Ultimate test of skill and endurance to attract more than 200 elite global athletes representing more than 65 nations
Among the top riders competing are Melody Theolissa, Marijke Visser & Sabrina Arnold
Event serves as final test for FEI World Endurance Championship in November
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AlUla : AlUla is set to become the epicenter of the global equestrian community as AlFursan Endurance AlUla returns on 7 and 8 February 2026. This seventh edition serves as the final preview and ultimate test event before the region hosts the prestigious FEI Endurance World Championship in November 2026 at AlUla.
Taking place amid the dramatic natural landscapes of AlUla, AlFursan AlUla Endurance is a vital event in the Kingdom’s evolving cultural and sporting landscape. The landmark equestrian competition brings the heritage of “AlFursan”, a term rooted in the Arab tradition of horsemanship and chivalry, into the modern era, showcasing the enduring bond between the Arabian horse and its rider through a world-class test of stamina, strategy, and trust.
Showcasing its global appeal and prominence, AlFursan Endurance AlUla 2026 will welcome more than 200 international and local riders representing over 65 different nations. These elite two and four legged athletes will converge at the state-of-the-art Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village – AlFursan to test their stamina and strategy against AlUla’s challenging desert terrain.
Last year’s champion of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, Saudi rider Muhannad Alsalmi, clinched victory at a remarkable average speed of 23.6 km/h, completing the course in 13 hours, 9 minutes, and 15 seconds, and returns in 2026 to defend his title.
Among other top riders competing are Melody Theolissa (FRA), bronze medallist at the FEI World Endurance Championship in Monpazier 2024 and the current number one ranked rider in the FEI standings; Marijke Visser (NED), reigning European Champion following her victory in Castiglione del Lago 2025; Jaume Punti Dachs (ESP), a former World Champion (2016) and European Champion (2013 & 2015); and Sabrina Arnold (GER), two-time European Champion in 2023 and 2017.
Their presence underscores the level of competition in AlUla and highlights the event’s importance as a benchmark ahead of the upcoming World Championship.
“AlFursan Endurance AlUla has grown into a cornerstone of our sporting calendar, and this seventh edition marks a pivotal moment as we prepare to welcome the world in November for the FEI Endurance World Championship,” said Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at Royal Commission for AlUla. “By introducing a sophisticated new track design that traverses our unique desert landscape and iconic heritage sites, we are providing more than 200 elite athletes with the ultimate technical test. This event not only showcases AlUla as a premier global destination for equestrian sport but also honors our deep-rooted history and the enduring bond between horse and rider.”
The 2026 event debuts a sophisticated new track design meticulously engineered to challenge both horse and athlete. The event includes two competitions:
- Day 1 (CEI2* 120 KM): Taking place Saturday, 7 February, featuring four distinct phases (loops).
- Day 2 (CEI3* 160 KM): Taking place Sunday, 8 February, taking in all six competition loops.
The competitions unfold over multiple phases (loops), ensuring variety of terrain, showcasing the unique landscape of AlUla and its iconic landmarks:
- Yellow Loop: 36.4 km
- White Loop: 36.0 km
- Red Loop: 24.8 km
- Green Loop: 22.8 km
- Blue Loop: 20.0 km
- Pink Loop: 20.0 km
The picturesque tracks will guide riders past iconic sites including Elephant Rock, providing a challenging landscape that serves as the perfect precursor to the World Championship. This event sets the stage for a historic milestone in November 2026 when for the first time ever, the FEI Endurance World Championship will pass through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra. This unprecedented integration of world-class sport and ancient heritage marks a new chapter in equestrian history.
Organised by Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation, and under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), AlFursan Endurance AlUla reflects the region’s broader ambition to cement its status as a premier global destination for equestrian sport, while creating lasting economic, social, and cultural opportunities for the local community in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
AlFursan Endurance AlUla forms part of the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar – a year-round programme of cultural, sporting, and entertainment experiences that celebrate AlUla as one of the world’s most extraordinary locations. Other upcoming elite sports events include the professional cycling AlUla Tour, the AlUla Trail Race, and AlUla Desert Blaze.
