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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..."
What Horses Are Most Likely to Develop Gastric Ulcers?
December 2, 2025
Posted by Phoebe A. Smith, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM
Find out what breed, discipline, and behavior factors might make a horse more susceptible to developing gastric ulcers.
Q: Are there any genetic, breed, or behavior predispositions to developing gastric ulcers, or can any horse be equally at risk?
A: Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is highly prevalent across multiple breeds and disciplines, but risk for developing EGUS might not be evenly distributed among breeds. Gastric ulcers can be caused by an interplay of genetic, breed-related, physiological, and behavioral or personality predispositions, combined with environmental and management factors. While any horse can develop gastric ulcers, certain horses consistently show as more vulnerable. However, it is difficult to separate breeds from discipline or management conditions in most situations and certainly in scientific literature.
Research suggests that Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds exhibit the highest prevalence of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), with rates reported between 70–90% in those engaged in active race training. Feed type and timing, management, and high-intensity exercise play significant roles in the development of ESGD, regardless of breed, likely influencing this reported prevalence. Warmbloods, especially those used in dressage and jumping, have higher reported rates of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) than horses of other breeds and disciplines in some scientific reports. However, some variability exists amongst these reports. Warmbloods involved in lower level (national versus international competition) jumping and those exercising an increased number of days were more prone to develop EGGD than others in one study.
Endurance horses, most commonly Arabian horses, are another group frequently reported to have increased ulcer rates, with 60–90% suffering from gastric ulceration when in competitive periods...
Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/1141247/what-horses-are-most-likely-to-develop-gastric-ulcers/?lid=w8fjvynckzy0&uuid=01922f47f62f001a2720598a0e2705075009a06d00dc4
Penticton rider qualifies for world’s toughest horse race
PentictonHerald.ca - Full Article
Special to the Herald Dec 5, 2025
Penticton equestrian instructor and horse trainer Michelle Van Baalen has qualified to compete in the 2027 Mongol Derby, widely regarded as the longest and toughest horse race in the world.
The race spans 1,000 kilometres across the Mongolian steppe, with riders spending up to 12 hours a day in the saddle for 10 days. Competitors change horses approximately every 35 kilometres, relying on stamina, navigation skills and resilience to endure the harsh and unpredictable terrain.
“The Mongol Derby is as much about teamwork and survival as it is about racing,” organizers note. Riders must be capable outdoorspeople, prepared to navigate remote countryside and face extreme weather conditions.
Van Baalen’s extensive background in multiple riding disciplines—Hunter Jumper, Rodeo and Endurance—along with her strong outdoor skills, helped her secure a place in the elite international event...
Read more here:
https://www.pentictonherald.ca/sports/article_73ec3141-ab88-4b47-8280-724d83a2679f.html
Back in the Saddle with a New Heart: Jessica’s ACM Story
SADS.org - Full Story
By Jessica V. and the SADS Foundation
Published December 2, 2025
Jessica swings into the saddle and heads out with her daughter for a 50-mile endurance horseback ride. From the outside, it might look like any other long-distance ride – but Jessica is doing it with a new heart after surviving cardiac arrest and years of misdiagnoses.
“Something’s wrong with my heart”
Jessica’s earliest memories of her heart go back to childhood. At nine years old, lying in bed at night, she could hear and feel her heart “skipping beats” in her ear. Her mom, an ER nurse, took her to the doctor. They did tests and told her family she had premature ventricular contractions (or PVCs) – extra beats that were brushed off as a “normal abnormality.”
“I’ll never forget that phrasing – what the heck is a normal abnormality?” says Jessica.
Assured by her doctor that everything was fine, Jessica became a track star, played soccer and tennis, earned her black belt, and competed in Taekwondo tournaments. In her teens and early adulthood, she started fainting. Once, she passed out while teaching a kickboxing class. As she went into college, she had episodes of tunnel vision and blacking out. Eventually she was told she was having panic attacks.
“For years I was told it was panic attacks. Deep down I knew something was really wrong with my heart.”
She accepted the diagnosis and kept going – even as her symptoms continued, and started to get worse.
After college, Jessica worked at a law firm in California. Her symptoms were getting harder to ignore. She was blacking out at her desk. She felt constantly exhausted, sometimes even nodding off in the car on the way home from work. Then one day, she simply couldn’t wake up fully. She dragged herself to the ER with a friend, complaining of chest pain, shortness of breath, and a racing heart.
