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Saudi Arabia: Al Fursan Cup - Alisija Zabavska
Lithuania’s Alisija Zabavska shares her experience riding the FEI** 120-km Al Fursan Cup
February 13 2026
By Alisija Zabavska
The best friendships are built on a bonds, that are created by overcoming a struggles, an adventures, mutual interests, things in common and a happy ends. This is exactly how this one was built.
Efi Koutsafti and I didn’t know of one another at all, till we met in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia for the first time, representing Greece & Lithuania, at a prestigious FEI **120km Al Fursan Cup, which drew 200 starters from a record 71 countries.
As soon as I finally got there, from a 35 hour travel on a day of a vet inspection, we were thrown on the horses we were entered on, to go for a quick test ride and then immediately after that I needed to get some sleep. That’s when I found out that a farm stay, that was booked for us, had only one room for the ladies, with a king size bed and a bathroom to share. Neither of us were thrilled about it but in this situation it was too late to make any last minute changes. We didn’t get a chance to chat at all, because when Efi got to the farm that evening - I was already passed out.
Next morning, we got up early to get picked up to go to the venue…
Read the rest here:
http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/ZabavskaFursanCup.html
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 1 – Sparks Cancelled. Sniffles Confirmed.
Image credits to @adventuristbarbie @merypastrana_fotografia
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
19th February 2026
We’ve been wondering… ‘What happened to the fireworks?’
Start line was quite boring for all the crew today as every rider, and ever more spectacularly yet- every saddlebag managed to defy gravity off the start line. This year’s riders have been especially professional and on top of their game.
The pack promptly cantered off into the wilderness together and then decided to make a holiday of it and settled into a big mob camp out at Vet Check One...
Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-1-sparks-cancelled-sniffles-confirmed/
Meet the Amazonian racing 500km across Patagonia for women's health
AboutAmazon.eu - Full Article
Written by About Amazon Team
February 17 2026
Madeleine, Pan-EU Account Executive at Amazon in France, is preparing for one of the world's toughest horse races: the Gaucho Derby, a 500km orientation endurance challenge across Patagonia.
The 10-day race isn't just about personal achievement—Madeleine is raising funds for a charity which provides healthcare access to France's most vulnerable women.
After completing the 1,000km Mongol Derby in 2022 and raising €18,000 for charity, Madeleine is back in the saddle with an even bigger mission. On February 18, Madeleine Motelay will mount a horse she's never ridden before and begin racing across 500 kilometres of Patagonian wilderness. For the next 10 days, the CDG10-based Account Executive will navigate through the mountains, sleep in a tent alone, and switch to a new horse every 70 kilometres. We caught up with Madeleine before her departure to learn what motivates her, how she's preparing, and why vulnerable women's healthcare access matters so much to her...
Read more here:
https://www.aboutamazon.eu/news/community-engagement/meet-the-amazonian-racing-500km-across-patagonia-for-womens-health
2025 Gator Run photos by Maria Phillips
2026 Gator Run Endurance ride photos in Florida by Maria Phillips:
https://mariaphillips.smugmug.com/Endurance-2026/Gator-Run2026
From the Grand National to 500km across Patagonia - Gold Cup-winning rider to take on challenge dubbed 'ultimate test of horse and jockey'
RacingPost.com - Full Article
Sam Waley-Cohen is preparing for the ultra-endurance test, which takes place over ten days in South America
Matt Rennie
10 February 2026
He conquered the Grand National fences on several occasions, but Sam Waley-Cohen is raring to take on an even more extreme test of stamina for both horse and rider as he attempts to add the Gaucho Derby to his impressive list of triumphs.
Waley-Cohen was one of Britain's most successful amateur jockeys, winning a Gold Cup and two King George VI Chases before retiring with victory on Noble Yeats in the 2022 Aintree showpiece. Now he is set to get back in the saddle for a 500km challenge across Patagonia in South America.
The race is similar to another famous ultra-endurance test, the Mongol Derby, and Waley-Cohen flies out on Wednesday ahead of some pre-race training days, with the event proper beginning on February 18.
