UAE Team to Compete in World Endurance Championship in Portugal
Mdmar – Abu Dhabi – WAM
The UAE endurance team delegation has arrived in Portugal ahead of its participation in the World Endurance Championship for 8-year-old horses, which will be held tomorrow, Friday, in Barroca de Alva under the supervision of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The championship will feature around 116 male and female riders representing 26 countries.
The UAE horses competing in the championship have also arrived in preparation for the final stages of training and the veterinary inspection scheduled for today, Thursday, ahead of the approval of the final list of competitors.
The UAE riders will compete over a distance of 120 kilometres, aiming to retain both the individual and team titles after dominating the two categories in the last two editions, while continuing the UAE endurance sport’s record of achievements and strong presence on the international stage.
The championship’s opening ceremony is expected to take place today in the town of Alcochete, in the presence of the participating delegations, while the competition itself will begin on Friday morning at the endurance village in Barroca de Alva.
“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
The UAE team enters the championship seeking to retain the titles in both the individual and team categories after winning gold in the two previous editions — in Sardinia, Italy, in 2024, and in Julliange, France, in 2025.
UAE riders excelled in the previous edition, with rider Saif Ahmed Al Mazrouei winning the individual title aboard **Bolio Cosello**, while rider Issa Rashid Al Mazrouei finished second aboard **Al Fatina**, giving the UAE both the gold and silver medals, in addition to the team gold.
UAE riders have an impressive record in the history of the championship, having won the individual title eight times, as well as the team title in the last two editions.
“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
The event’s programme also includes the **Hala Nations Cup** on Saturday and Sunday, with broad international participation. The cup is named after champion mare **Hala**, in recognition of her historic achievement with UAE rider Salem Hamad Malhoof, after the pair won the 160-kilometre World Endurance Championship in Pisa, Italy, in 2021. The organisation of the cup reflects the UAE’s strong commitment to supporting endurance riding and enhancing its international presence and reach.
“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.
