The equestrian race event, organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation, was set to be held in AlUla next month.
Due to COVID-19 risks and public interest to allow for wider participation, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) announced it will postpone the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, which was scheduled to be held in AlUla next month, to 4 December 2021.
The decision comes in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the concerned authorities, which prohibit public attendance in sporting events. The new date will allow for a large fan presence, similar to the previous two editions of the race, and will ensure the safety of the participants.
The 120-kilometre equestrian race, held against the spectacular backdrop of AlUla’s natural and heritage landscapes, was announced following the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration between RCU and the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF).
The partnership between RCU and SAEF builds on the long history of horse-riding and equestrianism in AlUla, which extends back thousands of years. Horses have been depicted in rock art and inscriptions on AlUla’s Jabal Ikmah and Jabal AlAqrah in various forms and artistic styles, and their early appearance on rock facades, dating back 8,000 years, illustrates this early relationship between humans and horses in the Arabian Peninsula.
The partnership has already seen the two organisations host two editions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup (AlFursan Forum) in AlUla, one of the most globally prominent endurance races. The third edition will feature 200 Saudi, regional and international participants and highlights the continuing growth of equestrianism in AlUla.
The event aligns with RCU’s commitment to growing grassroots level sport in the area by developing new industries and economic opportunities around equestrianism, as well as expanding its tourism offering through adventure sports.