He said: "It's completely different from the racing we're used to across a brilliant area of country – it's like the old western pioneers. It's going to be a new adventure, and a proper test, but it should be great fun"...
Read more here:
https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/from-the-grand-national-to-500km-across-patagonia-gold-cup-winning-rider-to-take-on-challenge-dubbed-ultimate-test-of-horse-and-jockey-at0af6V2fs04/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Pre-race training – Weighed In. Blown Away.
Equestrianists.com - Full Article
Stevie Delahunt
15th February 2026
It’s Sunday Funday here at Start Camp and the weather is a balmy 30 knots of wind with extra gusts. The riders are getting just a taste of what these biblical tides of air can really do. Patagonia is known for blowing roofs off of Puestos (strongholds built for use by Gauchos within the far out foothills) and being so vehement entire highways are closed until it subsides.
Amidst the summer breeze friendships and alliances are forming and tents are falling. ACA, TOM and ACP have been paling around as a happy 2025 academy graduate gang whilst GHE and NMC have trauma bonded over having sent their lost kit on its own adventure somewhere in Turkey. To their chagrin the surprise retirement of two riders looks like they’ll be able to commandeer all the items needed to clear the mandatory kit list officially required for them to hit the start line...
Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-pre-race-training-weighed-in-blown-away/?fbclid=IwY2xjawP_PjVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEebUi-SamlMyRg1aP7huHfB2pKmCYdzEfaFjFw96tljJOXhYxCTwX8xnDXZUA_aem_AYCpirBJ3DEZEjDd-WRtjg
Bahrain: Al Anezi claims endurance cup
Sun, 15 Feb 2026
ENDURANCE HORSERACING – VICTORIOUS rider Isa Hameed Al Anezi won the main event in the His Majesty the King’s Cup Endurance Festival 2026 yesterday to cap the three-day meeting at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
Al Anezi took first place in the 160-kilometre international ride to lift the His Majesty the King’s International Endurance Cup.
His Majesty King Hamad’s humanitarian work and youth affairs representative, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman, and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the event’s concluding day. Shaikh Nasser presented Al Anezi and other winners their respective prizes.
Also on hand was Supreme Council for Environment vice-president, Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club High Committee deputy chairman, and SCYS member Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
Al Anezi triumphed after completing the gruelling distance ahead of KHK rider Mohammed Al Subaie, who was the runner-up, while Faisal Hameed Al Anezi claimed third overall...
Read more here:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1376169/Al-Anezi-claims-endurance-cup
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Rider rollcall
Equestrianists.com - Full Article
Holly Conyers
12th February 2026
Derby fans, buenos días. We’re back. The long wait since the nail biting finale and thrilling live coverage of the 2025 Mongol Derby is over. In just under a week’s time, on Wednesday 18 February 2026, the start flag will go down on the 3rd official Gaucho Derby. 42 supremely talented (and slightly mad) jockeys will hoof it out into the wilds, as the long race to the Finish Line fiesta begins. And – equally importantly – everyone following along from home will have something utterly addictive to distract them from boring inconveniences like work and other minor responsibilities for 10 glorious days to come.
Get ready for your new obsession. The Gaucho Derby is back.
The hour draws near. While the crew are already here and busy cleaning out the local vinotecas to stock the Start Camp bar, the riders are beginning to trickle into El Calafate. They have less than 48 hours to make any final frantic changes to their packing list and game plan, before they load up onto the bus for the long journey to head out to our remote Start Camp. As months – and in some cases, years – of careful prep and dreams come to a head, they’ll be asking themselves the questions that really matter: How many pairs of pants do I really need to ride 10 days and 500km across Patagonia? Is deodorant a luxury I can in fact do without?...
Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-rider-rollcall/
Ralph "Buddy" Gleason Jr. 1943-2026
Legacy.com
Ralph Gleason Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Sullivan-King Mortuary & Crematory - Anderson on Feb. 11, 2026.
Ralph Newton "Buddy" Gleason Jr., 82, of Townville, passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2026, following several years of declining health.
