Great Britain: Shanti Roos and Fripon storm to endurance victory at Kings Forest

Wsfp.co.uk - Full Article

6th April 2026

A RIDER based in the Quantock Hills has taken top honours at a national endurance riding event, showcasing both athletic performance and the unique partnership between horse and rider.

Dutch-born rider Shanti Roos, who has lived in the UK for over 20 years and runs an Airbnb business with her husband in the Quantocks, stormed to victory in the 80km (50-mile) race at Kings Forest, Suffolk last weekend

Riding her 11-year-old French-bred gelding, Fripon, Shanti delivered a perfectly judged performance to take the win by four minutes and 30 seconds, finishing at an impressive average speed of 17.01km/h...

Read more here:
https://www.wsfp.co.uk/sport/shanti-roos-and-fripon-storm-to-endurance-victory-at-kings-forest-894621

Australia: 49 years of endurance in the Warrumbungles with an international flavour

Image by Jo Arblaster - Animal Focus.

EquestrianLife.com.au - Full Article

Around 120 riders and horses are gearing up to hit the trails this weekend for the Tooraweenah Endurance Club’s annual event.

Ellen Dunger for Endurance NSW
Published 8 Apr 2026

This year’s weekend of events is going up a notch. In addition to the usual 7, 20, 40, and 80-kilometre events (with 120km event added this year), there are also international-standard FEI-level rides.

With more endurance riders registered worldwide than the Olympic discipline of eventing, the Tooraweenah Club partnered with Canobolas Endurance Riders to give Australian competitors the opportunity to qualify for overseas international events.

It is the first time FEI events have been staged at Tooraweenah and ride secretary Sonia bonham said the inclusion has bolstered entries, with an additional 32 nominations coming from as far afield as southern NSW and Queensland.

“It is our 49th year and we are runnng our first FEI event.” she said...

Read more here:
https://equestrianlife.com.au/articles/49-years-of-endurance-in-the-warrumbungles-with-an-international-flavour/

Kayti Curtis: 310 Miles of Endurance in Patagonia

Tooeleonline.com - Full Article

Kayti Curtis, endurance horse racer, participates in many races including the recent Gaucho Derby in Patagonia

April 01, 2026
Cailéan Anderson

Kayti Curtis is a resident of Erda City who has participated in horseback riding since she was seven years of age. Over the last seven years she has participated in a number of races around the state of Utah, throughout the United States, and in foreign countries—the most recent competition being the Gaucho Derby in Patagonia.

The Gaucho Derby is 310 miles (approximately 500 kilometers), lasts ten days, then consists of 40 participants and approximately 600 horses with each contestant utilizing a fresh horse for each leg of the race.

Well, most received seven horses, anyway. Curtis received an eighth because of a mishap involving one of the horses she had received for the race.

“I received a bonus horse because one of the horses I was camping out with overnight—and the way you camp is the horses are hobbled and tied to lead lines—so, my horse was just grazing while he was hobbled and decided that he did not want to be there anymore. He cantered away wearing his hobbles, made his way back to the horse station, and rejoined his friends..."

Read more here:
https://www.tooeleonline.com/articles/hometown/310-miles-of-endurance/

South Africa: Endurance horse fetches highest price at CdP auction

AfricanFarming.com - Full Article

A registered 14-year-old Arabian mare, Silvretta Neen, a proven endurance horse from some of the best Arabian breeding lines of the past five decades, fetched the highest price of R55 000 at auctioneer CdP Auctioneers’ open horse and chicken auction on 21 February 2026. The auction is held bimonthly at the Ditsong Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum near Pretoria.

1 April 2026
By Johan Norval

Her breeder, Dr Hercu van Niekerk of the Silvretta Stud on the farm Kililene near Modimolle, says he has since stopped breeding and now has only one horse left that the family still uses for endurance rides.

The online buyer was Xander Human from Riversdale, who plans to use Silvretta Neen’s genetics in his breeding programme. Human also paid R20 000 for the 20-year-old mare Silvretta Beate, who will likewise be used for breeding purposes.

