Ashley Cole at Alu Ula Test Event for 2026 FEI Endurance Championships
New Zealand’s top endurance riders will be better prepared should they make the start line at the 2026 World Championships after Ursula Keenan and Ashley Cole’s participation at the test event in Alula in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kiwis hope to field a team of five at the World Champs, so the trip was a critical piece in the planning.
Ashley, who is currently based in Dubai, was loaned a horse for the CEI2* 120km event while ESNZ high performance endurance manager Ursula was there with her chef d’Equipe eyes on. “It was hugely valuable for us,” says Ursula. “I had some really valuable conversations, particularly around logistics and am looking forward to working with the event organisers to firm up some plans over the next month.”
The organising committee had been “incredibly welcoming, supportive and clear on their approach”. “They appear very dedicated to ensuring all countries questions, concerns and different complexities were looked into, answered or noted for further clarification.”
Ashley was positive about the test event what could be to come. “The venue was even more spectacular than the pictures could ever describe,” she said. “It was a real juxtaposition with the high-end technology and the venue itself – it was a meeting of the old world and new world.” The people had been welcoming and kind. “It is a real tourist destination with so much to see here. Anyone coming over for the world champs should add some extra days on. Supporters will be blown away by the beauty of the place.”
Ashley Cole at Alu Ula Test Event for 2026 FEI Endurance Championships
Ashley was very grateful to have received a “terrific” horse to ride. The combination were eliminated by the FEI veterinary panel at the end of the third phase. “I was thrilled to see so much of the track and three of the championship few loops. Between Ursula and I there will be some quality feedback for the rest of the team which will be really helpful and make everyone’s lives a lot easier,” she said. “It will be the attention to detail that will be so helpful for us all.”
Two hundred and twenty one combinations from 11 nations competed at the test event over three different distances, with an average completion rate of 22%. “This is low, and the organising committee have a number of work ons to help improve this before the venue hosts it’s next big event in February,” said Ursula.
The ride was deliberately held at the same time of year as the champs will be in 2026. Alula is 1000km northwest of Riyadh and lauded for its stunning scenery.
“The weather was very kind for the first loop but got hot with a slight breeze from there,” says Ursula. “We spent around three hours being escorted around the track, shown water points, terrain and technical sections along with the World Heritage Site Hegra. Using the site is one part of the dedication to support the development of Alula tourism.
“This has been a really beneficial trip for us both and for what we now bring back to New Zealand in the build-up to next year’s championships,” said Ursula.
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
4th December 2025