85 horses launch Oman’s new endurance riding season

MUSCAT, OCT 15
Oman’s 2026-27 endurance riding season got underway on Thursday with the first qualifying ride at Al Mahamid Endurance Village, covering a distance of 40 km and attracting 85 horses. The strong turnout reflected the importance of the qualification programme in preparing horses, riders and trainers for the new season, particularly with several horses and riders making their first appearance.
The opening ride provided an opportunity for trainers, riders and horse owners to introduce new horses, assess their readiness and begin the qualification process required before progressing to more demanding endurance competitions. The participation of new riders and horses added a fresh dimension to the start of the season.
The 40 km ride represented an important stage in the preparation process, allowing trainers to evaluate their horses’ fitness, stamina and response to the demands of endurance riding. Qualifying rides also provide an opportunity to identify areas requiring further development before horses advance to longer and more challenging distances.
Khalid bin Mohammed al Saifi, Director of Equestrian Activities at the Oman Equestrian Federation, said the opening ride represented an important first step in the new season, particularly for participants introducing horses to endurance riding for the first time.
“The qualifying programme is fundamental to the development of endurance riding in Oman. It gives riders and trainers the opportunity to prepare their horses gradually, monitor their progress and ensure they are ready to move to the next stages of competition. The strong participation is encouraging and reflects the interest of owners and trainers in developing their horses and building their experience,” he said.
Veterinarian Dr Ahmed al Jasasi stressed that horse welfare must remain the priority throughout the qualification process.
“Qualifying rides are important because they allow us to monitor a horse’s physical condition and assess its ability to cope with the demands of endurance riding. Veterinary checks and continuous monitoring help identify any concerns at an early stage. Trainers and riders must respect each horse’s capabilities and ensure that its preparation progresses gradually, with recovery and welfare taking precedence over results,” he said.
Trainer Saeed bin Salim al Balushi was among the participants, entering four horses in the opening ride, including horses making their first appearance in endurance competition.
GAINING EXPERIENCE
He highlighted the importance of giving new horses the opportunity to gain experience before entering more challenging events.
“Taking part in a qualifying ride is an important step for horses that are new to the sport. We have entered four horses, including newcomers that need to become familiar with the competition environment and build their stamina progressively. One of them is Raad, ridden by Hamida al Sudairi, who is making her debut with the horse. Our priority is to assess their readiness, learn from the experience and prepare them properly for future competitions,” Al Balushi said.
Horse owner Mohammed al Tarshi also participated with one horse, which he had brought specifically to begin its qualification journey.
“For owners, these rides provide a valuable opportunity to understand a horse’s capabilities and determine the training it needs before advancing to higher levels. My participation with one horse is part of a gradual preparation plan, and the priority is to give it the experience and conditioning required to compete safely and confidently,” he said.
The opening 40 km qualifying ride laid the foundation for the new season, with participants looking to build on the experience gained and progress through the qualification stages. The emphasis remains on systematic preparation, veterinary supervision and responsible horsemanship as Oman’s endurance riding community begins another competitive campaign.