Career-defining moments for young Endurance athletes in Buftea

Inside.FEI.org - Full Article

21 September 2025
Author: Bella Fricker

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.

Individual Podium

Gold went to 20-year-old Rashed Mohamed Atiq Khamis AlMehairi (UAE) riding the 10-year-old stallion Shardell Jaeger. Already an individual silver medallist at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2023 in Castelsagrat (FRA) with Castlebar Cadabra, AlMehairi this time went one better to secure the ultimate accolade.

After his win, Rashed said: “This is my last year as a Young Rider, and my advice to the younger athletes is that nothing is impossible – if you have a goal, focus on it, and take something new from every training session and every ride. In the end, I only ever compete against myself.”

UAE teammates — including reigning World Champion Rashed Ahmad Seghayer Alktebi, Essa Abdulla Essa Ali Abdulla, and Ali Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed AlFalasi — also crossed the line within minutes of each other but were eliminated at the final veterinary inspection, removing the UAE from team contention...

Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/career-defining-moments-young-endurance-athletes-buftea

U.S. Endurance Team Finishes Seventh Overall at 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders in Romania

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 9/21/2025

Buftea, Romania - The U.S. Endurance Team saw four horse-and-athlete combinations cross the finish line after the 120km ride to finish in seventh overall at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders hosted by the Shagya Sports Club Association in Buftea, Romania. The athletes and their horses were supported by their dedicated crew members, Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, and Team Leader Nicole Zerbee.

“The championship went smoothly for us this year,” said Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, “All of our athletes and their horses were well prepared and worked very well together as a unified team. I’m super happy with our results and very proud of all of them. It was especially great having a complete team [finish the race with a minimum of three combinations.]”

The highest placing American combination to finish after five successful loops was AnnaMaria Clarke (Davis, W.Va.) and Southern Justice, who is known in the barn as “Roo,” a 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina) owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller. The pair finished in 23rd place individually out of a large and highly competitive international field. The pair completed the race with a total ride time of 6:43:57.

“I’m beyond proud of Roo,” said Clarke of her teammate, “I’m very happy with our race at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders! [Roo] gave me 110%, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in him or outcome.”

The course for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders covered 120 km, with five loops varying in distance from 20.5 km to 31 km ( 75 miles total), across grass, fields, agricultural roads, and forest terrain in the picturesque suburban village of Buftea, located just outside of the country’s capital city of Bucharest. At the conclusion of each loop, the horses were inspected and checked by the official competition veterinarians to ensure peak physical condition, including heart rate and gait, followed by a mandatory rest period to eat, drink, and recover before returning to the course to complete the next loop.

Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) and Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis, Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) and Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk, and Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) and Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder individually finished in 40th, 41st, and 42nd respectively.

Results

More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-endurance-team-finishes-seventh-overall-at

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team wins silver and bronze at FEI World Championship

BNA.bh

21 Sep 2025

Bucharest, Sep. 21 (BNA): The organising committee of the FEI World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors held the official awarding ceremony for the top three winners of the 120-kilometer race in Romania, in a festive atmosphere attended by participating team delegations and officials of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

Riders of the Royal Endurance Team were awarded, as Saud Mubarak Sabt received the silver medal for finishing second place, while his teammate Isa Al Enezi won the bronze medal for securing third place. First place went to Emirati rider Rashid Mohammed.

The Royal Endurance Team riders expressed their gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, for his constant support, which contributed to achieving these positive results.

Saud Sabt expressed his happiness at securing second place, noting that the achievement was the result of teamwork and the continuous support of the team, which motivates them to aim for greater accomplishments in future competitions.

Isa Al Enezi highlighted the challenges of the race, stressing that despite the difficulty, the team delivered strong performances. He emphasised that this achievement would serve as an incentive ahead of upcoming championships.

The championship witnessed the participation of 84 riders from various countries, where the Royal Team excelled over top competitors from France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, Switzerland, Poland, and Tunisia.

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...

Read more here:
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