Athletes at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2025 in Buftea (ROM) © Raqiya_action

01.09.2025

Buftea, Romania witnessed history on 20 September 2025 as the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors reached its dramatic conclusion. Over 120km of testing terrain, 84 young athletes from 26 nations set out with one shared goal: to finish with their horses in good health. By the end of the day, medals were decided not only by time, but by resilience, judgement, and the crucial veterinary inspections that define the sport. For Romania, hosting its first equestrian world Championship was a milestone in itself, while for the athletes aged 14–21 it was the defining moment of their careers so far.

Individual Podium

Gold went to 20-year-old Rashed Mohamed Atiq Khamis AlMehairi (UAE) riding the 10-year-old stallion Shardell Jaeger. Already an individual silver medallist at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2023 in Castelsagrat (FRA) with Castlebar Cadabra, AlMehairi this time went one better to secure the ultimate accolade.

After his win, Rashed said: “This is my last year as a Young Rider, and my advice to the younger athletes is that nothing is impossible – if you have a goal, focus on it, and take something new from every training session and every ride. In the end, I only ever compete against myself.”

“The organisation of the event was excellent and the track was very well prepared. I am very proud to represent my country and win the gold medal”

Rashed Mohamed Atiq Khamis AlMehairi

(UAE)

UAE teammates — including reigning World Champion Rashed Ahmad Seghayer Alktebi, Essa Abdulla Essa Ali Abdulla, and Ali Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed AlFalasi — also crossed the line within minutes of each other but were eliminated at the final veterinary inspection, removing the UAE from team contention.

President of the Veterinary Commission, Dr. Ali Taskin Özdemir, emphasised the importance of welfare safeguards:

“The veterinary inspections are not simply a formality — they are the safeguard of our sport. At every gate, we ensure horses are fit to continue, that heart rates are stable, and that no risk is taken with welfare.”

Silver went to 21-year-old Bahraini athlete Saud Mubarak Salem Sabt with the experienced 15-year-old French gelding Bolt De Venelles. This was Bolt’s fourth successful championship appearance, having most recently finished 13th at the FEI Endurance World Championship 2024 in Monpazier (FRA) with Jaafar Merza Abdulnabi Hassan. For Sabt, contesting his very first championship, stepping straight onto the podium was a remarkable achievement.

Saud added: “The tracks were complicated, but my horse did very well. From the beginning I knew he had incredible potential because of his extensive experience. It was an honour to ride such an accomplished horse and to wear the same number bib of my inspiration, HH Sheikh Nasser. I would also like to thank HH Sheikha Noura bint Hamad Al Khalifeh and my trainers – they are the reason I have reached this level and realised my dreams.”

Bronze was also secured for Bahrain by 21-year-old Isa Hameed Dakheel Al Anezi on the 11-year-old French mare Ermine Dartagnan. The pair repeated their individual bronze from 2023 in Castelsagrat, proving consistency at the highest level.

“It is incredible to achieve the same result, on the same horse, as I did in Castelsagrat! The organisers did a great job in creating a level playing field for everyone. I never measure my horse against others – she leads and I follow, knowing her potential and her limits. My number one advice to young athletes is that if you love this sport, you must be determined; always learn from failures, and remember that perseverance is essential for true development” shared Isa.

Despite Bahrain’s individual successes, the nation was unable to retain their 2023 team gold. All five athletes finished within striking distance of the podium, but eliminations at the final vetting for Sh. Ahmed Salman Ahmed Abdulla AlKhalifa, Faisal Hameed Dakeel Al Anezi, and Sultan Abdulaziz Mayoof AlRomaihi ended their team hopes.

Top Ten Highlights

The shock of the day came from Portuguese 16-year-old Antonio Lopes Avo, who piloted the 9-year-old Spanish mare SW Janulma to fourth place. With only his second Championship start and the mare’s first, the result exceeded all expectations.

France once again proved masters of consistency. Pablo Tomas Arnaud (fifth), Jacob Pol (sixth), and Victor Fabre Carlus (ninth) delivered three strong performances that combined to secure team gold in 17:39:04. Pablo and Victor had also been part of the French silver-medal-winning team in 2023, making this gold all the more satisfying.

