Sunday 22 / June / 2025
MUSCAT: Oman’s endurance rider His Highness Sayyid Ali Ghalib al Said secured a slot in the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship finals which will take place in AlUla city in Saudi Arabia next year following his successful completion of the prestigious Buchen 160km international endurance race in Germany recently.
The race, conducted under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), was a crucial qualification milestone and a challenging test for elite riders. This marks the second time that HH Sayyid Ali officially qualified for the World Endurance Championship finals and it is showcasing his remarkable presence on the global endurance stage. HH Sayyid Ali completed the six-phase 160 km course which was divided into several segments including 35 km, 25 km, 35 km, 25 km, 20 km, and 20 km in aboard through horse Attila with a timing of 10 hours, 23 minutes, and 20 seconds. The race, which began at 5:30 AM and concluded by 7:20 PM, featured particularly tough weather conditions with temperatures reaching 31°C and it was demanding strategic endurance, heat management and expert horsemanship. The competition included elite riders from nine different countries and this leaded for further underscoring the international competitive intensity of the event.
This achievement followed an intensive training camp that spanned several weeks, focusing on both physical and technical preparation for the rider and the horse. The high-level conditioning enabled HH Sayyid Ali to excel in one of the most demanding endurance races of the season.
HH Sayyid Ali dedicated this qualification to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and to His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, in recognition of their unwavering support and patronage for equestrian sports and Omani riders.
In his remarks following the race, HH Sayyid Ali expressed his deep gratitude to the organising committee, the veterinary and technical teams, and all those who contributed to the success of this journey. He affirmed his commitment to continuing his preparations and representing the Sultanate of Oman with pride and excellence at the 2026 Endurance World Championship Finals.
