Rashed Ahmad Seghayer Alktebi (UAE) reacts after winning with Eddy De Montrozier at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors in Castelsagrat (FRA) 2023. Copyright © FEI/Martin Dokou

On 20 September 2025, the global spotlight will turn to Buftea, Romania, as the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors unfolds over 120km. For the riders aged 14-21, the event is the pinnacle of their discipline - a chance to test years of preparation, bond with their horses, and etch their names into Endurance history.

With 28 countries and 95 riders set to compete, the Championship is not only a celebration of young talent but also a landmark moment for Romania. For the first time, the nation hosts an equestrian World Championship, a feat made possible by the rise of Shagya Club, founded in 2014 and now the largest Endurance club in the country.

But while the backdrop is significant, the story of Buftea is above all about the human and equine athletes - many of whom bring previous medals, Championship experience, and the weight of national hopes.

Dreams Realised in Buftea

Endurance is a relatively new discipline in Romania, yet in less than a decade, the country has built the infrastructure to stage a world-class event.

Event director Viorel Dabija explained: “When I first said in 2016 that one day we would host a World Championship, people laughed. 

“To be standing here less than a decade later, welcoming the world to Buftea, is proof that with passion and persistence, dreams really do come true.” 

Viorel Dabija - Event Director 

The venue has hosted FEI competitions since the 2017 Balkan Championships, steadily raising standards with the support of local government, the Romanian Equestrian Federation, and international partners like the Emirates International Endurance Village.

The course itself reflects the landscape of the Vlăsiei Plain: “The course may be flat, but don’t be fooled — it will test both speed and strategy. We wanted to design a track that is fair, safe, and challenging, while also showcasing the natural beauty of Buftea” says Viorel.

Athletes will face five loops with compulsory vet inspections between phases. Safety has been paramount in planning, with FEI officials ensuring every detail meets international standards. “The veterinary inspections are not simply a formality — they are the safeguard of our sport. At every gate, we are ensuring horses are fit to continue, that heart rates are stable, and that no risk is taken with welfare” adds President of the Veterinary Commission, Ali Taskin Özdemir.

The Returning Champions

Among the 95 starters, a few names stand out immediately. The United Arab Emirates’ Rashed Ahmad Seghayer Alktebi arrives as the reigning World Champion, partnered once again with the 11-year-old gelding Hadeer. Two years ago, in Castelsagrat, France, this pair stormed to individual gold, and Hadeer has since added to his resume with a top-five finish at the FEI Endurance World Championships in Monpazier (FRA) in 2024 under another Emirati athlete. The gelding’s consistency at the very highest level makes them an undeniable combination to beat.

Team Bahrain, who secured gold in 2023, are also back in force. Their line-up includes Jaber Bader Jaafar Abdulaal on Ermine Dartagnan, the same horse that won individual bronze two years ago with Isa Hameed Dakheel Al Anezi — who himself is also named on this year’s squad. Add to this Faisal Hameed Dakeel Al Anezi, fresh from team silver at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses in Jullianges (FRA), and the Bahrainis once again look formidable.

France, perennial contenders in youth Endurance, bring a blend of experience and promise. Victor Fabre Carlus and Bamos de Kerdräon arrive for their third consecutive Championship, having twice finished in the top ten and contributed to team silver medals in both 2023 and 2024. Teammates Lou Biannic and Pablo Tomas Arnaud also hold recent top-ten finishes and European silver medals. France’s depth - with seven athletes nominated including senior-experienced horses like Pot Made - makes them one of the most balanced squads in Buftea.

Rising Stars to Watch

Italy, bronze medallists in 2023, return with another strong team. Giulia Moniz and Wento Secondo bring proven experience from the FEI Endurance European Championships 2022 in Vic (ESP), while younger teammates like Emma Giacosa and Anna Ginetto look to make their mark. Ginetto, notably, rides Katim di Pegaso, a horse that has already carried Italy’s colours at senior level.

