Bahrain Endurance Riding Season 2026-27
Bahrain's 2026-27 endurance riding season opened in October 2026 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir with five qualifying rides.
About Bahrain Endurance Riding Season 2026-27
Endurance riding tests horse and rider over long desert distances, with veterinary checks between loops to make sure each horse is fit to continue. Bahrain's season runs through the cooler months at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, where riders work through qualifying rides before the bigger festivals later in the winter.
The 2026-27 season opened in mid October 2026 with five qualifying events: a 120km international qualifier, two 100km international qualifiers including one for junior and young riders, and two local qualifiers over 80km and 40km. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the opening and pointed to the continued growth of the sport in Bahrain.
The highlight of the previous season was His Majesty the King's Cup Endurance Festival, a three-day meeting held in February 2026 and organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation. Its headline 160km international ride was won by Isa Hameed Al Anezi, with a 120km ride for private Gulf stables and a 120km junior and youth ride also on the programme. Dates for the 2026-27 festival had not been published at the time of writing.
Watch
Highlights
- Season opener with five qualifying rides from 40km to 120km
- 120km international qualifier and two 100km international qualifiers
- Dedicated 100km qualifier for junior and young riders
- Local qualifiers over 80km and 40km
- Season builds towards His Majesty the King's Cup Endurance Festival
Good to know
- Rides are held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
- Later ride dates for 2026-27, including the King's Cup festival, had not been published at the time of writing; check local press for announcements.
- The King's Cup festival is organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation.
The venue
Bahrain International Endurance Village, Sakhir. The Sakhir base for endurance horse riding, hosting national and international rides up to 160 km.
Questions people ask
When did the 2026-27 Bahrain endurance season start?
The season opened in mid October 2026 with five qualifying events at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
What distances are ridden?
The opening programme included a 120km international qualifier, two 100km international qualifiers and local qualifiers of 80km and 40km. The King's Cup festival's headline ride is 160km.
Who won the last King's Cup endurance ride?
Isa Hameed Al Anezi won the 160km His Majesty the King's International Endurance Cup at the February 2026 festival.
