Butheeb Set to Host the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship
- World’s Elite Riders to Compete for Global Honours Over 160km on 19 December
Mdmar – Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates is preparing to host the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship on Saturday, 19 December, at Butheeb International Endurance Village in Al Khatim, Abu Dhabi, bringing together the world’s leading endurance riders and horses for one of the most prestigious events on the international equestrian calendar.
Held under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the local organising committee, the championship programme will run from 14 to 20 December 2026, with the main 160km competition taking place on 19 December.
The event will feature individual and team competitions, with international riders competing for world championship titles.
Six Stages to Decide the World Champions
The 160km championship race will be contested over six stages across the desert tracks of Butheeb.
The opening stage will cover 31km, followed by two stages of 30km each, a fourth stage of 29km, and two final stages of 20km each.
According to the championship schedule approved by the FEI on 5 October 2026, the race is scheduled to begin at 5:45am UAE time.
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Throughout the competition, horses will undergo veterinary inspections to ensure their fitness and welfare, with mandatory rest periods and additional veterinary checks at designated points.
These procedures reflect the FEI’s commitment to horse welfare, making endurance riding a demanding test of stamina, horsemanship, strategy and veterinary management.
Butheeb Returns to the World Championship Spotlight
Butheeb International Endurance Village previously hosted the FEI Endurance World Championship in February 2023, when 129 riders from 37 nations participated, representing 23 teams.
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That championship saw Bahrain’s HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa claim individual gold aboard Dharko La Majorie.
The UAE’s Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi secured the silver medal, while Spain’s Jaume Punti Dachs took bronze.
In the team competition, France was officially awarded gold, Portugal silver and Italy bronze following subsequent amendments to the results and Bahrain’s disqualification.
Bahrain and France Target Further World Championship Success
The 2026 championship promises another fascinating contest following the most recent edition, staged in Monpazier, France, in 2024.
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At that championship, HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa successfully defended his individual world title, this time partnering Everest La Majorie.
France also retained the team world championship crown, finishing ahead of China, which claimed silver, and Malaysia, which secured bronze.
With leading endurance nations expected to assemble in Abu Dhabi, the forthcoming championship could witness another thrilling battle for international supremacy.
Extensive Preparations at Butheeb
Butheeb International Endurance Village is one of the region’s established endurance facilities.
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Founded through an initiative of the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the venue has played an important role in supporting traditional equestrian sports and developing endurance riding in the UAE.
The village features dedicated endurance tracks, veterinary facilities and infrastructure designed to accommodate horses, riders and technical teams.
As part of the preparatory programme, the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation has scheduled qualification competitions at Butheeb on 24 October over distances of 100km and 120km, followed by an 80km qualifying ride on 25 October.
These events form part of the wider endurance programme ahead of December’s international championship.
Countdown to the World Championship
According to the announced programme, the initial veterinary inspection and technical briefings will take place on 18 December, followed by the championship race on 19 December.
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The official prize-giving ceremony and closing celebrations are scheduled for 20 December.
As the countdown continues, Butheeb is preparing to welcome the international endurance community for another major sporting occasion in the Abu Dhabi desert.
The championship will demand far more than speed, with success determined by the ability of riders and horses to maintain consistent performance, manage energy efficiently and satisfy strict veterinary requirements throughout the challenging 160km course.
With individual and team world titles at stake, the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship at Butheeb promises to be one of the highlights of the international equestrian season.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
