Saudi equestrian wins Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup in AlUla

ArabNews.com - Full Article

Arab News
09 February 2025

• Muhannad Alsalmi completed the race in 13 hours, 8 minutes, and 15 seconds
• Emirati riders Abdullah Al-Amri and Saif Al Mazrouei won 2nd and 3rd places, respectively

ALULA: Saudi equestrian Muhannad Alsalmi topped the 120-kilometer Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup in AlUla on Saturday, beating 200 riders from 64 countries around the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Alsalmi completed the race in 13 hours, 8 minutes, and 15 seconds, for an average speed of 23.6 kilometers per hour, according to the report...

Read more here:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589525/amp

UAE President's Emirates Cup Gallops Into Al Wathba

DevDuscourse.com - Full Article

The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba is set to host the 26th UAE President's Emirates Cup, showcasing elite riders. The opening ceremony featured cultural performances and tributes to horsemanship, with 146 riders registered for the prestigious 160 km endurance event under the patronage of Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 08-02-2025

The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba is poised to host the 26th UAE President's Emirates Cup this Sunday. The event, held under the watchful eye of Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, promises to be a spectacle of endurance and skill, attracting top-tier male and female equestrians.

The ceremonial commencement of the CEN 160 km endurance ride took place last night, treating attendees to a variety of cultural performances and equestrian displays...

Read more here:
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3258258-uae-presidents-emirates-cup-gallops-into-al-wathba

Discipline Helps Belgium’s Clara Shine in Endurance

FEI.org - Full Article

27 January 2025
Words by Stacey Stearns
Photos courtesy of Clara Darmstaedter

The young talent is looking forward to the year ahead...

Clara Darmstaedter, a rising young talent from Belgium, embodies the dedication and passion that define Endurance.

Clara first showed her potential at a global level at just 15 years old in 2021 when she helped Belgium secure a Team bronze at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. That early success in Ermelo (NED) was a testament to her ability to balance the rigorous demands of school and sport.

In 2024, Clara’s hard work and commitment paid off once again, with multiple horses qualified for the FEI Endurance European Young Riders Championship in Arborea (ITA). While there was to be no medal on this occasion, Clara’s enthusiasm is undiminished...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/discipline-helps-belgiums-clara-shine-endurance

Xinjiang landscape to test endurance as riders sample high life

ChinaDaily.com.cn - Full Article

By HOU CHENCHEN | China Daily | Updated: 2025-01-21

The longest and most challenging equestrian event in China will take place from May to June in Zhaosu county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The China Super Equestrian TREC Endurance on Silk Road International, jointly organized by the China Ethnic Sports Association (CESA) and the Zhaosu county government, will involve a professional category for a distance of 500 kilometers over seven days, and an amateur race spanning 220 km over three days.

Cheng Zhaoyi, the initiator of the event and a top-10 ranked Chinese endurance rider, said that the race is the third ultra-long-distance endurance race of its type in the world, following the 1,000 km Mongol Derby in Mongolia and the 1,300 km equestrian marathon in Kazakhstan.

It is also the first event of its kind to be held in China, Cheng added...

Read more here:
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202501/21/WS678ef8e5a310a2ab06ea839e.html

Dates announced for prestigious AlFursan Endurance AlUla 2025, the world’s most lucrative endurance event

- World’s most prestigious equestrian endurance event takes place 7-9 February 2025
- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup offers the sport’s biggest prize
- Al Mutadil Endurance Cup provides a challenge of skill and determination
- Event concludes a memorable season for equestrian endurance in the region

AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 12 January 2025:

The historic oasis of AlUla is gearing up to host one of the Gulf region’s most prominent endurance events, with the highly anticipated AlFursan Endurance AlUla 2025 set to kick off next month. In an atmosphere brimming with excitement, the event will mark the culmination of a vibrant equestrian season amidst the stunning desert landscapes that highlight AlUla’s beauty and rich heritage. Taking place from 7-9 February, 2025, this elite endurance event will comprise two prestigious races: the 120km Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup – CEI 2 and the 160km Al Mutadil Endurance Cup – CEI 1, attracting 250 riders from around the world to AlUla.

Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the AlFursan Endurance AlUla 2025 will provide a unique and exciting challenge for the riders, testing their endurance, skill, and determination over the two demanding courses.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup will feature the largest prize pool in the event’s history, with SAR 15 million on offer, while the Al Mutadil Endurance Cup will be contested for a prize pool of SAR 5 million. The lucrative prize money reflects the event’s status as one of the most important equestrian endurance races in the world.

The AlFursan Endurance AlUla is a vital event in AlUla’s ambition to become a global leader in endurance sports, leading to the FEI Endurance World Championship 2026. Supported by top-class facilities at AlFursan Equestrian Village, the competitors will race in a setting that combines AlUla’s captivating landscapes with Saudi Arabia’s rich equestrian heritage.

The event also signifies the RCU’s dedication to transforming AlUla into a leading international destination for equestrianism and concludes a memorable equestrian season in the region. As AlUla solidifies its status as a prime destination for equestrian sports, economic opportunities continue to grow within the local community, providing new avenues for talent development, and contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

AlFursan Endurance AlUla 2025 will also feature a range of community engagement initiatives to promote equestrianism among the youth and ensure the local population can benefit from this thriving sector.

AlFursan Endurance AlUla is part of the AlUla Moments 2024/25 calendar, a series of cultural and sporting events that celebrate and showcase the magic of AlUla. Other events include the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, AlUla Trail Race, Winter at Tantora, and the Maraya Classical Concerts series.

For more information, please visit experiencealula.com.

Australia: Resilience, enthusiasm

NoosaToday.com.au - Full ArticlePhoto: Sarah Sullivan Photography

07/01/2025

PRECEDE

It was a year in which Queensland endurance horse riders competed in four Australian states. ERLE LEVEY takes a look at a sport that embraces all ages and abilities with a philosophy of to complete is to win.

BREAKOUT QUOTE

“Yet some of the greatest moments in sporting history have been achieved by those who were nowhere near first across the line – but they were the completers.”

In a sport known for its resilience and enthusiasm, Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) celebrated some exceptional achievements in 2024.

At the annual awards night, held at Leyburn’s Royal Hotel, there were notable successes across all age groups and all weight divisions: heavyweight, middleweight, lightweight and junior.

There were life memberships awarded for dedication to the sport, as well as for exceptional performances.

It was a year highlighted by Queensland riders at the 2024 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, Australia’s premier endurance ride; this year held at Wirrina Cove on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/sport/07-01-2025/resilience-enthusiasm/