Australia may not travel with the numbers of Europe or the Gulf nations, but their athletes carry stories of grit and ambition. Poppy Kettlewell, riding OSO Irazu, makes her first Championship start after years of dreaming of the moment: “To now wear the Australian shirt is a dream come true,” she says. She is joined by Eadie McWilliam and Larntainey Silver Treasure, a partnership that finished inside the top 20 at the last FEI Endurance World Championship.

Finland’s Saana Nieminen is another athlete tipped for success. With top-ten finishes at both the 2022 and 2024 European Championships, she has already proven she can hold her own among the continent’s best.

Spain, meanwhile, bring youthful energy with serious horsepower. Celia Soler Capdevila partners F Ghazwan Al Shaqab, making her first World Championship appearance at Young Rider level. Fellow Spaniard Clara Latorre Sala and Bonasa du Vrihou also carry winning credentials, having taken fourth individually and securing team gold at the 2024 European Championship for Young Riders and Juniors in Arborea (ITA)

Debutants and History-Makers

The 2025 Championship also welcomes several firsts. China fields a full young rider team for the first time, with Jiahe Sui already boasting remarkable credentials: a finisher at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders 2023 in Castelsagrat (FRA) and an impressive 15th place at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Seniors in Monpazier (FRA) last year. Her teammates Jinnuo Huang and Lizhen Zhang will gain invaluable experience on their debut.

Romania themselves field a full team on home soil. For most - Ianna Bancioiu, Sofia Elena Berevoianu, Andreea Cristache, Raul Lujerdean, and Mario Savin - it is a first taste of Championship riding. Yet Ana Iarina Cosma brings recent international form, having finished top 25 at this year’s FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses.

Horses with Pedigree

Championships are as much about equine as human athletes, and Buftea brings a fascinating mix of veterans and promising youngsters.

The UAE’s line-up illustrates this perfectly. Alongside Alktebi and Hadeer, 15-year-old Essa Rashed Almazrouei rides Al Fatina, with whom he secured an individual silver in Jullianges this year. Majid Jamal Zaal Binkrishan Almheiri partners the legendary Castlebar Cadabra, a 17-year-old gelding who already holds senior and young rider world medals under different riders. Few horses in Buftea carry a résumé as glittering.

Germany’s trio all ride Al Samarra-bred horses, with mounts like Olympia Al Samarra and Saiide Al Samarra bringing prior Championship completions under other riders. For young Germans like Celina Hüttl and Josefine Hüttl, these experienced horses offer a steadying hand in their first major appearance.

In Portugal, Manuel Maria Pereira rides Nassau de Pallares, a horse proven with a top-20 finish at last year’s Europeans, while his teammate Vasco Maria Pereira competes on Ainhoa Okeygo, also experienced at this level.

What’s at Stake

At the last edition in Castelsagrat (FRA), the UAE’s Alktebi triumphed individually while Bahrain secured team gold. This time, the competition looks deeper and more unpredictable. The UAE and Bahrain bring powerhouse squads, France and Spain arrive with strength and depth, and Italy and Finland field dark-horse contenders. Beyond medals, however, the event offers young riders something even more valuable: experience, camaraderie, and the chance to prove themselves on a world stage.

Buftea itself gains a legacy too. This is not only the first FEI Endurance World Championship in Romania, but the first equestrian World Championship of any discipline held in the country. For the Romanian Equestrian Federation, it signals entry onto the global stage. For Ilfov County, it positions Buftea as a destination for equestrian sport.

Viorel adds;

“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.” 

Viorel Dabija - Event Director

Looking Ahead

As preparations continue for the 120km test, the mood is one of excitement and anticipation. Championships are never predictable; Endurance is a sport where strategy, pace, and horse welfare intertwine in complex ways.

For many, Buftea will be a first taste of Championship pressure. For others, it may be the continuation of a medal-winning journey. And for Romania, it will be a moment of pride - proof that a dream declared nine years ago can inspire a nation and welcome the world.