Source of Inspiration

Endurance activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain enjoys the whole hearted support of HM the King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. By visiting the championships regularly and extending full support to the riders, HM the King inspired them to achieve higher goals. Without the extensive support and encouragement of HM the King, this sport in Bahrain would never have reached to this level of professionalism and worldwide recognition. The riders and the people of Bahrain are proud of their ruler, HM the King, who extends his unlimited support to this sport.

Origin of Endurance

One of the fastest grwoing sport in the world, undoubtedly, is the endurance riding. The Kingdom of Bahrain saw the real birth of this sport in its soil on 7th April 2000. His Majesty the King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa instructed to organize Bahrain International Endurance Horse Riding Championship as two separate races for the riders of UAE and Bahrain. The distance was 120 KM. The aim was to create a pool of knowledge for the participants and to help them to realise their pitfalls as well as potentials. The world famous rider HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was the winner from the UAE Riders. Among the Bahraini riders, Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa reached the first place. Inspired by the success of the first international championship, the Kingdom began to organize various types of championships from October to May every year.

World Championship Endurance - FEI, Italy

The participation of the Royal team in the World Endurance Championship FEI in Italy on 27th September, 2003 has proved highly beneficial. By participating in the championship, the leader of the Royal team, HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Mohammed Abdul Aziz, Salem Al Otaibi, Saad Al Yami and Manal Fakhrawi, the first Bahraini girl to participate in the world championship attained good experience.

Endurance Riding - A Real Challenge

Endurance riding is tradionally known to be the ultimate challenge in this sport-supreme test of horsemanship for the knowledgable rider, to bring his horse through a hard day of riding over long distance and variable types of terrain, without detriment to the horse’s health and condition, proving his qualities of hardiness and endurance. Endurance riders not only test the stamina of the hirse but also the skills of the rider and the support crew. According to the leader of the Royal team, HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, endurance riding is a test of discipline, stamina, fitness , strength and patience.