Chef d’Equipe Jean-Michel Grimal said:

“I always tell my young riders that success is a team sport, and today they proved it. We rode our own ride, stuck to the plan, and in the end, it was enough for gold”

Jean-Michel Grima

(FRA)

Individual seventh place went to 20-year-old Finnish athlete Saana Nieminen with the 9-year-old gelding Amogjar Al Payral. Based in Spain with AH Endurance Team, Nieminen reflected:

“This was a young horse and we were really just looking to see how he would go – he turned out amazing. It’s a great result for Finland, and I hope it can inspire other young riders back home. I still have one more year in Young Riders, so my goal is the European Championships in France to aim even higher, and then after that to step up to Senior 160km.”

Spain’s 19-year-old Celia Soler Capdevila finished eighth with the part-bred Arabian gelding F Ghazwan Al Shaqab. Building on her individual bronze and team gold at the 2024 European Championships in Arborea, this time she contributed to Spain’s team silver alongside Manel Ferrer Miralles (12th) and Candela Hernani Amado (13th).

Chef d’Equipe Ignasi Casas praised the young squad:

“It was a complicated day – in Endurance, until the last loop and the last vetting you never know what will happen. Honestly, we thought it would be difficult to medal. Our riders worked very hard and showed great passion for the sport. Many were riding their first championship, but they listened to instructions, held the speed, controlled the stress, and I am very happy with the way they performed.”

10th place went to 18-year-old Australian rider Poppy Kettlewell with her 15-year-old family-bred gelding Oso Irazu. A seasoned campaigner, Irazu has previously represented Great Britain at two Senior World Championships under Rebecca Pinder. Kettlewell, competing in her first championship, was emotional:

“It’s been a dream since I was six, standing on the beach in Normandy and watching the World Championships. To now wear the Australian shirt is a dream come true. Our goal was top 20 but Irazu had a different idea — his decision was final!”

Team Medals

• Gold – France (Pablo Tomas Arnaud with Shaailan'al Hfifa, Pol Jacob with Pot Made, Victor Fabre Carlus with Bamos De Kerdraon)
• Silver – Spain (Celia Soler Capdevila with F Ghazwan Al Shaqab, Manel Ferrer Miralles with Pikaro De Torre, Candela Hernani Amado with Valima AA 50) – 18:20:10
• Bronze – Italy (Martina Savori with Milagro Bosana, Giulia Moniz with Wento Secondo, Anna Ginetto with Katim DI Pegaso)
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For Italy, it was a repeat of their 2023 bronze medal, proving that reliability and consistency across the squad can be as valuable as top-ten finishes. 

Finland claimed an impressive fourth place. Starting with only three athletes — and therefore no margin for error — all three completed to record the nation’s best-ever team finish. Remarkably, Finland did not even field a team at the last World Championship.

Malaysia took fifth - a major step forward after failing to qualify a team in 2023. This time, all four athletes completed to put their nation firmly on the leaderboard.

Tunisia, fourth at the previous edition, placed sixth this time.

USA finished seventh, successfully qualifying four out of their five riders. 

Host nation Romania delighted the home crowd with eighth place, showcasing the country’s rapid rise as an Endurance nation.

Bulgaria rounded out the standings in ninth - a remarkable achievement given they only started with three athletes.

In total, nine nations completed as teams — a striking improvement compared with the 2023 Championship, where only four teams made it to the final classification. It was a reflection of both greater depth in young rider Endurance and the increasing professionalism of national squads across the globe.

Reflections from Buftea

Event Director Viorel Dabija summed up the spirit of the Championship:

“My greatest hope is that these young riders leave Buftea with unforgettable memories — not just of competition, but of community, culture, and the welcome they received here. If they go home inspired to continue their journey in endurance, then we have achieved our goal.”

Veterinary President Dr. Ali Taskin Özdemir closed with a reminder of Endurance’s essence:

“Endurance is measured as much in partnership and resilience as in medals.”

The 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors will be remembered for its dramatic twists, decisive veterinary inspections, and the hard-fought podium places. For Romania, it marked the successful hosting of its first equestrian world championship; for the young athletes, it was a milestone etched into their careers — and a reminder that in Endurance, horse welfare, partnership, and perseverance always define true victory.

FULL RESULTS