History beckons UAE in maiden Asian Youth Games endurance event

October 27 2025

The UAE will look to make equestrian history in Bahrain by becoming the first nation to win an Asian Youth Games endurance gold.

The 2025 edition of the Games is ongoing in the Bahraini capital of Manama, with endurance marking its debut on the Games schedule with the first-ever competition at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir on 30 October.

The UAE launches a five-pronged attack on the event with the squad featuring Essa Rashed Al Mazrouei, Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Bastaki, Ali Abdulla Al Falasi, Humaid Fahad Al Kaabi and Khalifa Rashed Al Ameemi, hoping to strike gold in both the individual and team competitions.

The UAE are widely considered one of the heavyweights of the sport and all eyes are bound to be on the Emirati contingent, who will start among the favourites.

Speaking on the team’s departure, Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Equestrian Club, emphasised that the UAE Team has prepared meticulously for the Games and will look to make the nation proud in Bahrain.

Sheikh Rashed said: “We are proud of the UAE team’s dedication, discipline, and passion — qualities that have already made the nation proud. Their journey of perseverance and teamwork stands as an inspiration. As they compete on the global stage, we’re confident their efforts will deliver great results and further elevate the UAE’s name in excellence and achievements.”

General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, Ahmed Rashed Al Kaabi added: “We are fully prepared for the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain with high spirits and strong determination. Our athletes embody the UAE’s commitment to excellence through their dedication, focus, and teamwork. We are confident they will deliver outstanding performances that reflect our nation’s values of perseverance, unity, and sportsmanship — making the UAE proud and honouring our flag.”

No-Blood Rule Petition Attracts 17,000+ Supporters

HorseSport.com - Full Article

By: Dressur-Studien | Fair zum Pferd | October 28, 2025

To date, over 17,000 supporters have joined an international petition opposing the planned weakening of the so-called No-Blood Rule in equestrian sport.

Background

At the upcoming General Assembly of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) on November 5, 2025, in Hong Kong, a proposal will be voted on that would mean blood on a horse would no longer automatically lead to disqualification. According to the plan submitted by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), a simple warning could suffice in the future – or, in cases where a horse has, for example, bitten its tongue, the blood could simply be wiped away before the rider continues competing.

The petition calls for this proposed relaxation to be stopped and for the existing principle – “Blood on the horse = competition over” – to remain in place. Any visible blood, regardless of whether it is caused by the rider, by equipment, or by accident, must always result in immediate elimination – to protect the horse and to maintain trust in the sport.

Furthermore, the petition demands that existing exemptions from the No-Blood Rule in other disciplines – such as driving, eventing, and endurance – be revoked. The principle must apply universally: no tolerance for blood on the horse...

Read more or listen here:
https://horsesport.com/horse-news/no-blood-rule-petition-attracts-17000-supporters/

France’s Léa Clerissi is Riding High on Determination

FEI.org - Full Story

21 October 2025
Stacey Stearns

The teenager is determined to learn from every experience...

At just 15 years old, France’s Léa Clerissi has already ridden her way into the international spotlight.

During her first season at FEI level in 2024, she completed 12 competitions, qualified at the 3* level with seven different horses, and ended the year ranked in both the FEI and France’s standings. Her rapid rise earned her a coveted place on France’s team for the FEI Endurance European Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2024 in Arborea (ITA), where the French won Team silver.

“My most rewarding memory is, of course, last year’s European Championship – they taught me so much,” Léa said. “What I love most about Endurance is the bond we develop with the horse, and all the beautiful landscapes we get to see.”

For 2025, Léa set her sights on qualifying for both the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses in Jullianges (FRA) and the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in Buftea (ROU), an ambitious goal that few achieve. But, as Endurance teaches every rider, not every season follows the plan...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/france-lea-clerissi-riding-high-determination

Great Britain: Horses and runners compete in cross-country challenge

BBC.com - Full Article

October 18 2025
Jonathan Holmes • Quantock Hills

Two horses have beaten around 100 runners in a 23 mile (37km) race across Somerset's Quantock Hills.

The Man v Horse endurance race, which was first held more than 40 years ago in Powys, Wales, saw the crowd of runners given a head start of only 15 minutes.

Only four competitors have ever beaten a horse in the history of the race, with the last Somerset event ending in a tie between a human and a horse at three hours and 11 minutes...

Read more here:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wlqp4v500o

South Africa: Letaba riders shine at Limpopo endurance championships

Citizen.co.za - Full Article

Riders from across Limpopo tested stamina and skill at the Endurance Championships, with Letaba riders excelling across categories.

October 5, 2025
Sharon Makhongele

HOEDSPRUIT – The Letaba Endurance Club hosted a memorable edition of the Limpopo Endurance Championships this past weekend at The Ranch Prestige Equestrian Centre, a venue renowned for its world-class facilities and breathtaking natural surroundings.

The event drew riders from across the province, all eager to test their stamina, horsemanship, and the unbreakable bond between horse and rider.

The carefully designed routes offered a mix of diverse terrain, challenging hills, flowing tracks, and open stretches, pushing competitors to their limits while showcasing the beauty of endurance riding. Each stride was a testament to preparation, perseverance, and the spirit of partnership that defines the sport.

The championships delivered outstanding performances by Letaba Endurance Club riders across multiple categories:...

Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/letaba-herald/sports-news/2025/10/05/riders-shine-in-champs/

Young Aussie endurance riders shine in Buftea

Image by Amanda Kettlewell

EquestrianLife.com.au - Full Article

Young Australian riders Poppy Kettlewell and Eadie McWilliam impressed at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in Buftea, Romania, finishing inside the top 15 against a world-class field over 120km.

Equestrian Life
Published 30 Sep 2025

Buftea, Romania witnessed history on 20 September 2025 as the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors reached its dramatic conclusion. Over 120km of testing terrain, 84 young athletes from 26 nations set out with one shared goal: to finish with their horses in good health. By the end of the day, medals were decided not only by time, but by resilience, judgement, and the crucial veterinary inspections that define the sport. For Romania, hosting its first equestrian world Championship was a milestone in itself, while for the athletes aged 14–21 it was the defining moment of their careers so far. Top results for Australian duo

Seventeen-year-old Australian rider Poppy Kettlewell finished an incredible tenth place with her 15-year-old family-bred gelding Oso Irazu. A seasoned campaigner, Irazu has previously represented Great Britain at two Senior World Championships under Rebecca Pinder. Kettlewell, competing in her first championship, was emotional:

“It’s been a dream since I was six, standing on the beach in Normandy and watching the World Championships. To now wear the Australian shirt is a dream come true. Our goal was top 20 but Irazu had a different idea — his decision was final!...”

Read more here:
https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/young-aussie-endurance-riders-shine-in-buftea/