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Programme
Seven days in Butheeb
Championship week runs from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 December 2026. The ride is on Saturday 19 December. All times are Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4).
Before the championship
Key dates for federations
29 Sep
Qualification period closes
Horses and riders qualify between 29 September 2024 and 29 September 2026, as set by the FEI.
14 Oct
Nominated entries
National federations submit nominated entries to the FEI.
17 Nov
Definite entries
Final teams and individuals confirmed.
11–14 Nov
Official test event
Technical validation, operational readiness and FEI coordination at the Village.
19 Dec
Championship ride
Mass start at 05:45 GST from Butheeb International Endurance Village.
Status of this programme
The dates of championship week, the ride day, the test event and the FEI entry deadlines are confirmed. The daily timetable follows the format of the competition schedule; the 2026 schedule is published in the documents library once approved by the FEI.
To confirm with OCYour local time
GST is UTC+4. The live timing page shows times in your local zone on ride day.
Championship week
Day by day
Every day is shown here in full. Times marked estimated depend on the pace of the leaders.
Mon 14 December
07:30GST
Opening of stables · quarantine horses
First examination on arrival. Emergency ambulances on site for humans and horses.
Stables08:00GST
Training track open
Training track 08:00–11:30 · stables close 12:00.
Training trackTue 15 December
08:00GST
Stables open · horses out of stables
First examination vet available on arrival · training track open · ride desk open · restaurant open.
Stables14:00GST
Ride desk and accreditation open
14:00–17:00 · show office open.
Show officeWed 16 December
08:00GST
Stables open · first examination on arrival
Training track open · restaurant for riders and key officials open.
Stables14:00GST
Ride desk and accreditation
14:00–17:00.
Show office14:30GST
Key FEI officials briefing with the OC
Crisis management team meeting with key officials. Training track closed and stables closed after.
Briefing hallThu 17 December
10:00GST
Press conference
10:00–11:00 · coffee break · workshop 11:30–13:30.
Media centre14:00GST
Ride desk open
14:00–17:00 · restaurant open.
Show office15:00GST
Chefs d’équipe and team veterinarians’ meeting with the FEI and the organiser
15:00–16:30 · attendance mandatory.
Briefing hall18:00GST
Opening ceremony
Parade of Nations, a cultural programme celebrating Emirati heritage, and the official welcome by the FEI, UAEERF and the Organising Committee. Open to the public.
Main arena19:00GST
Deadline: horses accepted into the official stables
Four hours before the stables close at 23:00.
StablesFri 18 December
10:00GST
Riders’ briefing and walk-through
Compulsory for all riders · meet at the start line with the Chief Steward · allocation of recovery and hold areas to National Federations.
Start & finish11:00GST
FEI officials’ meeting
Attendance compulsory.
Briefing hall12:30GST
Registration and collection of competition bibs
Deadline for substitutions from nominated entries.
Ride office14:00GST
Pre-ride inspection
14:00–17:00 · every horse presented to the Veterinary Commission · declaration of starters by chefs d’équipe of teams with more than three riders, at the ride office.
Veterinary area14:30GST
Rider weigh-in and GPS distribution
14:30–17:30 · training track closes · horses back in stables · stables closed 22:00.
Veterinary areaSat 19 December · Ride day
03:45GST
Deadline for emergency substitutions
Ride desk open 05:00–13:00 · stables open · tack check by officials at the departure gate before the start.
Ride office05:45GST
Start of the FEI Endurance World Championship
160 km · mass start · team and individual World Championship · six loops from the Village.
Start & finish07:10GST
Vet gate 1 opens (leaders, estimated)
Presentation within 15 minutes · 50-minute hold.
Veterinary area17:00GST
Expected finish and final inspection (estimated)
Finish at the Village · presentation within 20 minutes · best-condition judging follows · protests within 30 minutes of the signed results.
Start & finish19:30GST
Prize giving
Team and individual medals · best condition award. All competing horses overnight in the official stables.
Main arenaSun 20 December
09:30GST
Fit-to-travel examinations and horse passport collection
Ride desk open 09:30–14:00.
Veterinary area12:00GST
Closing ceremony
The championship closes at the Village.
Main arenaTimes marked estimated depend on the leaders' pace. Vet-gate closing times are set and published at the general meeting.