Van Niekerk is a South African pioneer in the field of veterinary medicine in endurance riding and has achieved four-star veterinarian status with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). In 2018, he was honoured for 50 years of service as a practising veterinarian and still serves as a consultant...

Read more here:
https://www.africanfarming.com/2026/04/01/endurance-horse-fetches-highest-price-at-cdp-auction/

UAE: MRM Stables dominant in Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup

www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2026CrownPrinceofDubaiEnduranceFestival

April 1 2026

MRM Stables lifted the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup at Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Al Salam on Wednesday after Abdulla Abdulrahman Al Bastaki sealed the fate of the showpiece event of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival just past the half-way stage of the competition.

Riding Bullio Charles, Al Bastaki turned up the heat during the third and penultimate phase of the 120 km ride and took over the summit, thereafter doing just enough to ensure a simple but commanding 29 second victory.

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup brought the curtains down on the annual Festival of endurance riding held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Al Bastaki began the day placed 23rd, but knew there was no reason to fret even though Fatma Jassem Al Marri, winner of the Private Stables Competition the day before, seized the initiative at the end of the first phase spanning 40 km when riding the Al Bawadi Stables-owned Dja De Beders.

Al Marri failed to hold on to the lead during the course of the second loop over 35 kms and dropped one spot leaving Mohammed Rashed Mugheer on M7 Endurance Stables’ Zeus FF in command.

Al Bastaki had moved up to 15th during the second loop and decided to push hard during the third phase over 25 km, a manoeuvre that yielded fruit immediately with the MRM Stables rider finding himself in command of the competition.

Maintaining the lead was going to be tricky, but both Al Bastaki and Bullio Charles were up to it and ensured nothing came in between them and a well-deserved success as they finished with 29 seconds to spare having scripted a time of four hours 23 minutes and 28 seconds (4:23:28).

Finishing second with a time of 4:23:57 was F3 Stables’ French lady rider Lea Vandekerckhove on A’Bandom’s Moonshadow, even as the UAE’s Mohamed Adel Al Hosani took third for Al Reef Ajban II Stables aboard SC Bonito with 4:24:16 on the clock.

Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Equestrian Club, Ahmed Rashid Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, and Ahmad Saeed Al Falasi, Director of Joint Ventures and Strategic Relations, were present at the trophy presentation ceremony.

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival comprised four rides and began on 23 March with the 120 km Ladies Ride won by ABH Stables’ Sara Hasan Ahmed on Wayward. The festival resumed after a bout of inclement weather with the Al Yamamah Cup for Mares on 30 March, an event won narrowly by M7 Endurance Stables after Hamdan Ahmad Al Mansoori’s success in the saddle aboard SW Jashfiya AA 50. The third event on the Festival’s schedule was the Private Stables Ride held on 31 March, where riding with absolute consistency Fatma Jassem Al Marri claimed a facile victory for SM Private Stables on the back of Celebryta.

Great Britain: Jo Chisholm Appointed England Chef d’Equipe Ahead of 2026 Home International

March 31 2026

Endurance GB has announced the appointment of Jo Chisholm as Chef d’Equipe for the England Squad ahead of the 2026 Home International, which will take place in Scotland on 5–6th September.

With a lifelong involvement in endurance riding spanning more than four decades, Chisholm brings extensive competitive and team experience to the role. Having started in the sport in 1989, she has amassed over 17,000km of competition mileage and completed eight 160km rides, alongside representing England as a rider at Home International level.

“I am very honoured to be appointed HI Chef,” said Chisholm. “This gives me another opportunity to give more back to the sport I love using all my experiences, and I hope to do my country and team proud.”

Chisholm is perhaps best known for her long-standing partnership with Grey Medlar, with whom she achieved multiple top results, including success at the Golden Horseshoe Ride and a BERA National Championship title in 2002.

Reflecting on her experience at the highest levels of the sport, she added: “Endurance riding involves the combination of athleticism and the ability to manage your pace over varying terrain and distances, whilst keeping your horse’s welfare as your top priority.”

