Saudi Arabia: Endurance stars keen to tackle AlUla challenge
Endurance stars are arriving in Saudi Arabia in preparation for the eagerly-anticipated Fursan Cup 2022. Over 200 riders from over 30 countries will contest the 120-kilometre ride, which will be staged in AlUla on Saturday, January 29.
Among those competing is Carmine Villani, the World No.1 in the FEI rankings in 2020, representing Great Britain.
The event is a thorough test of skill and stamina for riders and horses alike. With four loops, the ride takes eight hours on average to complete.
Costanza Laliscia, the 2016 and 2019 winner of the FEI Young Riders World Endurance Ranking, is another top rider lining up in the Fursan Endurance Cup, the third staging of which carries a prize fund of 15 million Saudi Riyals (USD $4.2 million).
The growing stature and global nature of the Fursan Endurance Cup is underlined by the involvement of competitors such as Pedro Pablo Gomez Martinez. The rider, trainer and breeder has undertaken an extensive journey of approaching 24 hours from his stables in Chile to be in AlUla for the event.
The Fursan Cupis organised in cooperation with the Royal Commission for AlUla and Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF). The event will be one of the main attractions of the Winter at Tantora Festival 21 December – 12 February.
The festival is one of four main festivals being introduced in 2022 under the AlUla Moments banner. The festival includes another flagship equestrian event, AlUla Desert Polo, February 11-12 as well as a series of music events at Maraya.
