World’s elite unite in Dubai for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Endurance Festival

The 19th edition of the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival is set to reaffirm Dubai’s place at the very heart of global endurance riding when the five-day spectacle unfolds at Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC), Seih Al Salam, from Tuesday, January 6 to Saturday, January 10.

Widely regarded as the most prestigious endurance festival in the world, the event brings together elite riders and horses from across continents to compete alongside the UAE’s finest endurance talent.

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For the uninitiated, endurance riding is an equestrian sport at its purest: marathon races contested over long distances of 120 to 160 kilometres that test the stamina of both horse and rider, as well as strategy, teamwork, while the welfare of the horse is of paramount importance. Riders must balance speed with care, navigating multiple loops and terrain with several mandatory veterinary inspections to ensure their horse remains fit to continue.

Held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a former World Endurance Champion and one of the sport’s greatest advocates, the festival reflects both tradition and progress.

Over nearly two decades, the festival has mirrored the evolution of endurance riding itself. What was once a sport driven by large fields and raw speed, the emphasis has shifted toward selective, quality-conscious breeding, elite horsemanship, and scientific preparation by leading stables in the UAE and abroad.

That evolution has elevated endurance to one of the most demanding disciplines on the world equestrian stage, and Dubai and the sport’s parent body, the Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), have been central to that progression.

Organised by Dubai Equestrian Club, the festival comprises four rides across five days, opening with the 120km Ladies Ride, followed by the Private Stables Ride, the Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares, and culminating in Saturday’s marquee 160km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, the ultimate test of horse, rider, and team.

Focus on safety, excellence

Ahmed Rashed Mohammed Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, said preparations at the state-of-the-art DIEC were complete and the focus was firmly on safety and excellence.

“This festival is a key fixture on the international endurance calendar. DIEC provides a highly competitive environment for athletes while offering an engaging experience for spectators,” Al Kaabi told Khaleej Times.

It reflects the UAE’s leadership in delivering competitions that meet the highest standards of the sport. However, the well-being of both horse and rider is paramount to us.”

All eyes will once again be on Emirati horseman Saif Al Mazrouei, who returns to defend an extraordinary double achieved 12 months ago. Riding for MRM Stables, Al Mazrouei claimed both the Gamilati Cup for Mares aboard Bullio Ahnu and the feature HH Cup over 160km with Magic Glenn Torque, delivering a tactically brilliant performance that underlined his status among the world’s elite.

The HH Cup, run over five loops and 160 gruelling kilometres, is endurance riding at its most unforgiving. Strategy, patience, and flawless teamwork are essential, and Al Mazrouei knows better than most what it takes to win.

Where champions Are tested

“Nothing is ever given in this ride,” Al Mazrouei said. “The competition gets stronger every year, and everyone comes here prepared. To win it once is special; to defend it would mean everything. You have to respect the distance, respect your horse, and be brave at the right moment.”

Challenging him is an elite international field, but also one of the UAE’s brightest young stars. Rashid Mohammed Al Muhairi, the reigning FEI World Champion for Young Riders and Juniors, steps up to compete in the HH Cup after conquering the global stage in Romania last year.

For Al Muhairi, the festival represents more than a race; it is a dream rooted in inspiration.

“This race carries the name of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who is my biggest inspiration, and winning a race run in his honour is the dream of every endurance rider,” said Al Muhiair. “I’ve prepared for this moment, and I’m ready to deliver the best performance of my life on Saturday.”

As endurance riding continues to grow globally, demanding higher standards of horsemanship, welfare, and professionalism, the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival remains its gold standard.