for the last two months and she gave me 200% every step of the way. I’m so grateful for her and the huge support system we had around us. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Heather Davis (The Plains, Va.) and HM Kaiser Tesla, a 2016 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Haras Paso Manzanero, finished inside the top ten individually in the Senior Championship, taking ninth place overall, marking their first top ten finish at the championship level. Thomas Rajala (Hillsborough, N.C.) and Valente Heb, a 2009 Arabian gelding owned by Fernando De Mello Mattos Haaland, finished eleventh overall.

See results and more at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/usa-endurance-secures-individual-podium-finish-in

Costanza Laliscia: the young Italian equestrian endurance champion

Sport.quotidiano.net - Full Article

Costanza Laliscia, endurance champion, talks about her passion for horses and the sacrifices she makes for success.

di FRANCESCA MENCACCI
18 giugno 2025

Costanza Laliscia has always collected titles. The list of successes is very long, as is the list of sacrifices made to be at the highest levels. "But I would do it all again, I can't imagine myself without sport", she says. Daughter of art, she inherited from her father Gianluca, world champion in 2005, the passion for horses and endurance, a discipline that requires rigor, effort but that develops great sensitivity. European Endurance Champion in 2019, in 2016, Costanza, at just 16 years old, became the youngest Italian Absolute Champion in the history of equestrian endurance. In total, she has won 10 Italian championships and many top-prestige international competitions in a truly rare list of achievements. Costanza has already worn the jersey of the Italian National Team 10 times and today, at 25 years old, she is the most prominent young woman in the panorama of the discipline, inside and outside Europe. "I was born among horses – she explains – I come from a family where sport is our daily bread, for us it is a lifestyle. Competitions make me feel alive, present, they give me the motivation to work hard every day"...

Read more here:
https://sport.quotidiano.net/altri-sport/costanza-laliscia-la-giovane-campionessa-5b479ebb

Australia: A remarkable life

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

05/07/2025
Erle Levey

The word legend can often be easily bandied about, but in Bob Sample’s case it reflects what he has done in life – particularly in endurance horse-riding circles.

Yet there is so much more to Bob and his legacy.

It reminds you that through the years you can regularly deal with people, but it is only when you set aside time to really talk with them, and listen, that you discover the full depth of their life.

Even now, in his 80s, Bob has been surprised at how little he knows about the early lives of mates … friendships built up over years in various sporting arenas and careers.

From jackaroo to board chairman, from working with dairy cattle to horses, he has led a full life.

Sitting on the deck at Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Centre at Imbil, Bob and I were watching the riders come in from an event.

There was that far-away look in his eyes as he recalled past rides...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/05-07-2025/a-remarkable-life/

A Golden Bond: How Marijke Visser and Chaitana Became European Champions

FEI.org - Full Story

27 June 2025
Stacey Stearns

How the Dutch athlete rode to glory in Castiglione del Lago...

Marijke Visser and her 13-year-old bay mare, Chaitana des Chaises, did not just win gold at the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 – they earned it stride by stride, through years of relentless dedication, trust and quiet determination.

At Castiglione del Lago (ITA), the Dutch pair etched their names into the history books with a breathtaking performance that captured Individual gold and helped secure a Team bronze for the Netherlands. Forged through long miles, early mornings, and an unshakable bond, their victory was not just a result, but a reward – the culmination of a journey built on loyalty, grit and grace.

