Gallop to glory as the gruelling Endurance Cup returns to AlUla
Held on February 10 and 11, this is one of the marquee sports events in the AlUla Moments calendar…
A busy year of extraordinary sports events in AlUla continues with the challenging The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup next month.
It’s the ultimate test of man and horse against time and terrain. Set within the magnificent landscape of AlUla, about 200 of the world’s finest riders will compete in this long-distance competition.
The Endurance Cup – a flagship event in the international endurance circuit – returns to the ancient oasis for the fifth time from Saturday February 10 to Sunday February 11 at AlUla’s Equestrian Village, with the biggest prize money for any endurance event.
With the competition just around the corner, here’s all you need to know about The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup.
What is the Endurance Cup?
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in partnership with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) and Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF), the Endurance Cup is a prelude to the 2026 FEI World Endurance Championships in AlUla.
Hours of rigorous riding
Riders will compete in the 120km FEI 2* and 160km FEI 3* distance competitions on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Navigating the unique and rugged desert terrain, the riders will set off at sunrise against the stunning backdrop of the rocky outcrops.
As always, participants must prioritise stamina and strategic pace management in these gruelling long-distance challenges.
While the competition involves timed rides, the primary focus remains on ensuring the well-being of both rider and horse, emphasising the importance of completing all loops in optimal condition rather than pursuing sheer speed.
The ultimate endurance horse event
This year’s Endurance Cup again welcomes some of the greatest riders, horses, and trainers from all around the world. Men and women compete together across four varying circuits.
Did you know that nearly 20 per cent of the 200 riders who participated in the 2022 edition of the cup competition were women? This year, seven local riders, who have been trained all year round, will be partaking in the event – six in the 120km FEI 2* and one in the 160km FEI 3*.
How to watch?
Equestrian fans interested in attending this year’s Endurance Cup at AlUla’s Equestrian Village require a ticket.
Not many details, including when tickets go on sale, event times and information, have been revealed yet, but watch this space as soon as we have more updates.
Images: Supplied