She sat in the ER for about an hour and a half before anyone ran an EKG.
“When they finally did, everything changed,” she says. The ER staff realized she was in ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) – an extremely dangerous, fast heartbeat – with lots of PVCs and ectopy (extra or skipped heartbeats that disrupt the normal rhythm). Suddenly, the doctors were panicking...
Read more here:
https://sads.org/blog-cat/back-in-the-saddle-with-a-new-heart-jessicas-acm-story/
James (Jim) Bryant Passes Away
Castanet.net
James (Jim) Bryant, aged 83 of Kelowna BC, passed away November 15th after a lengthy illness. Jim graduated from Washington State University in 1964, served two years in the US Army, and moved to BC in 1970 and started a equine practice in Maple Ridge. In 1992 he moved to Kelowna and joined a mixed practice as a equine veterinarian.
Jim became interested in endurance riding as a veterinarian in the early 1980s. Over the years, he attended rides as a vet in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California, and eventually into Europe and the United Arab Emirates. In 1998 he travelled to Abu Dhabi for a year to assist the organizing committee in planning and hosting the first World Endurance Championship.
In 1999 he was offered a position in the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Federation. After three years he relocated to Dubai, and became veterinarian to the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed’s stable of Arabian endurance horses. Jim travelled to several countries in search of the top horses for the Sheikh’s stables.
He retired and returned back home to Kelowna in 2015, filling in on occasion for Alex Wales in Lake Country. Jim is survived by his wife of 51 years Sandy, sons Jim and Richard, stepsons Colin and Michael, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and his brother Rusty Bryant. A celebration of Jims life will be announced at a later date.
Saudi Arabia: AlUla's Unique Terrains Offer Ideal Setting For Endurance Racing Ahead Of 2026 Championship
OneArabia.me - Full Article
By OneArabia
Published: November 30, 2025
The AlUla Governorate's diverse landscapes offer a prime setting for endurance races. Its natural trails and unique geological features span valleys, plains, and deserts. This environment is perfect for testing horses and riders to international standards, adding a competitive edge to the sport.
AlUla's racecourses are known for their smoothness and variety. They feature hard sandy terrain, rocky paths, and open spaces. These courses pass through rare rock formations, creating a cohesive natural landscape that enhances the technical level of races and enriches the experience for participants and spectators alike.
In preparation for hosting the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship, AlUla is developing a new course. This course will traverse the ancient archaeological site of Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. This adds a unique cultural dimension to the event...
Read more here:
https://www.onearabia.me/local/alula-endurance-racing-experience-2026-championship-011-133351.html
Winners Crowned at Saudi Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup
AAWSAT.com
27-30 November 2025 AD ـ 09 Jumada Al-Alkhirah
Representatives from the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation and the Equestrian Development at the Royal Commission for AlUla crowned the winners of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup, a 120-kilometer race.
Issa Al-Mazroui claimed first place, followed by Khalifa Al-Amimi in second and Tamim Al-Marri in third.
The race featured 270 riders from 18 countries and received praise from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) for its excellent organization ahead of the World Championship, which AlUla will host in November 2026.
FEI Endurance Director Christina Abu-Dayyeh noted that new technology, implemented for the first time globally in endurance racing, allowed the public to access real-time race information, including horse speeds and veterinary checks.
She stressed that this innovation is the result of ongoing collaboration between the FEI, the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation, and the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Montana equestrian prepares for 1,000-kilometer Mongol Derby race across Mongolia
Photo by: MTN NEWS
KBZK.com - Full Article and video
Katrina Leyh will compete in August's grueling 1,000-kilometer race through Mongolian steppe, retracing Genghis Khan's postal route
By: Jane McDonald
Nov 24, 2025
A local equestrian is readying herself to take on an ultimate horsemanship challenge across the globe in Mongolia.
“What an ultimate test of horsemanship, and grit and respect for the horses and the land,” Katrina Leyh said, “When the opportunity came up, I said ‘I have to throw my hat into the ring.”
The Mongol Derby is a 1000-kilometer race through the Mongolian steppe, retracing Genghis Khan’s old postal route.
In preparation for such a task, Leyh says that she is spending as much time in the saddle as she can, getting fit in every way, but she notes that successful riders are the ones who can adapt, stay calm, and remain respectful to their horses.
“I think a lot of it is going to be a mental game,” Leyh said...