“When we reached the last kilometres, I asked Chaitana to take the lead,” Marijke told FEI.org. “She knew it was showtime. I was still trying to control her speed, but she took over the game. Chaitana won the gold for us. She made us so proud”

A shared triumph

That final stretch was the climax of a 160km journey through the rolling Umbrian countryside of Castiglione del Lago (ITA). The pair had remained in the leading pack throughout the six demanding loops. As they floated into the recovery and Vetting Area for their final veterinary inspection, Chaitana’s ears pricked forward as her bright eyes surveyed the scene, and Visser’s wide smile reflected their shared triumph. The moment was marked by hugs and tears as Visser thanked Chaitana, her crew, and everyone who had supported their journey. It was a first-ever championship gold for the Dutch athlete, who had previously won silver medals at the Worlds and Europeans...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/golden-bond-how-marijke-visser-and-chaitana-became-european-champions

US Equestrian Announces Athletes Selected to Represent U.S. Endurance Team for 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Jun 26, 2025

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athlete and horse combinations selected to represent the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders. The championship will take place in Buftea, Romania, on September 20, 2025.

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

• Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) and Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk

• AnnaMaria Clarke (Davis, Va.) and Southern Justice, a 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina) owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller

• Alternate: Summerr Gold, a 2016 Half Arabian mare (Finish Golden x LM Parys) owned by Valerie Kanavy

• Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) and Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis

• Uma Kraskin (Deland, Fla.) and Maggies Nchanted Pipi, a 2011 Arabian mare (FSF Dakaros Enchanter x Whizlin Comets Maggie) owned by Evelyn Baig

• Alternate: Zaed Al Shaqab, a 2012 Arabian gelding (Gazal Al Shaqab x WN Star Dynasty) owned by Stephen Rojek

• Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) and Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder

Competition Information:

The 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders begins with the opening ceremony taking place at 6:00 pm GMT+3/11:00 a.m. EST on September 18. The competition will begin with pre-ride horse inspections at 12:00 p.m. GMT+3/5:00 a.m. EST on September 19 and conclude with Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony at 12:00 pm GMT+3/5:00 a.m. EST on September 21.

More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-athletes-selected-to-2

Oman's HH Sayyid Ali Al Said seals FEI Endurance World Championship berth in AlUla

Timesofoman.com - Full Article

22/June/2025
By: Times News Service

MUSCAT: Oman’s endurance rider His Highness Sayyid Ali Ghalib al Said secured a slot in the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship finals which will take place in AlUla city in Saudi Arabia next year following his successful completion of the prestigious Buchen 160km international endurance race in Germany recently.

The race, conducted under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), was a crucial qualification milestone and a challenging test for elite riders. This marks the second time that HH Sayyid Ali officially qualified for the World Endurance Championship finals and it is showcasing his remarkable presence on the global endurance stage. HH Sayyid Ali completed the six-phase 160 km course which was divided into several segments including 35 km, 25 km, 35 km, 25 km, 20 km, and 20 km in aboard through horse Attila with a timing of 10 hours, 23 minutes, and 20 seconds...

Read more here:
https://timesofoman.com/article/159528-hh-sayyid-ali-al-said-seals-fei-endurance-world-championship-berth-in-alula

Oman Royal Cavalry riders qualify for World Endurance Championship

TimesOfOman.com - Full Article

21/June/2025
by ONA

Paris: Horse riders Saleh bin Salim Al Balushi and Hussain bin Ali Al Farsi from the Royal Cavalry (RC) have qualified for the World Endurance Championship 2026, scheduled in Al Ula City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The two riders have qualified in the competition at the French Compiegne Horse -racing organised by the World Equestrian Federation for 160 kilometres.

The race saw tough competitions and a wide participation of horse riders from different countries competing in six stages; the first for 32 kilometres, the second for 30 kilometres, the third for 28 kilometres, the fourth for 21 kilometres, the fifth for 28 kilometres and the sixth for 21 kilometres...

Read more here:
https://timesofoman.com/article/159513-royal-cavalry-riders-qualify-for-world-endurance-championship

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/

UAE Team puts on stunning overall show at Royal Windsor Endurance

Saif Al Mazrouei

May 17 2025

Windsor, Great Britain: Colours of the United Arab Emirates flag fluttered

gloriously in British sunshine on Friday after Team UAE put on a dominant show to

reclaim the CEI3* 160 km ride at Royal Windsor Endurance.

