Two days of elite endurance racing reinforce AlUla’s position as a global hub for world-class equestrian sport
Saudi Arabia’s Alsalmi won back-to-back titles in the CEI2*–120km race, before UAE rider Almazrouei claimed the 160km AlMutadil Cup
Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village – AlFursan will host the FEI Endurance World Championship in November
AlUla: AlFursan Endurance AlUla Presented by Defender concluded on Sunday following two days of elite international competition that reaffirmed AlUla’s growing reputation as a premier destination for equestrianism and provided the perfect prelude ahead of November’s FEI Endurance World Championship.
The seventh edition of the prestigious event brought together 295 elite riders from 71 countries, competing in two standout races: the CEI2*–120km on Day 1 and the AlMutadil Cup on Day 2, a 160km race with a CEI3* rating.
The prestigious event was staged at the Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village – AlFursan and set against AlUla’s remarkable landscape and iconic landmarks.
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF) and under the supervision of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), AlFursan Endurance AlUla Presented by Defender once again delivered endurance racing of the highest international standard.
History was made on Saturday, 7 February when Saudi Arabia’s Muhannad Alsalmi, riding Nebras Muscat, successfully retained the CEI2* title he first won in 2025. In a riveting finale to the 120km course, Alsalmi edged ahead of the UAE’s Rashid Mohd Ibrahim Al Baloushi to take the victory and spark incredible celebrations.
The opening race perfectly set the tone for a competition defined by tactical racing, endurance, and exceptional horsemanship.
The event reached its climax on Sunday, 8 February with the AlMutadil Cup; endurance riding’s ultimate test of stamina, skill, and partnership between rider and horse. In a similarly thrilling finish, the UAE’s Saif Ahmed Mohammed Ali Almazrouei, riding Bullio Quasillo, secured an impressive triumph just one second ahead of Bahrain’s Mohamed Abdulhameed Alhashemi.
It was a riveting contest that closely resembled the intensity and challenge that awaits the world’s finest riders and horses in AlUla later this year.
AlFursan Endurance AlUla Presented by Defender served as a defining milestone in the build-up to the FEI Endurance World Championship, which will be hosted at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village – AlFursan on 28 November. The successful delivery of two days of championship-level racing further underlined AlUla’s readiness to host the pinnacle competition in endurance equestrianism.
Throughout the weekend, the Equestrian Village provided a vibrant hub for spectators, with immersive cultural activations, live entertainment, and rider engagements complementing the on-course spectacle and reflecting AlUla’s deep-rooted equestrian heritage.
Ziad Alsuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “AlFursan Endurance AlUla Presented by Defender delivered exactly what it set out to achieve: world-class competition, exceptional standards, and a compelling preview for what lies ahead later this year. The performances over the two days reinforce AlUla’s position as a global hub for elite equestrian sport.
“This event has provided the perfect platform as we now turn our focus towards welcoming the world back to AlUla for the FEI Endurance World Championship in November.”
AlFursan Endurance AlUla forms part of the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar – a year-round programme created to showcase AlUla as a premier destination for sport, culture, and heritage. AlUla continues to host a growing portfolio of international sports events, including the UCI ProSeries AlUla Tour, AlUla Desert Polo, and AlUla Trail Race.
With momentum firmly established following a successful event, attention now turns to November, when AlUla welcomes the world for the FEI Endurance World Championship.
