October 19 2026
The Dutch Team long list has been announced for the 2026 World Endurance Championship, which will be held in Butheeb, UAE, on December 19, 2026:
Bo Van Aart and Arven
Carmen Römer and Anissa De Florival, Gazoline Des Venelles, and Indira D’Havenne
Marijke Visser and Chaitana Des Chaises, Stella Des Bois
Michelle Nooijen and Czartowczyk
Mijke Albersen and Jackpot Des Guelros
Shanti Roos and Fripon Au Xois AA
Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce the athlete and horse combinations who will represent the maple leaf at the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship, taking place December 19th, 2026, in Butheeb, United Arab Emirates.
The Canadian Endurance Team will be:
Stephanie Richter – Campbell River, BC
Horse: Forward Motion CH
Grooms: Melody Blittersdorf and Sylvia Gillies
Owner: Melody Blittersdorf
Tara Anne Greasley – Santiago, Chile
Horse: Inca
Grooms: Dessia Miller and Kimberley Woolley
Owner: Tara Anne Greasley
Yvette Vinton – Morriston, FL, USA
Horse: Alcazar Richarson
Grooms: Ruben Parra, Emma Webb, and Andrea Vargas
Owner: Yvette Vinton
The following combinations have been named as alternates:
Yvette Vinton – Morriston, FL, USA
Horse: Here Comes the Boom
Owner: Yvette Vinton
Support Team
Misha Green – Chef d’Équipe
Kimberley Woolley – Head Coach
Laura Kelland-May – Assistant Coach
Dr. Glenn Sinclair – Team Veterinarian
The FEI Endurance World Championship brings together the world’s leading endurance combinations for one of the sport’s most demanding international competitions. The 2026 Championship will see Canada compete on the international stage against teams and athletes from around the world.
Equestrian Canada wishes the Canadian Endurance Team every success as they prepare to represent Canada in the UAE this December.
JornalDEndurance - Full Article
September 30 2026
At 17 years old and standing just 13.2hh, The Red Barron proved that partnership, stamina, and sound horsemanship outshine stature as he and young rider Maisie Denham stormed to fourth overall in one of Britain’s toughest multi-day endurance rides.
The mist rising off the Cambrian Mountains at the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance is legendary for humbling even the most experienced combinations. Spanning 160 kilometres across rugged Welsh terrain, the premier class demands peak cardiovascular conditioning, relentless soundness, and an unbreakable trust between horse and rider.
Lined up alongside sleek Arabians stood an unlikely contender: The Red Barron—affectionately known at home as ‘Noddy’—a 17-year-old Cob/Arab cross measuring a modest 13.2 hands high. Guided by 20-year-old Newtown rider Maisie Denham, the pint-sized powerhouse did far more than simply finish; he delivered a masterclass in pacing, stamina, and equine management to claim 4th place overall, along with an extraordinary sweep of subsidiary honours.
The Little Horse with a Giant Character
Back home in Newtown, Powys, Noddy is hardly an imposing endurance machine. He is a cheeky, food-obsessed herd member whose favourite pastime involves finding creative ways through electric fencing to reach better grazing. Yet beneath his mischievous paddock persona lies the heart of a true athlete.
“At home he’s an absolute character,” laughs Maisie, who has been competing in endurance for six years since taking up the discipline in 2020. “He adores his food, loves hanging out with his friends, and is forever getting tangled in the electric fencing when he decides the grass looks greener on the other side. But once he’s on a ride, he switches on. He has this tremendous work ethic and just loves having a job to do.”
The Cob-Arab cross has long been revered in grassroots equestrian circles for combining the bone, constitution, and calm mind of the native cob with the stamina, efficiency, and lung capacity of the Arabian. In Noddy, that combination has proved practically unbeatable.
Conquering the Welsh Hills: 160km of Testing Terrain
Spread over two demanding days, the 160km Red Dragon class tests every facet of fitness and horsemanship. Competitors must successfully navigate challenging climbs, descents, and varied going while presenting regularly to the veterinary inspection team, where strict pulse recovery parameters and trot-up soundness evaluations determine whether a horse is permitted to continue.
Despite a brief spell of rain on Sunday, the going held up remarkably well over the ancient tracks and open ridges.
“The route was riding so well both days,” recalls Maisie. “We had that touch of rain on the second morning, but it barely affected the footing. The Red Dragon organisers and marker teams do such a phenomenal job every single year—when the track is marked that clearly, you can completely relax your focus onto your horse’s rhythm, balance, and the jaw-dropping views around you.”
Where the 160km test often takes a heavy physical toll, Noddy appeared to gain strength as the kilometres wound down. At the veterinary gates, his recovery times were exceptional, earning an enviable scorecard that boasted nearly straight Grade 1 and ‘A’ ratings across heart rate, metabolic parameters, and gait analysis. His foot balance and conditioning also caught the eye of the farriery panel, securing the coveted Best Shod award.
