Tradition & Future. The world comes to Butheeb.

Heritage and leadership

A sport built into the story of the nation

Butheeb 2026 is held under the gracious patronage and support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, on behalf of the United Arab Emirates Equestrian and Racing Federation and Butheeb International Endurance Village, with the support of the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Endurance riding in the United Arab Emirates was established in 1992 under the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, in the same year the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation was created under his guidance. Within six years the country staged the 1998 World Championship, when a record 162 horses from 37 nations started, and it hosted the world title again in Dubai in 2004 and at Butheeb in 2022.

Butheeb's own place in that story is inseparable from the late H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club, under whose guidance the Village developed the Boudheib Initiative: a set of rules and speed limits designed to protect the endurance horse and to return the sport to its traditional roots. The Village has staged FEI and national rides since 2004, including the H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Endurance Festival, the UAE President's Cup and the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022.

The Federation has credited His Highness's patronage of equestrian sport with the growth of the discipline in the UAE. Announcing the award, the Federation's President, Major-General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, extended his congratulations to the wise leadership on securing the FEI's confidence and said the championship "represents a pivotal milestone in the development of endurance riding in the UAE".