RECORD-BREAKING WEEKEND IN ALULA: 2024 FURSAN CUP SETS NEW BENCHMARK FOR FUTURE EDITIONS TO EMULATE
- AlFursan Equestrian Village staged 120km CEI 2* Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup on Saturday
- 160km CEI 3* competition followed Sunday to launch the road to 2026 World Endurance Championships in AlUla
- Over 260 riders from 50 countries competed across both competitions – a new record
- Total SAR 20 million prize pot on offer – also a new world record
- 2024 Fursan Cup organised by RCU in partnerships with FEI and SAEF
AlUla, Saudi Arabia – 12 February 2024:
The latest chapter in AlUla’s illustrious heritage sports history was written this past weekend at the 2024 Fursan Cup – a record-breaking endurance event which set a new benchmark for future editions to emulate.
A world-class field boasting over 260 elite-level riders from 50 countries, setting a new record of the number of nations participating at the endurance competition, competed in two competitions worth a combined SAR 20 million; the largest-ever prize pot for an endurance event.
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in partnership with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) and the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF), the action began on Saturday (February 10) with the internationally coveted Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup.
A flagship event in the international endurance circuit, the Endurance Cup returned with a record-extending fifth edition and featured a 200-strong field vying for glory and their share of a SAR 15 million prize pool. Qatari rider Saeed Al Naimi finished first, claiming victory in 05:22:01 ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Fares Abu Ras in second (05:23:15).
More elite equestrian action unfolded on Sunday (February 10) with an additional 160km CEI 3* competition which officially launched the road to the 2026 FEI World Endurance Championships in AlUla. 64 riders from around the world competed in this eagerly anticipated SAR 5 million contest – won by Hamad Al Janahi. The Bahraini rider finished first with a time of 8:27:08 – 10 seconds ahead of Uruguay’s Federico Ferber in second (8:27:18).
A monumental occasion for various reasons, the 2024 Fursan Cup also provided opportunities for local up-and-coming AlUla talents to gain experience and test themselves against the world’s best. Across both competitions, six local riders from RCU’s equine strategy development program participated – laying new foundations for others to follow in the years ahead.
Elsewhere at AlFursan Equestrian Village, the 2024 Fursan Cup set a new precedent for next year and beyond – presenting an enhanced family-oriented entertainment offering. Visitors enjoyed a wide variety of activities and events on the sidelines of the endurance action – from movie screenings and equestrian talks and exhibitions, to live musical performances, cultural kiosks, and more.
The Fursan Cup is one of the marquee sports events in the AlUla Moments Calendar of events and festivals, spanning a large number of other heritage sports events such as the AlUla Camel Cup, AlUla Falcon Cup, the Tent Pegging World Championship and Horseback Archery World Cup.
For more information on the 2024 Fursan Cup, please visit experiencealula.com.
About AlUla Moments:
AlUla Moments is AlUla’s new home for events. AlUla Moments calendar was launched at the end of 2021 and introduced new festivals and events to celebrate and unlock AlUla’s stories, uncover its secrets, and celebrate local and international cultures. With 7,000 years of civilisations and home to some of the most sophisticated ancient kingdoms of antiquity, AlUla is no stranger to social gatherings and cultural celebrations.
AlUla Moments calendar comprises of five festivals offering diverse experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian activities, dining, and astronomy. The AlUla Wellness Festival featuring the latest practices to engage the mind, body and soul; Winter at Tantora, the original AlUla celebration of heritage, culture, fashion and music; the Ancient Kingdoms Festival offers immersive events acknowledging the ancient civilisations that lived in AlUla and its neighbouring oases in Khaybar and Tayma; AlUla Skies Festival with the popular hot air balloons and stargazing experiences; and AlUla Arts Festival bringing together contemporary and ancient art events and experiences.
In addition to the festivals AlUla Moments calendar offers a number of marquee events, including AZIMUTH and Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, along with the heritage sports events such as The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, AlUla Camel Cup, AlUla Falcon Cup, the Tent Pegging World Championship and Horseback Archery World Cup, a world-class fashion, adventure and sporting events.
For more information, please visit experiencealula.com
About AlUla:
Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.
The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and is comprised of 111 well-preserved tombs, many with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement.
Current research also suggests Hegra was the most southern outpost of the Roman Empire after the Roman’s conquered the Nabataeans in 106 CE.
In addition to Hegra, AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages, which has been recently listed on the UNESCO’s memory of the World Register. Also AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes developed from at least the 12th century, which has been selected as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022 by the UNWTO. Additionally, Hijaz Railway and Hegra Fort, which are key sites in the story and conquests of Lawrence of Arabia.
For more information, please visit: experiencealula.com