A Flying Finish and a Trophy Haul
The defining image of the weekend came on the second afternoon. As the pair tackled the final descent toward the ride venue, Maisie dismounted to ease the burden on her pony down the steep gradient.
“It was so special seeing him feel so fresh on the second day,” Maisie says. “After I hopped off to run down the hill with him at the end, he was practically jogging beside me, wanting to trot down the descent with his ears pricked. To cross the line after 160km with almost a clean sheet of A’s and 1’s was just an unforgettable feeling.”
When the final results were tallied, Maisie and Noddy had finished fourth overall in the open field, cementing their place among the nation’s top combinations. Alongside their overall placing, the duo walked away with a cabinet-filling haul of silverware:
Busting Endurance Myths: “You Don’t Need an Arab to Get Started”
For Maisie, the result is more than just personal vindication; it is a testament to what grassroots riders and non-traditional breeds can achieve in endurance sport.
“If you’ve ever thought about giving endurance a go, just do it!” Maisie urges. “People often assume you need an expensive, purebred desert Arab and thousands of pounds worth of specialist gear to take part. Noddy proves you really don’t. You can start with entry-level pleasure rides at 15km or 20km, build up your horse’s fitness gradually, and find out how much fun it is. The endurance community is so welcoming and supportive—everyone helps one another.”
Like all endurance triumphs, Maisie stresses that their success was a shared endeavour: “Endurance is the ultimate team sport. None of this happens without the ride organisers, the volunteer stewards, the vets who look after horse welfare every step of the way, and our crew who keep us both fed, watered, and moving forward.”
Winter R&R Before Setting Sights Higher
With the endurance season drawing to a close, Noddy is turning his attention to his favourite winter discipline: eating hay and relaxing with his field companions in Powys. But the pair’s competitive story is far from over.
“He’s having a well-earned winter off now,” says Maisie. “Next season, the plan is to keep competing at the higher distances and hopefully add a few more race rides to our schedule. He’s 17, but he genuinely feels better and stronger than ever.”
If their Red Dragon campaign is anything to go by, this diminutive cob-cross and his young rider will remain a formidable force wherever they choose to lay their tracks.
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The study, "A Retrospective Study into the Influence of Elevation Gain on Completion and Elimination Rates at Endurance Rides," examined 12,962 horse-and-rider combinations competing between 2002 and 2025. It found that, regardless of whether a ride was on flat or hilly terrain, the average completion rate was a high 75%. This figure is a testament to the robust veterinary checks and high standards of preparation that are central to the sport.
Endurance riding is a unique equestrian discipline where riders cover long distances over marked routes. It is not just a test of speed, but of partnership, preparation, and careful management. Horse welfare is the highest priority, with multiple veterinary checks before, during, and after the ride to ensure each horse is fit to continue. These "vet gates" are a cornerstone of the sport, where veterinarians check the horse’s pulse, soundness, and overall condition.
Eleanor Vinnicombe's research delves into the reasons horses are eliminated from rides, finding that lameness is the most common cause. Far from being a negative, this reflects the extreme sensitivity and efficacy of the sport’s veterinary safety net, ensuring horses are pulled well before minor fatigue or subtle gait changes can develop into injury.
This focus on soundness, even for minor issues, underscores the "to finish is to win" philosophy of endurance, where completing the ride with a sound, healthy horse is the ultimate goal. The study's findings align with international data, demonstrating that Endurance GB's welfare standards are on par with global best practices.
"This research reinforces what we in the endurance community have always known: that our sport is built on a foundation of exceptional horse care," says Shelley Bates, Operations Director of Endurance GB. "We are incredibly proud of our members, volunteers, and organisers who work tirelessly to ensure the welfare of our horses is always the top priority. This study provides a welcome, evidence-based confirmation of their dedication."
The study is particularly significant as it highlights the success of Endurance GB's approach to the sport. By creating a supportive and knowledgeable community, the organisation empowers riders to achieve their goals while maintaining the highest standards of equine welfare. This commitment is evident from the grassroots level, with pleasure rides and novice classes, all the way up to championship competitions.
Endurance GB extends its gratitude to the ride organisers, volunteers, and crew members who make these events possible. Their hard work and dedication create a safe and enjoyable environment for both horses and riders, fostering a strong sense of community and shared adventure.
This research serves as a powerful reminder of what makes endurance riding so special: the incredible partnership between horse and rider, the spirit of adventure, and a deep, unwavering commitment to equine welfare. Endurance GB continues to welcome riders of all levels to experience the challenge and camaraderie of this rewarding sport.
Top: Eleanor Vinnicombe, LRG Photography
Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article A recent FEI Tribunal case is a reminder to equestrians of the risk of accidental contamination By Lu...
