Dubai Endurance Takes Centre Stage
Dubai Hosts CEI3* 160 km Endurance Competition as UAE Equestrian Season Builds Momentum
Dubai returns to the international endurance spotlight today, 28 September 2026, with a demanding CEI3 160 km endurance competition*, bringing horses and riders together for one of the sport’s most challenging tests.
According to the official FEI event listing, the Dubai competition takes place across 28–29 September, with the CEI3* 160 km event scheduled for Monday afternoon. The starting list includes UAE riders, reinforcing the Emirates’ established presence in international endurance riding. FEI
The competition arrives as the UAE begins another important period on its equestrian calendar. As previously covered by Al Badia Magazine’s UAE Equestrian Season 2026–2027 feature, the new season brings together Arabian horse racing, endurance and other equestrian disciplines across a busy programme.
A Major Test of Horse and Rider
Unlike conventional racing, endurance competition places exceptional emphasis on stamina, pacing, recovery and horse welfare. Over 160 kilometres, riders must manage their horses carefully rather than simply pursuing maximum speed.
Veterinary controls are therefore fundamental to endurance competition. Horses undergo checks during the event to determine whether they are fit to continue, placing welfare at the centre of the discipline.
The importance of conditioning is also closely connected with everyday management. Al Badia’s feature on Essential Horse Care: Building the Foundation for Health and Performance explores how nutrition, hydration, hoof care and consistent monitoring contribute to a horse’s overall condition and performance.
UAE’s Strong Endurance Tradition
Endurance has long occupied an important position within the UAE’s equestrian culture, alongside Purebred Arabian racing and other horse sports.
That wider commitment continues into the 2026–2027 season. The UAE’s official programme approved in August covers horse racing and equestrian activities under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reflecting continued institutional support for the sector. WAM
The country’s equestrian calendar is also becoming increasingly diverse. While endurance riders tackle long-distance competition, the domestic racing season is approaching, with the Emirates Racing Authority confirming 64 race meetings across five UAE racecourses for the 2026–2027 season. Emirates Racing Authority
Endurance Demands Careful Preparation
Preparing a horse for 160 km requires considerably more than fitness alone. Training programmes need to progressively develop cardiovascular conditioning while protecting joints, muscles and hooves from excessive stress.
Hydration and recovery are equally important, particularly in warm climates. This is why responsible horse management remains central to both competitive endurance and everyday equestrian care—a subject regularly explored in the Al Badia Horse Care section.
Today’s Dubai CEI3* therefore represents more than another competition on the calendar. It highlights the combination of horsemanship, preparation, veterinary oversight and endurance that defines one of equestrian sport’s toughest disciplines.
As the UAE’s 2026–2027 equestrian season gathers momentum, Dubai’s 160 km event provides another opportunity for the country’s endurance community to demonstrate its experience on the international stage.