The ride was the feature among three international events that made up the 2025

Royal Windsor Endurance programme and the UAE team performed splendidly as

MRM Stables’ Saif Al Mazrouei clinched a second victory at the event, nine years

after his first in 2016, with a commanding performance in the saddle of Bullio

Quasillo, trained by Bhanwar Singh. The pair held top spot on the leaderboard over

the five loops to win in seven hours, 19 minutes and 34 seconds having raced at an

average speed of 21.84 kph.

Al Mazrouei finished 16 seconds ahead of UAE counterpart Saeed Hamoud Al

Khayari, the 2017 winner, who partnered M7 Endurance Stables’ Dragon Feuillee,

trained by Saeed Ahmad Al Shamsi. While Al Khayari remained rooted to second

throughout, Bahrain’s Fahad Helal Al Khatri held on to third place all the way

aboard Fizz Fageole.

Royal Windsor Endurance is part of the larger Royal Windsor Horse Show and

attracts an impressive international field of horses, riders, trainers, grooms and

support crew. Running alongside the CEI3* competition were the CEI2* and CEI1*

rides over 120 and 100 km courses, respectively.

Al Mazrouei’s victory marked a seventh success for Team UAE in 12 editions of

Royal Windsor Endurance since its commencement in 2013 and further cemented the UAE’s position as the most successful nation in the history of the event, which in 2014 was won by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Defence.

Bahrain were not to be denied in the CEI2* 120 km ride won by Saud Mubarak on

Geronimo Du Sauveterr. That podium was completed by a pair of Emirati riders

representing M7 Endurance Stables - Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Bastaki (SW Ielchik)

and Essa Rashed Al Mazrouei (SW Inkarient). The CEI1* 100 km competition was

won by Frenchwoman Lea Vandekerckhove on Balkan Biliska AA, a horse provided

by F3 Stables. She finished ahead of a pair of Emirati riders, both from F3 Stables,

Rashid Mohammed Al Baloushi, who took second on Dorkkan De Fignols, and MRM Stables Manal Abdulla Al Balooshi, who placed third on Bullio Charles.

Royal Windsor Endurance enjoys a unique setting through Windsor Great Park with

riders departing at the crack of dawn to tackle routes that take competitors through

stunning scenery and iconic sites including the Copper Horse, Long Walk, the Philip

Jackson equestrian statue of Queen Elizabeth II and Smith’s Lawn, known for

hosting top flight polo action. The course tested rider-horse pairings over different

terrain including woodland tracks, grassland, water and roadways, as well as

varying light levels through often dense tree coverage.

Commenting on the win Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of

Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “It is with immense pride and heartfelt admiration that

I congratulate the UAE team on their outstanding victory at Royal Windsor

Endurance.

“This prestigious competition is steeped in history as it is held in the iconic settings

of Windsor Great Park in the UK and was often witnessed by the late Queen

Elizabeth II. This sport is a true test of endurance, skill, and reveals the deep

connection between horse and rider. For the UAE team to emerge victorious on this

global stage is not just a testament to their athletic excellence, but to their discipline, preparation, and unwavering spirit.

“This win adds another glorious chapter to the UAE’s legacy in the world of

international endurance riding which was built on the glories achieved by its 

passionate leaders like HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-

President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime

Minister of the UAE and Minister of Defence. Sheikh Mohammed won the FEI World Endurance Championship in 2012 and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed won this event in 2014 and their legacy continues through this present generation of riders that have been thoroughly inspired and supported by them.”

Ahmed Al Kaabi, Acting General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, who was also

the Chef d’Equipe of UAE team, added: “Our riders demonstrated not only physical

endurance but also strategic brilliance and true sportsmanship. Their performance

reflected the highest values of Emirati equestrian tradition — commitment to

excellence, respect for the horse, and pride in representing the nation.

