Bahrain Royal Team riders shine in Romania

GDNonline.com

Sun, 21 Sep 2025

ENDURANCE HORSERACING – BAHRAIN’S Royal Endurance Team had two of their members climb the podium yesterday in the 120-kilometre ride of the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors 2025, which took place in Buftea, Romania.

Saud Mubarak Sabt secured second place while teammate Issa Hameed Al Anezi came third at the end of a race that was characterised by strong competition and excitement until the final stage.

The Bahraini pair finished behind Emirati rider Rashid Mohammed, who took first place.

Royal Stables and Royal Endurance Team director general Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan expressed his great appreciation for the team’s achievements in the championship.

“Our riders presented a high technical level and were able to translate their efforts from the preparation phase into positive results on the ground,” said Dr Hassan.

“Achieving second and third place is the result of integrated teamwork and a step that enhances our future ambitions to continue to compete strongly for advanced positions in upcoming championships.”

Dr Hassan added that these results came thanks to the great support of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman, and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

UAE rider Rashid Al Muhairi wins Endurance World Championship for Juniors in Romania

WAM.ae

September 20, 2025

BUFTEA, Romania, 20th September, 2025 (WAM) -- The UAE achieved another milestone in equestrian sport as rider Rashid Mohammed Al Muhairi clinched the title of the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors over a distance of 120 kilometers, held today in Buftea, Romania, under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation, with participants from 28 countries.

Al Muhairi secured first place in the individual category for the first time, completing the race in 5:33:01 hours. His victory delivered the UAE’s fifth consecutive title and its eighth overall in the history of the championship.

Bahrain’s Saud Mubarak finished second with a time of 5:34:25 hours, while compatriot Isa Al Anzi came in third with a time of 5:36:31 hours.

In the team competition, France claimed first place, followed by Spain in second, while Italy finished third.

Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team set for world championship

GDNOnline.com - Full Article

Sat, 20 Sep 2025

ENDURANCE HORSERACING – BAHRAIN’S Royal Endurance Team has completed all preparations for its participation in the 120-kilometre ride at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors, which is taking place in Buftea, Romania, with wide participation from the world’s elite riders.

The kingdom’s representatives participated in a veterinary examination held at the championship village, reflecting the high level of preparedness for the international event. The horses were also numbered and the riders were weighed.

The Royal Endurance Team will be represented in the championship by their riders Jaber Badr Jafar, Faisal Hamid Al Enezi, Issa Hamid Al Enezi, Shaikh Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa, Sultan Abdulaziz Al Rumaihi, and Saud Mubarak Sabt...

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https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1363534/Royal-Endurance-Team-set-for-world-championship

U.S. Athletes and Horses Set for 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders

The U.S. Endurance Team at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders (©Nicole Zerbee)

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 9/19/2025

Buftea, Romania – Five U.S. athlete-and-horse combinations have been accepted at the first horse inspection for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders hosted by the Shagya Sports Club Association in Buftea, Romania. The team is supported by their dedicated crew members, Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, and Team Leader Nicole Zerbee.

The Championships officially opened on Thursday evening, September 18, with a welcoming ceremony that brought together athletes from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. The U.S. athletes and their horses passed the pre-ride horse inspection on Friday, September 19, and will move forward to competition, which begins on Saturday.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations were accepted:

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

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

• 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

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

The course for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders will cover 120 km (~74 miles) across grass, fields, agricultural roads, and forest terrain. Horses must cross the finish line in a maximum time of 20:07:30 to be classified. Designed to test stamina, skill, and partnership, the course requires athletes to balance pace with precision while maintaining their horse’s health, as verified by rigorous veterinary checks at each phase.

Competition Information

Competition officially begins Saturday, September 20, at 6:45am GMT+3 and will conclude with the Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony on Sunday, September 21, at 12:00 p.m. GMT+3/5:00 a.m. EST.

More at https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-athletes-horses-set-for-2025-fei

Australians line up for FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors

Australians Poppy Kettlewell and OSO Irazu will line up for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors. Image by Sarah Sullivan Photography.

EquestrianLife.com.au - Full Article

Equestrian Life
Published 18 Sep 2025

Australia may not travel with the numbers of Europe or the Gulf nations when it comes to endurance riding, but their athletes carry stories of grit and ambition. Seventeen-year-old Poppy Kettlewell, riding the rising 15-year-old Australian-bred grey gelding OSO Irazu, will make her first championship start at this year’s event.

Poppy is joined by 17-year-old Eadie McWilliam and another 15-year-old Australian-bred grey gelding, Larntainey Silver Treasure – a partnership that finished inside the top 20 at the last FEI Endurance World Championship. Larntainey Silver Treasure is by Silver Conquest out of Abrock Gemma and is owned by Australians Penny and Peter Toft...

Read more here:
https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/australians-line-up-for-fei-endurance-world-championship-for-young-riders-juniors/

Australia's Poppy Kettlewell: From pony club loops to the world stage

Photo Credit: Amanda Kettlewell

Inside.FEI.org - Full Story

17 September 2025
Author: Bella Fricker

When 18-year-old Poppy Kettlewell canters out of the start line at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in Buftea (ROM), on 20 September 2025, it will mark the realisation of a dream she has carried since she was a little girl. Riding the 15-year-old homebred gelding OSO Irazu, Poppy will represent Australia at her first ever Championship - a remarkable milestone in a journey that has already spanned thousands of kilometres, countless hours in the saddle, and an unwavering passion for Endurance.

Early beginnings on a white pony

Endurance has been woven into Poppy’s life from the start. Her very first taste of the sport came in 2015, at just eight years old, when she rode a 5km on her little white pony, Cherry, who, remarkably, is still happy on a farm at the age of 35. Two years later, she tackled her first qualifier, an 80km on her paint pony Jess. That ride, Poppy recalls, “really sparked my love for the sport.”

The trajectory was steep. At only 10 years old, she completed her first 160km on the horse of every child’s dreams, OSO Nicholas. “He taught me so much and naturally led us to take on the 160km challenge together,” Poppy says. “I had a real passion for Endurance riding and had watched many other team members complete these rides. Both my mum and the team knew it was my turn, and I was motivated by the excitement of the challenge and the opportunity to learn and grow alongside Nicholas...”

Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/poppy-kettlewell-pony-club-loops-world-stage

Team UAE set for FEI Young Riders and Juniors World Championship title defence

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

The UAE claimed the top two spots on the podium at the last event at Castelsagrat in France in 2023, with Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi expertly steering Hadeer to victory

Published: Tue 16 Sept 2025, 6:13 PM
By: Khaleej Times Staff

Team UAE will be represented by five riders at the event.. Photo: UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation

One of the sport’s most formidable contenders, the UAE will bid to defend their individual title and look to claim the team’s honours at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2025 in Buftea, Romania, on September 20.

The UAE claimed the top two spots on the podium at the last event at Castelsagrat in France in 2023, with Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi expertly steering Hadeer to victory ahead of compatriot Rashed Mohammed Al Mehairi. Team UAE will be represented by five riders.

Defending champion Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi will once again lead the charge. He will be joined by Essa Abdulla, Ali Abdulla Al Falasi, Rashed Mohamed Atiq Almehairi, and Majid Jamal Almheiri, completing a strong five-rider lineup for the national team...

Read more here:
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sports/horse-racing/team-uae-set-for-fei-young-riders-and-juniors-world-championship-title-defence?_refresh=true