In addition to her competitive career, Chisholm has previously held team management roles, including working with Young Riders and supporting squad leadership. Her appointment as Chef d’Equipe marks a return to a key leadership position within the England set-up.

“I wanted to make sure I could give 100% to the role,” she explained. “I’m looking forward to working with members of the England Squad—both familiar faces and new combinations—and supporting them to achieve their goals.”

The Home International is an annual fixture in the endurance calendar, bringing together teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Combining competition with a strong sense of camaraderie, it is widely recognised as a key development opportunity for riders progressing through the sport.

Chisholm believes the event plays an important role in building both performance and team culture.

“Team spirit is very important in endurance,” she said. “When the going gets tough, the team will rally behind a rider and provide the motivation needed to finish. That sense of support is invaluable.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 event, Chisholm’s focus is on creating a cohesive and supportive team environment.

“My priority is to get the best out of all our team members and to support each other with a real feeling of cooperation and encouragement,” she said. “A successful Home International is one where every rider achieves their aims to the best of their ability, alongside their horse.”

She also highlighted the accessibility of the Home International format, which enables riders at a range of levels to represent their country.

“Even our Elite riders started somewhere,” she said. “The Home International allows riders to experience being part of a squad and take that next step in their endurance journey.”

Chisholm’s appointment comes as Endurance GB continues to strengthen its pathway for riders, with the Home International serving as a stepping stone towards future international competition.

Encouraging riders to put themselves forward for selection, she added: “Go for it—you will receive support from the squad management to help you take that next step.”

Great Britain: ‘Unlikely’ Cob Secures Runner-Up Spot in Competitive Finish at Haywood Oaks

March 29 2026

An eye-catching performance from an unconventional partnership saw Jennifer Gaimster and her 14.1hh piebald cob, Striker, take second place in the 80km CER at the Haywood Oaks Endurance Ride on 28th March 2026.

Representing the West Riding Group of Endurance GB, the pair completed the course in 6 hours at an average speed of 13.3kph, delivering a confident and competitive ride capped off with a thrilling racing finish.

Striker, a 2014-born gelding with no recorded breeding, is not the typical profile of a high-level endurance horse – making the result all the more notable. The partnership only began their endurance career together in 2023 but have shown consistent progression through the ranks.

During the 2025 season, they recorded a third place at Avon Valley (62km CER), a fourth at Cirencester (80km CER at the Inter-Regional Championships), and an 11th place finish at the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance (80km CER). At Haywood Oaks, they stepped up again to secure their highest placing to date.

“Haywood Oaks was our first ‘race ride’ of the season and what a day it turned out to be,” said Jennifer. “Striker was calm and focused from the start, and we found a great rhythm early on.”

The pair rode in company with Iola Chapman, eventual winner, for the duration of the course, maintaining a steady pace across varied conditions, including sunshine, strong winds and hail. As the finish line came into sight, the competitive nature of the class came to the fore.

“We’d ridden together for the whole 80km, but when we turned for home, it was time to race. It was our first racing finish – I asked him to go, and he did. To feel that energy still there after 80km was incredible.”

As always in endurance, the result hinged on the final veterinary inspection. Having vetted out at the same venue the previous year, Jennifer admitted to feeling the pressure.

“There were definitely some nerves going into the final trot-up. But this is what the sport is about – the vets are there to ensure the horse’s welfare comes first.”

Striker passed with a heart rate of 50bpm and was awarded an ‘A’ for action, confirming an excellent recovery and securing their second-place finish.

“The relief was huge. I burst into tears – he’d done everything I could have asked of him.” Jennifer was quick to acknowledge the support behind the scenes, including organisers, volunteers and her crew, highlighting the collective effort that underpins success in the sport.

With a strong start to the 2026 season, this partnership continues to demonstrate that performance in endurance is not defined by breeding alone, but by careful training, horsemanship, and the strength of the horse-and-rider partnership.