“Bahrain have always been strong contenders and they challenged fiercely, but our

trainers from MRM, M7 and F3 Stables had their strategy in place and their plans

were perfect to make this one of the biggest wins of all time as we dominated the

main event and made sure to be on the podium in the other two races as well.

“I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the trainers, veterinary

teams, support staff, and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes. Victories like these are never achieved alone and they are the result of a collective effort driven by passion and unity and we hope it serves as an inspiration to our younger riders and as a symbol of what can be achieved when preparation meets determination.”

ABOUT DUBAI EQUESTRIAN CLUB

Established in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Equestrian

Club is a world leader in the sport of endurance riding and a pioneer when it comes

to organising competitions in the United Arab Emirates at its purpose-built, state-of-

the-art Dubai International Endurance City. Its annual calendar is headlined by two

globally-renowned events: the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Endurance Festival and Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival.

SaeedAlKhayari

Faster, Higher, Further: How Julie Curchod is Excelling in Jumping and Endurance

FEI.org - Full Story

05 May 2025
Words by Stacey Stearns
Photos courtesy of Julie and Véronique Curchod

The promising Swiss athlete is gaining recognition in both disciplines...

Julie Curchod is redefining what it means to be a young equestrian athlete, balancing the precision of Jumping with the stamina of Endurance at the FEI level.

The 17-year-old Swiss athlete (the central athlete in the main image) is making a name for herself in both disciplines and full of confidence. With a strong equestrian background, and full of energy and enthusiasm, young Julie seems destined for big things.

The two disciplines differ, but Julie sees this as an advantage. Jumping’s technical aspects have helped her progress quickly in Endurance, while Endurance training has deepened her understanding of equine fitness and recovery.

She said: “It’s interesting to compare the similarities and differences between them.

“In Jumping, I want to go as far as I can – we’ll see what the future holds. In Endurance, I want to compete in more championships, improve our results, and have fun...”

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/faster-higher-further-how-julie-curchod-excelling-jumping-and-endurance

How Consistency Leads to Success for Estonia’s Katriin Kalle

FEI.org - Full Story

08 April 2025
Words by Stacey Stearns
Photos courtesy of Katriin Kalle

We speak to a young athlete who is making a big impression in Endurance...

Katriin Kalle of Estonia is the definition of consistency. Recognised by her national federation for four consecutive years and having completed five FEI Championships with her horse, Mister Tondi, she is proof that dedication leads to success.

The 20-year-old is moving up through the age groups – and raising her standards with every step.

As a result, there has been a steady flow of accolades. Her outstanding performances saw her named Estonia’s best Endurance Pony rider in 2019, best Junior rider in 2021 and 2022, and best Young Rider in 2023.

“This recognition is based on season standings and reflects a rider’s consistency,” she said. “In Endurance, I always focus on the motto: ‘To finish is to win.’ Ensuring a happy and healthy horse is more important than winning...”

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/how-consistency-leads-success-estonias-katriin-kalle

New Zealand: National horse endurance riders to race through Marlborough vineyards

ThePress.co.nz - Full Article

Andy Brew
April 23, 2025

Nearly 100 horses and their riders will race over hundreds of kilometres around Renwick’s vineyards this Anzac weekend in the equestrian endurance national championships.

Competitors from across the country will join riders from Marlborough as they trot, canter and gallop their way along courses of up to 160km long in the 2025 Radincon Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) Endurance & CTR National Championships.

ESNZ’s Dr Danni Mulrennan said horse endurance was the “marathon version” of equestrian competitions with competitors setting off about 1am and not finishing until as late as 6pm the same day.

“They will do 40km, then they’ll come in, they’ll take their saddles off, and vets will monitor the horse’s heart rate and then hose them down,” she said...