Buddy was born to Ralph N. Gleason Sr. and Marjorie Little Gleason on Oct. 14, 1943, in Salem, Oregon. He was a graduate of Carson Newman College and earned a masters degree from East Tennessee State University.
He served in the U.S. Army for three years where he was assigned to military intelligence and spent most of his time in Heidelberg, Germany. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 8, 1972.
Buddy worked as a counselor for the Alston Wilkes Society in Anderson for many years. He had a love for animals and his passion was horseback riding with his many friends. He participated in many endurance riding events and was recognized with several awards by the American Endurance Ride Conference. Buddy was very patriotic and loved his country. He always looked forward to the annual Gleason family reunions in Townville and oversaw the reunion for many years...
Read the rest here
Saudi Arabia: Al Fursan Cup weekend results
Endurance Lifestyle photo
Endurance.net
February 11 2025
By Endurance.net
Two races were held over Saudi Arabia’s AlUla course which will host the 2026 World Endurance Championship in November.
Saturday’s 120-km CEI2* Al Fursan Endurance Cup had 200 starters and 83 finishers.
Winner was Saudi Arabia’s Muhannad Alsalmi aboard Nebras Muscat. It was Alsalmi’s second win in a row in the cup. The UAE took second, third, and fourth places. Saeed Mohd Albaloushi finished 4 seconds back in second aboard Castlebar Shazam, Saeed Ahman Alharbi rode La Tache D’Jok Trio to third place, and Saif Almazrouei rode Abela De L Enclos to fourth.
The Netherlands’ Marijke Visser was the first European to finish. Riding Djawann De Madigou, they finished in 11th place.
Sunday’s featured 160-km Mutadil Endurance Cup had 90 starters and 19 finishers...
Read the rest here
2026 Broxton Bridge photos by Becky Pearman
2026 Broxton January Endurance ride photos in South Carolina by Becky
Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2026/Broxton-January
Saudi Arabia: 71 Countries represented at the Al Fursan Endurance AlUla this weekend
http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/
February 6 2026
From February 6-8, AlUla (KSA) will once become the stage for the Al Fursan Cup, in an extraordinary setting for this year’s November World Endurance Championship, where sport, heritage and landscape meet at the highest level of international competition.
Riders and horses from across the globe will compete in the CEI2* 120 km and CEI3* 160 km, chasing a total prize money of 20 million SAR.
According to Endurance Lifestyle, 71 countries will be represented in the desert of AlUla — the highest number of countries ever gathered in an FEI endurance competition.
“From every corner of the globe, riders and horses come together on one extraordinary stage, turning AlUla into the true crossroads of international endurance.
“Different flags. One sport. One desert. One historic moment. Endurance has never been this global.”
More at http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/#AlFursanCupBegins
AlUla 2026 Preview: The "Sandbox" Dress Rehearsal Before the World Championship Showdown
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET - February 5 2026 - ALULA, KSA — Dec 9, 2025 — The endurance world is turning its eyes back to the desert. With the 2026 FEI World Endurance Championship slated for AlUla next November, the upcoming AlFursan Cup in February 2026 has transformed from a prestigious calendar event into the ultimate strategic battleground.
For the National Federations, the "off-season" is officially over. This February isn't just about the purse money; it’s the final, full-scale dress rehearsal on the WEC track.
Here is the Endurance.net analysis, the State of Play, on who is bringing what to the desert, and how you can track the action from home....
Great Britain: Pat Guerin Celebrates Extraordinary 20,000km Lifetime Distance Award in Endurance Riding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Knutsford, Cheshire – British endurance rider Pat Guerin has reached a remarkable milestone, achieving 20,000 competitive kilometres in endurance riding, marking more than four decades of dedication to the sport she first discovered in the late 1970s. “I am absolutely delighted and still can’t quite believe I have ridden so many successful competitive kilometres,” said Pat. “It’s been an incredible journey.”
