· ‘Natural terrain, stunning landscape and a deep history of, and respect for, horses’ are key ingredients for AlUla to become a leading destination for Endurance Riding
· Equestrian sector is a key pillar in a longer term strategy to promote the AlUla region
AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-: Former Endurance World Champion Gianluca Laliscia said today that AlUla has all the ingredients to become one of the leading destinations for his sport and wants to use this month’s 2022 Fursan Cup to take another important step on that journey.
“As soon as I set foot in AlUla I could see the huge potential,” explained Laliscia, who won the FEI Endurance World Championship in 2005 and since retiring from competition has gone on to found and successfully run a number of businesses within the Endurance world, including his current position as CEO and Chaiman of sistemaeventi.it and Founder of Italia Endurance Stables & Academy.
As the new general sports director for The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2022, he is uniquely positioned to give an expert view on AlUla.
“As a place it has all the ingredients that you would want for a world class Endurance ride – natural terrain, stunning landscape, a deep history of, and respect for, horses as well as a collective and heartfelt ambition to grow the sport. Both at an elite level but also as a source of equestrian tourism.”
“Endurance is a wonderful sport. It’s my sport. It is unique amongst equestrian sports in that it involves a strong connection between three key elements: the rider, the horse and nature. For me, Endurance riding is about freedom and emotion. And AlUla definitely has the potential to become the Endurance capital of the Middle East.”
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2022 is an international CEI2*120km endurance competition organised in cooperation with the Royal Commission AlUla and Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF), that will see over 200 riders from more than 30 different countries. It is the third year that the event is being held and offers a prize fund worth 15 million Saudi riyals (USD $4.2 million).
The two stars competition, recognised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), covers a distance of 120 km, which participants complete by riding four loops that take on average eight hours to finish.
“Endurance also has a big connection with tourism, which is a very important point because the same track the international riders are using can also be used by amateurs. It is like a gym in an open space.”
Reflecting back on his experience in Italy last May [2021] at the Longines FEI Endurance World Championship 2021 in Pisa, which he was organising, Laliscia said:
“In Italy, where the last World Championship took place, the total amount spent by visitors in that destination during one week was about 20 million Euros. People like to come and attend Endurance events; and these people are very passionate.”
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“So, if we work well with the FEI, the Saudi Equestrian Federation and the Royal Commission AlUla, then I 100% believe that AlUla will be the capital of Endurance in the Middle East because the people that I’ve met here are all working towards the same goal, which is very important.”
The event will be one of the main attractions of the Winter at Tantora Festival and speaking on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla, Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer, said:
“The experience of horseback riding amongst the desert splendour and rock formations creates unforgettable memories. Our third staging of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup will be no different for our all riders.”
Winter at Tantora 21 December – 12 February is one of four main festivals being introduced in 2022 under the AlUla Moments banner. The festival includes another flagship equestrian event, AlUla Desert Polo, February 11-12 as well as a series of music events at Maraya. More events still to be announced. See experiencealula.com