Nearly 1,400 people attended a series of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance educational courses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), last week in advance of the endurance season opener, a CEI1* 80-kilometer ride.

The attendees, numbering 1,347 in total, included athletes, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, judges, technical delegates, and stewards.

The courses were an important element in the legally binding agreement signed between the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) and the FEI prior to the lifting of the provisional suspension at the end of July. The FEI Bureau had suspended the EEF in March of this year following an investigation into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in the country.

Chair of the FEI Endurance Committee, Brian Sheahan, acted as course director, alongside Dwight Hooton, DVM, a member of the FEI Veterinary Committee and veterinary advisor to the EEF, and FEI Endurance Director Manuel Bandeira de Mello. The EEF Assistant Secretary General Faisal al Ali attended the first session on Oct. 10, and Dr Ali Al Twessi from the EEF Endurance Department was also on hand to offer translation services