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World Endurance Championships 2022
Technical Meeting

A successful meeting in Abu Dhabi for the heads of the teams participating in the World Endurance Championships Cup in the Boudheib International Endurance Village

By Mohamed Saad

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation organized on Saturday morning held, at the Boudheib International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi, a meeting for the heads of teams that will be participating in the 2022 World Endurance Championship for a distance of 160 km, "3 stars", which will be hosted by Boudheib Village on February 25th, 2023.

Members of the Organizing Committee participated in the meeting, including Mustafa Mafoudi, Technical Director of the World Endurance Championship, Mahmoud Al-Zeyoudi, Head of the Endurance Department at the Emirates Equestrian and Racing Federation, Christian Lozano, Head of the Arbitration Committee of the World Endurance Championship, Sharon Du Plessis, Technical Delegate of the Championship and Dr. Yassin Al-Moatmari, Technical Delegate of the Championship.

The meeting was also witnessed by Sami Al-Dahami, Head of Group Seven of the International Equestrian Federation, as well as the heads of the participating teams and a large number of members of the technical committees of the tournament. The meeting was presented by Dr. Ali Al-Tuwaisi, Chairman of the Veterinary Committee of the Emirates Equestrian Federation.

A large number of heads and members of teams from around the world participated in the meeting via visual communication technology and provided their interventions and inquiries, which were answered by members of the Organizing Committee.

The meeting discussed all technical, organizational, administrative, and arbitration matters related to the championship, which included the racetrack, stages, distances, and axes, in addition to logistical matters related to the transfer of horses and their arrival to the country, the establishment of crews, entry visa procedures, and other various topics.

Mustafa Mafoudi confirmed the readiness of the village of Boudheib to host the event and answered the inquiries of the team leaders related to the accommodation of the riders and technical crews, and the processes of preparing the tracks in the village, in addition to many issues that were raised by the team leaders and were answered.

The heads of the teams praised the spaciousness and excellence of the facilities of the village of Boudheib, in addition to the technical work crews working in the village, through their follow-up to the test race of the World Championships that was held yesterday, Friday December 9.

A number of team leaders demanded that the water distribution points for horse cooling be after every 3 kilometers instead of 5 kilometers, and they also demanded a reduction in the minimum speed during the race, and the organizing committee promised to consider all requests and proposals submitted.

It is noteworthy that the Boudheib International Endurance Village had won the right to organize the World Endurance Championship 2022, as it submitted an integrated file to the International Equestrian Federation to host the tournament, and all the elements required to organize the tournament were available, including safety and security for riders and horses, in addition to the geographical nature that helps the success of the tournament and show it in the best way.

FEI Endurance Director Christina Abu-Dayyeh (JOR) as well as FEI Director Technology and Sport Services Gaspard Dufour (FRA), alongside President of the Ground Jury Christian Lozano (FRA), Technical Delegate Sharon Du Plessis (BOT) completed the line-up, providing a broad panel to answer any questions or concerns raised by the participants.

With a little over two months to go, the OC actively encouraged the Chef d’Équipes to provide their feedback in a bid to find effective solutions for many of the more logistical and operational questions. Overall, the National Federations expressed their satisfaction with the conditions and facilities on offer, and the success of the Test Event, noting the further modifications to be made to the track prior to the Championship, with the six loops providing additional rest points and veterinary checks, and the additional water points as agreed during the meeting.

Executive Board Member and Chair of Group VII Sami Al Duhami (KSA) provided the closing remarks and noted the positive efforts and great collaboration with the Organising Committee and the UAE NF to deliver the Championship in February.

Following the Test Event and to quell any remaining concerns regarding the terrain, internationally renowned footing expert and Professor at the Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Lars Roepstroff has been commissioned to assess the Championship track in January of 2023.

Roepstroff, who also has a background as the Swedish Team Veterinarian for Endurance, will then deliver a report to the FEI and the Organising Committee, with relevant feedback on the terrain and any potential improvements that might need to be made prior to the Championship.

“There is no “standard” terrain, this is a World Championship, and world-class riding and fitness is required in order to be successful and to ensure both horse and rider complete the course in good condition”, said FEI Endurance Director Christina Abu-Dayyeh (JOR).

“It’s important that a certain percentage of the track is natural and in keeping with the local environment, wherever that may be, and as you would expect at this level, every athlete taking part will need to plan and manage their ride and pace according to the conditions and according to their horse.

“We are confident the horses will be very well looked after, with great facilities and an experienced Organising Committee in Boudheib, ensuring all the veterinary checks and processes in line with the FEI Rules are fully adhered to.”