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Loop 1 of 6
Dark & Dawn
Loop 1 · the mass start from the Village
31kmLoop distance
0 → 31kmCumulative
50minHold at vet gate 1
07:10Leaders expected (est.)
The track
Loop 1 · 31 km
This loopOther loopsCrew & water point
The loop
Dark & Dawn
The championship opens at 05:45 with all horses leaving Butheeb International Endurance Village together. Loop 1 is the first of six, and the one where riders settle their horses into the rhythm they hope to hold all day.
At 31 km it is among the longest loops of the course. It is ridden in the coolest part of the day: the championship is timed so that the horses do most of their work in the morning.
The course
The proposed 160 km route combines desert sand, natural tracks and gently undulating sections. The final layout is refined with the FEI Technical Delegate and Course Designer.
What crews do
Crewing is allowed only at the crew and water points on the loop, marked on the map, and in the crewing area at the vet gate. Four crew members plus the athlete may attend the horse in the cooling area; two crew members plus the chef d’équipe or team veterinarian in the inspection area. Crewing anywhere else means disqualification.
Where to watch
The Village is the place to watch: every loop leaves from and returns to the vet gate area, where the cooling area, the crewing area and the finish are.
Vet gate 1
64bpm · 15 minPresentation within 15 minutes of arrival. Heart rate at or below 64 bpm, sound gait, good hydration and metabolic checks, inspected within 60 seconds. Then a 50-minute hold before Loop 2.
How a vet gate worksOn ride day
Follow this loop live: leaderboard, loop splits and recovery times by vet gate.
Live timingLoop by loop
Where this loop sits in the day
0 → 31 kmLoop 131kmLoop 1 · the mass start from the VillageVet gate 1 · 50 min hold
31 → 60.9 kmLoop 229.9kmLoop 2 · 29.9 kmVet gate 2 · 40 min hold
60.9 → 90.9 kmLoop 330kmLoop 3 · 30 km · past halfwayVet gate 3 · 50 min hold
90.9 → 119.9 kmLoop 429kmLoop 4 · 29 kmVet gate 4 · 50 min hold
119.9 → 140 kmLoop 520.1kmLoop 5 · 20.1 kmVet gate 5 · 50 min hold
140 → 160 kmLoop 620kmLoop 6 · 20 km · the finishFinal inspection · best condition