Read more here:
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360663107/national-horse-endurance-riders-race-through-marlborough-vineyards

UAE: 2024-2025 endurance racing season attracts 444 riders

TribuneIndia.com - Full Article

A total of 444 riders, both men and women, participated in the two endurance qualifier races held on Saturday at the Butheeb International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi, marking the conclusion of the 2024-2025 endurance racing season.

by ANI
Apr 19, 2025

Abu Dhabi [UAE], April 19 (ANI/ WAM): A total of 444 riders, both men and women, participated in the two endurance qualifier races held on Saturday at the Butheeb International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi, marking the conclusion of the 2024-2025 endurance racing season.

The first race, covering a distance of 80 km over three phases, saw the participation of 175 riders, out of which 120 completed the race, while 55 were eliminated due to their horses failing to pass the veterinary checkpoints.

The second race, spanning 40 km, featured 269 riders, with 236 successfully completing the course, while 33 were unable to finish...

Read more here:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/2024-2025-endurance-racing-season-attracts-444-riders/

Tribute to Becky Hart: Champion Endurance Athlete and Equestrian Educator

Bob Langrish photo

USEF.org

As an athlete, coach, and leader in the sport, Becky Hart had a profound impact on endurance riding in the U.S. and around the world. Hart passed away on February 28, 2025, at age 71.

During her competitive career, Hart (San Juan Bautista, Calif.) was a dominant force in the sport, highlighted by her winning a remarkable three individual FEI Endurance World Championships in a row in 1988, 1990, and 1992. She won these titles with R.O. Grand Sultan, the Arabian gelding who was later inducted into the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Hall of Fame. With “Rio,” Hart also helped the U.S. win FEI Endurance World Championship team silver medals in 1986 and 1992. Her incredible achievements led to her being named AHSA Equestrian of the Year in 1990. To this day, the Becky Grand Hart Trophy is awarded annually by US Equestrian to Equestrian of the Year finalists from international non-Olympic sports.

Hart also had a phenomenal record in national endurance rides, including two wins in the Western States Trail Ride, better known as the Tevis Cup. She was the AERC National Champion twice and was inducted into the AERC Hall of Fame in 1992.

With her record as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes and her longtime experience as a riding instructor and coach, Hart was a natural choice to help lead the U.S. Endurance Teams on the international stage. She served as Chef d’Equipe for many years, including for several FEI World Championships in the 2000s.

While Hart’s involvement in elite endurance was an undeniable asset to the sport in the U.S., her love of horses and talent for teaching reached far beyond her high-profile positions. She was a certified Centered Riding instructor and shared her expertise teaching riding and horsemanship to all levels, from brand-new beginners to advanced equestrians, at her home base in California. The enthusiasm she brought to her students came from her own lifelong experience as a lover of all things equine; her earliest equestrian experiences were riding lessons, Pony Club, and local horse shows in all disciplines beginning at age 6.

US Equestrian extends heartfelt condolences to Hart’s family, friends, and the endurance community. The Federation is grateful for her lifetime of contributions to the sport.

Magma Aviation and Intradco Global team up to transport 34 endurance horses

AirCargoWeek.com - Full Article

March 10, 2025

Magma Aviation, the innovative air cargo solutions company, and Intradco Global, the leading horse transportation air charter specialist, have successfully transported 34 endurance horses from Liège (Belgium) to AlUla (Saudi Arabia) for the AlFursan Endurance Cup. Held in AlUla, in the heart of the desert, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this prestigious event offers the highest prize money in the sport and showcases the pinnacle of endurance riding. Both companies demonstrated their expertise in equine logistics and dedication to animal welfare throughout this operation.

Endurance horses are extremely valuable and clients’ expectations for such transportation are always based on the highest standards. The companies transporting racehorses must ensure the best service and care to guarantee all goes smoothly. The client, ordering endurance horses transportation from Magma Aviation and Intradco Global, was highly pleased with the level of service, from the first encounter to the safe arrival of the horses...

