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/

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