Pat has ridden since the age of five, but her endurance career began after moving from Suffolk to Cheshire in 1977. Answering a local newspaper advert to exercise hunters led to her first endurance ride in 1978 on the mare Treble Chance, a 40-mile Exmoor qualifier. From that moment, she was hooked. She went on to ride for several years before purchasing the iconic Blue ‘G’, beginning a partnership that would define much of her early success.
Among Pat’s many highlights are 3rd and 4th placings in the EHPS Summer Solstice 100-mile rides, the unforgettable experience of mass starts in the dark, and being shortlisted for a Great Britain team to compete in the USA in 1988. In 1989, she rode for England in the winning team at the very first Home International. Pat has also placed in the top five of the prestigious Manar Trophy on four occasions—once with Blue ‘G’ and three times with C F Winter Amadeus...
Read the rest here
An Analysis of a Possible Chilean Team for the 2026 WEC
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET - February 3 2026 - As of December 9, 2025, Chile holds the status of a "high-potential wild card" for the 2026 World Endurance Championship.
While Brazil is the volume leader in South America, Chile produces elite individual riders who often train and compete in Europe or the UAE, making them dangerous competitors for a top-10 individual finish.
Here is the detailed status of the Chilean Team ("La Roja") for the 2026 cycle: ...
Kentucky Endurance Race Participants Raising Money for Aftercare
Bloodhorse.com - Full Article
Lucy Burnett and Bobbi Westbrook will ride in the 500-kilometer Gaucho Derby.
By Byron King
January 30 2026
Two Kentucky horsewomen will soon test their equestrian skills in one of the most remote and demanding races in the world while using the experience to raise funds for off-track Thoroughbreds.
Lucy Burnett and Bobbi Westbrook are two of more than 40 riders scheduled to compete in the upcoming Gaucho Derby, a 500-kilometer endurance race aboard equines across Patagonia in Argentina that tests riders' physical stamina and fortitude as much as riding skill. The contest, which begins Feb. 18, is organized by The Equestrianists and modeled after the better-known Mongol Derby. The 10-day ride sends competitors across rugged terrain, including mountains, open plains, river crossings, and grassy bogs, sometimes in volatile weather.
Riders navigate their mounts between checkpoints while carrying limited gear and supplies. Each rider alternates mounts throughout the race to be aboard fresh equines. The horses come from regional ranches, and they undergo regular veterinary inspections during the race to ensure soundness, hydration, and recovery. Time penalties are assessed for horses that do not meet recovery parameters, which, along with veterinary checks, are meant to ensure that participating horses are not overstressed...
Read more here:
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/289838/endurance-race-participants-raising-money-for-aftercare
An Analysis of a Possible Saudi Arabian Team for the 2026 WEC
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET - February 1 2026 - As of December 9, 2025, Saudi Arabia (KSA) holds the status of the Rising Host with arguably the most momentum of any nation in the sport.
While they have historically been in the shadow of their neighbors (UAE and Bahrain), the 2026 World Championship is their "coming out party." As the host nation, they have invested heavily in infrastructure and horse power to ensure they are not just organizers, but medal contenders.
Here is the detailed status of the Saudi Arabian Team ("Al Fursan") for the 2026 cycle: ...
Endurance Horse Podcast: A Decade Team and Three Tevis Completions: JayaMae Kaur & Foxfire’s Little Britches
EnduranceHorsePodcast - Listen
January 28 2026
by Christina Hyke
What happens when a rider from the hunter-jumper and Warmblood world heads out on her first endurance ride and quickly learns that endurance has a sense of humor of its own?
In this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, host Christina Hyke sits down with JayaMae Kaur for a fun, honest, and heartfelt conversation that includes plenty of laughter, learning, and long miles.
JayaMae shares her journey from hunter jumpers to trails and
endurance, exchanging Warmbloods for a remarkable Missouri Fox Trotter
mare who became her decade team horse and carried her to three Tevis
buckles. She reflects on what surprised her most at her very first
endurance ride, what she learned along the way, and why that
experience made her stick with the sport...
Read more and listen:
http://tracks.endurance.net/2026/01/endurance-horse-podcast-decade-team-and.html
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