Read more here:
https://aircargoweek.com/magma-aviation-and-intradco-global-team-up-to-transport-34-endurance-horses/

New Zealand: Horse prevails in Central Otago's Only Fools and Horses race

RNZ.co.nz

3 March 2025
Joe Shaw
joe.shaw@rnz.co.nz

Four legs have - unsurprisingly - triumphed over two in the inaugural Only Fools and Horses race in Central Otago at the weekend.

The race started as an idea tossed around at the pub, but on Saturday more than 50 runners and 26 horses and riders tackled the 40-kilometre race through the rugged terrain of Maniototo.

Jorja James and her horse Ruby were victorious with a time of about two hours and 50 minutes.

But James praised the runners for their efforts as they remained snapping at the heels - or should that be hoofs - of their four-legged competitors.

"The runners did really well. I was actually so impressed by the runners - I could not run 40 kilometres any day," James said...

Read more here:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543576/horse-prevails-in-central-otago-s-only-fools-and-horses-race

MRM and Al Mazrouei make Magic in Dubai's feature HH Sheikh Mohammed Cup

February 22 2025

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival drew to a close at Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Al Salam on Saturday with a tactically-astute performance from MRM Stables that resulted in a famous success for Saif Al Mazrouei aboard Magic Glenn Torque in the feature HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup sponsored by Emirates Airlines.

One of the most prestigious competitions on the world endurance calendar, the festival was held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a former World Endurance Champion himself and one of the world’s most ardent supporters and benefactors of equestrian sport. The five-day Festival, organised by Dubai Equestrian Club, comprised four rides, with the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup drawing the curtains down on a frenzied week of competition that saw Al Mazrouei claim a second title in as many rides following his success aboard Bullio Ahnu in the Gamilati Cup for Mares sponsored by Al Tayer Motors on Thursday.

Victory in the Gamilati was a fine achievement, but it is the 160 km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup that truly tests the skill, stamina and ability of both horse and rider, with the background support of the teams crucial throughout the five-loop contest. And it is in the big ones where the Bhanwar Singh-trained Magic Glenn Torque has time and again proved his class. It was much the same from the 14-year-old bay gelding on Saturday as he played his part in Al Mazrouei keeping close to the summit throughout the day, starting with fifth behind Spain’s Marc Vila Sabata, who led after the 40 km first stage aboard M7 Endurance Stables’ Malikan Wajir 13.

Even as the Spaniard held sway over the first three loops, Al Mazrouei and his mount dropped to eighth and found themselves up at sixth at the end of the third. Sabata dropping out of contention during the course of the fourth loop spanning 30 kms, witnessed F3 Stables pair of Sultan Aref Mohsen and Colorado Armor emerging as leaders heading into the fifth and final loop over 20 kms.

Al Mazrouei, meanwhile, would be making his bid from fourth, two minutes and 35 seconds behind the pace. But as he turned up the heat and went all out at a staggering 31.26kph, the Emirati ace cruised past the rest of his rivals to win, a 16 second buffer separating him from second-placed M7 Endurance Stables pair of Saif Juma Al Beljafla and Lalick De Fignols, who started the day at 20th and made consistent upward moves to finish the runners-up.

Al Mazrouei’s winning time was six hours 20 minutes and 31 seconds (6:20:31), while second placed Beljafla was timed at 6:20:47. Third place was claimed by Al Aasfa 2 pairing of Ali Abdulla Al Falasi and Goliath Larzac (6:20:55).

The first two events on the festival’s schedule, the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for Ladies sponsored by Azizi Developments and the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for Private Stables were won by Seeh Al Salam’s Omani rider Zamzam Al Hosani (Dorzok) and Al Awasif 2 Stables’ Ali Mohammed Qambar Al Blooshi (Sandine Raptor), respectively.

ABOUT DUBAI EQUESTRIAN CLUB

Established in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Equestrian Club is a world leader in the sport of endurance riding and a pioneer when it comes to organising competitions in the United Arab Emirates at its purpose-built, state-of-the-art Dubai International Endurance City. Its annual calendar is headlined by two globally-renowned events: the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival.