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Tom Sites: Finding Peace in the Great American Horse Race | Travel Grit Podcast
Travel Grit podcast - Listen
Tom Sites showed up to the starting line of the Great American Horse Race with $750, a $15 saddle, and a horse he barely knew—100 days later, he was one of only 54 finishers out of 92 starters.
Click here to listen to Tom’s Great American Horse Race story.
An Analysis of a Possible Italy Team for the 2026 WEC
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET - January 7 2025
As of December 9, 2025, Italy holds the status of a technical heavyweight with high expectations, following their crucial role as the host nation for the 2025 European Championships.
While France and Spain currently hold the top two spots in global rankings, Italy is widely considered the leader of the "chasing pack," consistently fighting for the bronze medal position against nations like Bahrain and Brazil.
Here is the detailed status of the Italian Team ("Azzurri") for the 2026 cycle...
More at http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/ItalyTeamAnalysis.html
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival 2026 to begin on 6 January
Festival brings together the world’s leading endurance riders, placing Dubai at the centre of the global endurance calendar
19th edition opens with the 120 km Ladies ride, the first of four events on the festival programme
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 5 January 2026: Dubai is set to host the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival 2026 at Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) in Seih Al Salam, with the competition set to begin on 6 January.
Held under the patronage and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the festival will bring together the world’s leading endurance riders, placing Dubai at the centre of the global endurance calendar.
One of the most prestigious competitions in the sport, the festival is held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, a World Endurance Champion whose long-standing support has played a central role in the development of equestrian sport…
Read more here:
http://news.endurance.net/2026/01/his-highness-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid.html
An Analysis of a Possible Spanish Team for the 2026 WEC
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET - January 5 2025 - As of December 9, 2025, Spain enters the 2026 World Championship cycle as a major powerhouse and arguably the strongest challenger to France’s dominance.
Spain is currently the Reigning European Champion, having won the Team Gold Medal at the FEI European Championship in Castiglione del Lago, Italy, in June 2025. This victory has solidified their status as a top contender for the World title in AlUla.
Here is the detailed status of the Spanish Team ("Equipo Español") for the 2026 cycle...
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD toward the cooperative horse - Dennis Summers
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD toward the cooperative horse
by Dennis Summers
December 20, 2025
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD toward the cooperative horse is a collection of experiences and methods gleaned from my lifetime around horses. Most involved young or inexperienced horses during the time period between early starting training and the solid (cooperative horse.) For that reason I feel there may be nuggets for the average Joe and Jolene that is bringing along a young horse straight from the trainer or just dealing with the inevitable training issues that come up.
I like to search for solutions to problems and did my best to put them to paper. As I said in the book, problem finding is the easiest thing in the world. Problem solving, that is gold. The short cuts toward the cooperative horse for me have been few and far between. Thinking like a horse, a goal of a working partnership with my horse and mind numbing repetition seem to be themes that arise over and over. There are those occasional breakthrough moments or rides that make all that effort worth while.
Bringing the young horse to the point of actual cooperation is a great challenge. For me the rewards have been immeasurable.
The White Coat Army: Staffing the Veterinary Front Line for AlUla 2026
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND — Jan 3, 2026 — When the 2026 World Endurance Championship kicks off in AlUla, the most critical team on the ground will not be wearing the colors of Bahrain, France, or the UAE. They will be wearing the official FEI bibs.
Veterinary staffing for a desert World Championship is a massive logistical operation. Unlike European rides where the climate is forgiving, AlUla requires a "field hospital" approach to handle metabolic stress in real-time.
Here are the key officials who presided over the metabolic challenges of the recent test....Based on FEI Championship protocols and the specific demands of the Saudi climate, Endurance.net projects the following estimated deployment for the "White Coat Army..."
Read more at http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/VetFrontLine.html
2025 Goethe Gallivant photos by Maria Phillips
2025 Goethe Gallivant Endurance ride photos in Florida by Maria Phillips:
https://mariaphillips.smugmug.com/Endurance-2026/Goethe-Gallivant-2026
WEC 2026: The Officials Report: Who Managed the "Test Event" Vet Gate?
ALULA, KSA — December 9, 2025 — The veterinary management of the recent Test Event (November 2025) offered a clear preview of the officiating roster we can expect for the World Championship in 2026.
As is standard for the major AlUla fixtures (including the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup), the veterinary team was a strategic coalition of Saudi leadership and Italian technical expertise (managed by Sistema Eventi, the long-time technical partner for AlUla endurance).
Here are the key officials who presided over the metabolic challenges of the recent test...
Great Britain: Chichester rider and former racehorse shortlisted for national equestrian award
Sussexexpress.co.uk - Full Article
By Henry Bryant
Published 22nd Dec 2025
A West Sussex endurance rider and her former racehorse are celebrating national recognition after being shortlisted for one of British racing’s most respected honours.
Alex Embiricos, from Kirdford near Chichester, and her horse Cru Bourgeois have been named finalists for the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Partnership of the Year Award at the 2026 RoR Awards, supported by The Jockey Club.
The award recognises inspirational partnerships involving former racehorses and celebrates not only sporting success, but resilience, welfare and positive impact beyond racing.
Cru Bourgeois arrived in the UK from Ireland as a failed racehorse and faced serious health challenges. He was underweight, lacking confidence and later developed severe abscesses diagnosed as keratoma, followed by stress induced laminitis.
Under Alex’s care, alongside specialist veterinary support, Cru recovered and began an entirely new career in endurance riding...
Read more here:
https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/chichester-rider-and-former-racehorse-shortlisted-for-national-equestrian-award-5451566
Behind Gray Walls Podcast features Idaho’s Old Selam Endurance ride
By Merri Melde-Endurance.net
December 27 2025
Idaho’s Old Selam Endurance ride near Centerville, Idaho, has been in existence 1979. The name Old Selam comes from the Idaho Penitentiary’s most famous horse, Selam, who was used by two prison inmates to escape the prison. Bob Meeks was recaptured, but Sam Bruner never was. Selam was discovered wandering near the Snake River 6 months later. (See full story below.)
Samuel Anderson, Research and Education Coordinator for the Old Idaho Penitentiary, visited the 2025 Old Selam Endurance ride, captivating listeners at Saturday’s ride meeting with the story of Old Selam and the hopeful prison escapees. He also interviewed numerous riders during the weekend about the sport of endurance and their involvement, for the podcast, Behind Gray Walls.
Featured in the podcast are endurance riders Carolyn Roberts, Suzy Hayes, Suzanne Ford-Huff, Christoph Schork, veterinarian Robert Washington, Karen Steenhof, Tani Bates, and LuAnn DeYoung...
More at http://www.endurance.net/FeaturedStories/#OldSelamPodcast
2025: The Year in Endurance
FEI.org - Full Article
by Stacey Stearns
Horsemanship and sportsmanship defined the year...
The 2025 Endurance season showcased the sport’s increasing depth, global reach, and renewed energy – from Europe to Asia, and from rising youth stars to the most seasoned senior competitors.
The year’s defining themes were renewal, youth, and continuity: experienced champions continued to deliver at the highest level while a new generation of riders and nations made remarkable strides.
Throughout the season, one constant shone through – the extraordinary partnership between equine and human athletes and the global community that supports them. These partnerships remain the foundation of Endurance.
Senior and continental champions crowned
Europe’s top riders met in June at Castiglione del Lago (ITA) for a memorable edition of the FEI Endurance European Championship.
The Netherlands’ Marijke Visser and Chaitana des Chaises claimed Individual gold with a performance that blended tactical precision, pace management, and the unmistakable trust between horse and rider over a 160km track. The Netherlands also captured Team bronze.
“When we reached the last kilometres, I asked Chaitana to take the lead,” Visser said. “She knew it was showtime. I was still trying to control her speed, but she took over the game. Chaitana won the gold for us. She made us so proud...”
Read more at:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/2025-year-endurance-review
An Analysis of a Possible French Team for the 2026 WEC
An Analysis of a Possible French Team for the 2026 WEC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET
December 22 2025
As of December 2025, France holds the title of the team to beat for the 2026 World Endurance Championship.
France is currently the Reigning World Champion, having won the Team Gold at the most recent World Championship in Monpazier, France (September 2024), and successfully defending the title they won in Butheeb (UAE) in 2023.
Here is the detailed status of the French squad ("Groupe France") heading into the 2026 AlUla cycle:
1. Current Team Status: The "Gold Standard"
Under the leadership of Chef d'Equipe Jean-Michel Grimal, France arguably has the deepest bench of elite 160km horses in the world.