Read more and see video here:
https://www.kbzk.com/news/local-news/local-equestrian-prepares-for-1-000-kilometer-mongol-derby-race-across-mongolia
FEI and Yamamah join forces to transform global Endurance data access
Inside.FEI.org
27 November 2025
The FEI has partnered with the Yamamah App, a leading mobile application in the Endurance community, which delivers real-time data on competitions across the globe, making it a go-to resource for following live events.
Fans, athletes, and officials can track loop progress, speeds, eliminations, and key performance metrics as competitions unfold, offering an unprecedented level of insight into the sport. With this partnership, the application now also incorporates publicly available FEI data, including athlete and horse profiles, qualification statuses, and penalties alongside its existing information, all presented in an intuitive, mobile-friendly interface to further enrich the fan experience.
Rashid Al Abbar, the UAE-based entrepreneur and digital innovator behind Yamamah, sees the collaboration as a natural extension of his commitment to advancing the sport through technology.
“When I launched the Yamamah App in 2017, it was a passion project, born from my love of horses and my fascination with digital innovation,” Al Abbar said.
“My vision was to create a platform where fans, athletes, and officials could access information such as horse pedigrees, results, and rankings in one user-friendly place. Seeing how quickly the community embraced the app has been incredibly rewarding, and the FEI’s support now allows us to take this engagement to a whole new level.”
Highlighting the value the application brings to the sport, FEI Director of Endurance Christina Abu-Dayyeh said, “By making structured, reliable data easily accessible, the Yamamah App transforms the way fans follow the sport. The information provided through the app fosters informed discussions, strengthens transparency, and helps build a knowledgeable, connected community that truly appreciates the complexity and excitement of endurance riding...”
Read the rest here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/fei-and-yamamah-join-forces-transform-global-endurance-data-access
2025 November's Horses in the Morning Endurance Podcast
HorseRadioNetwork.com - Listen
Endurance Convention, Garmin Venu X1 Review and Best Conditioned for November 11, 2025 – Horses in the Morning Horse Radio Network
November 11, 2025
Karen Chaton catches us up on their latest “Adventures,” including her completion of two back-to-back 50-mile rides at the Red Rock Rumble and LTH Octoberfest, where her horse Jovi earned his first 1,000 AERC miles. In the Endurance Tip Karen reviews the Garmin Venu X1.
AERC Director Connie Caudill shares updates on the AERC National Convention and the 2026 National Championship at Old Dominion; and Kayti Curtis, who is currently leading the AERC National Best Condition Championship for 2025 with her horse Casper the Ghostly Horse, discussing her successful season and her relationship with her “rockstar” partner.
Listen and see more at:
https://horseradionetwork.com/2025/11/endurance-convention-garmin-venu-x1-review-and-best-conditioned-for-november-11-2025-horses-in-the-morning/
Elite field assembled for Pattaya’s FEI Endurance Asian Championship
Inside.FEI.org - Full Article
20 November 2025
Author: Bella Fricker
The FEI Asian Championships 2025 in Pattaya (THA) are set to welcome 22 Endurance athletes from five nations for the 120km CEI2* Championship Ride taking place on 29 November, with both team and individual medals awarded on 30 November. With four full teams and several world-class combinations, the field promises a compelling blend of experience, youthful energy, and championship pedigree.
The Endurance Championship sits alongside Dressage, Para Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing as part of a comprehensive schedule spanning from 26 November to 7 December. Set in the picturesque countryside east of Pattaya, the Thai Polo Club is one of South East Asia’s premier equestrian destinations. The venue includes permanent Coss-Country and Endurance courses, quality arenas, polo fields, modern stabling, and extensive wash, training, and warm-up areas. Founded by Harald Link and Mrs Nunthinee Tanner, Thailand’s first female polo player, the facility has grown into a central hub for equestrian sport in Southeast Asia.
“The Thai Polo Club has been purpose-built with the horse at the centre,” said an event organiser. “We are proud to welcome athletes from across Asia and provide a world-class environment for both competition and horse welfare.”
Top-tier veterinary support will be provided throughout the Championships, led by Dr Ali Tweissi (JOR) as President of the Veterinary Commission and Dr Bashir Ahmad Fateh Mohamed as Foreign Veterinary Delegate. They will oversee a team of three FEI-accredited veterinarians from multiple countries...
Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/elite-field-assembled-pattaya%E2%80%99s-fei-endurance-asian-championship
EHV-1 outbreak expanding after major events in Texas
**Check with your state Dept of Agriculture to see their guidelines and recommendations**
By AGDAILY Reporters Published: November 19, 2025
An aggressive outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), including neurological cases classified as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), has triggered urgent warnings from equine veterinarians across Texas and surrounding regions.
Clinics report that several horses returning from early-November events — including the WPRA Finals in Waco and competitions at the 377 Arena in Stephenville have shown severe and rapidly progressing clinical signs, with some owners already reporting fatalities.
Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery was among the first to issue detailed guidance, emphasizing that “continued biosecurity is essential to minimize spread” as competitors travel home from the WPRA Finals, the BFA, and other large gatherings. The clinic advises that exposed horses “should be isolated for the next 14–21 days,” kept at least 30 feet from non-exposed animals, and handled under strict quarantine procedures that prohibit nose-to-nose contact, shared equipment, or shared water sources.
Staff warn that clothing, boots, and hands can transmit the virus between horses and recommend temperature checks twice daily, noting that “fever if >101.5°F” is a key early indicator. Owners are also urged to monitor for nasal discharge, stumbling, loss of tail tone, or difficulty urinating — symptoms commonly seen as respiratory disease progresses toward neurologic involvement...
Read more here:
https://www.agdaily.com/livestock/ehv-1-outbreak-expanding-major-events-texas/
Understanding Squamous Ulcers vs. Glandular Ulcers in Horses
November 13, 2025
Posted by The Horse Staff
Learn the difference between equine squamous gastric disease and equine glandular gastric disease. Sponsored by Kelato.
Understanding the difference between equine squamous gastric disease and equine glandular gastric disease is the first step to effectively managing horses with gastric ulcers. In this video Dr. Ben Sykes, a leading authority in equine gastric ulcer syndrome, explains the difference between the two types of equine gastric ulcers.
2025 Broxton Bridge November photos - Becky Pearman
2025 Broxton Bridge November Endurance ride photos in South Carolina
by Becky Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2025/Broxton-Bridge-November
Bahrain: BREEF launches qualifying endurance events for 2025–2026 season
BNA.bh - Full Article
15 Nov 2025
Manama, Nov. 15 (BNA): The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) organised the qualifying endurance events marking the start of the 2025–2026 season, with wide participation from riders representing stables across the Kingdom.
The events were held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village and included 100km international and local races, as well as 80km and 40km competitions.
The federation noted that these qualifying events form part of preparations for the new season, which is expected to feature strong competition as riders seek to qualify for upcoming local and international championships...
Read more here:
https://www.bna.bh/En/BREEFlaunchesqualifyingenduranceeventsfor20252026season.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDsnQmJiMWNHQ7INvmVI1V4A%3D
UAE: Seeh Al Salam Challenges gets 2025-2026 DIEC season under way
GulfNews.com - Full Article
The near six-month long season concludes with the Endurance Trainers Cup on April 4, 2026
Last updated: November 13, 2025
Gulf News Report
Dubai: The 2025-2026 Dubai International Endurance City calendar gets under way with the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge on Friday with all of the top teams looking to create an early impact.
In what is a double header, Saturday will witness the first of the Private Stables rides with the Al Wasl Endurance Cup. While the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge is held over 120km, the Al Wasl Endurance Cup will see riders competing over 101km.
The highlights of the 2025-2026 season are the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festivals...
Read more here:
https://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/seeh-al-salam-challenges-gets-2025-2026-diec-season-under-way-1.500343746
Great Britain: Mighty 12.2hh pony races to joint victory in gruelling Man V Horse race
YourHorse.co.uk - Full Article
Lauren Williamson
4 November 2025
One of the smallest equines in the field was victorious in the second running of the Man V Horse race in Somerset, with 12.2hh ‘Steve’ racing to a thrilling neck-and-neck finish alongside an Irish Sport Horse.
The Welsh section B pony carried Lara Malcolm around 23 miles of rugged south west countryside and shared the spoils with Vicky Heal on Bounce.
The distinctive endurance challenge pits runners against horses and the winners crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 22 minutes before passing the final vetting and being pronounced joint winners.
The first runner to cross the line was Bart Stockman, who finished 27 minutes later...
Read more here:
https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/news/joint-victory-man-v-horse-race/
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