- Ranking: France is currently ranked #1 in the world for team depth.
- Recent Form: They dominated the 2024 World Championship on home soil (Monpazier) by focusing on high completion rates rather than just individual speed—a strategy Grimal is famous for instilling...
Endurance GB congratulates Jane on Livery Live Para National Championship League success
EnduranceGB.co.uk - full article
Bella Fricker
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Endurance GB congratulates Jane, winner of the Livery Live Para Emerald Championship. Her journey with Grace celebrates inclusion, partnership and progress, showing how Para Endurance opens the sport to everyone.
Endurance GB is delighted to congratulate Jane Atack, winner of the Livery Live Para National Championship League – Emerald Championship (under 30km).
The Para National Championship Leagues recognise cumulative points achieved across the season within specific distance bands. They celebrate not just performance on the day, but progress, versatility and long-term commitment to the sport. Jane’s Emerald Championship win perfectly embodies the spirit of Para Endurance: opening the door to endurance riding and encouraging more people to give it a go, whatever their ability or background.
Jane’s endurance journey began not with medals in mind, but with a horse called Grace — and a desire to explore the countryside safely...
Read more here:
https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Endurance+GB+congratulates+Jane+on+Livery+Live+Para+National+Championship+League+success
2025 Goethe Benefit photos by Maria Phillips
2025 Goethe Benefit Endurance ride photos in Florida by Maria Phillips:
https://mariaphillips.smugmug.com/Endurance-2025/Goethe-Benefit-Ride
2025 Ride in the Pines photos by Becky Pearman
2025 Ride in the Pines Endurance ride photos in South Carolina by Becky Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2025/Ride-in-the-Pines-12-25
WEC 2026: Thoughts on USA Team Strategy
CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM
TO: USA Endurance Chef d’Equipe (Designate) FROM: High Performance Advisory Group / Endurance.net Strategic Desk DATE: December 10, 2025 SUBJECT: PRE-MISSION BRIEFING: 2026 FEI World Endurance Championship (AlUla, KSA)
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The operational environment for the 2026 World Championship in AlUla is defined by high attrition (62%) and technical volatility. The “Sandbox” narrative is false; this is a hybrid terrain event where the transition from deep sand to volcanic bedrock (Loop 3) is the primary point of failure.
Our path to the podium is not through speed (Bahrain/UAE) but through survivability. The data from the November 2025 Test Event indicates that a team completion strategy averaging 20.5 km/h with sub-9 minute recoveries is statistically sufficient for a Team Bronze or Silver, provided we survive Loop 3...
More at http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/USATeamStrategy.html
WEC 2026: An Analysis of Japan Endurance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET
The Japan Report: The “Asian Games” Dilemma and the Shadow of the Saudi Cup
TOKYO, JAPAN — December 10, 2025 — While the endurance world watches the Gulf nations arm themselves for the 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC) in AlUla, the Japanese delegation remains an enigma.
Japan is currently the world’s leading power in flat racing on Saudi soil (having dominated the $20M Saudi Cup in Riyadh with horses like Panthalassa and Forever Young). However, their Endurance program operates in a completely different reality.
Here is the Endurance.net strategic analysis of Japan’s intentions for AlUla 2026, and why their team might be the most conflicted on the grid...
More at http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/JapanEnduranceAnalysis.html
WEC 2026: AlUla Organizing Committee Commits to Track Modifications Ahead of February Showdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET
ALULA, KSA — December 12, 2025 — Following the grueling technical challenge of the November 28th Test Event, which saw a completion rate of just 38% among the CEI 3* field, the AlUla Organizing Committee (OC) has moved swiftly to address the concerns of the international delegation. With the AlFursan Cup in February 2026 serving as the final "dress rehearsal" for the World Championship, the focus has shifted entirely from celebrating the venue's beauty to refining its rideability.
Framing their response to the high attrition rate, the OC issued a decisive statement this morning acknowledging the "unforgiving nature" of the volcanic sectors in Loop 3. "We have analyzed the veterinary data and rider feedback from the November test, and while the technical challenge is intentional, we are committed to grading the volcanic rock sections to ensure the welfare of the horse remains paramount," the statement read. "For the February AlFursan Cup, competitors will see significant adjustments to the footing in the Ashar Valley transitions, ensuring a fairer test that rewards horsemanship without punishing soundness..."
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