How Qualification Works for the 2026 World Endurance Championship at AlUla, Saudi Arabia

17 January 2026

by Endurance.net

To make the final list, the riders must complete specific requirements during the qualification period (September 2024 – July 2026):

1 Certificate of Capability (COC): The horse/rider combination must successfully complete at least one CEI 3* (160 km) competition or two CEI 2* (120 km) competitions together.

2 Soundness: The horse must pass strict veterinary inspections throughout the selection trials.

3 Nominated Entries: USEF will submit a "Long List" of qualified riders (usually around 10–12) to the FEI in October 2026.

4 Final Squad: The final travelling team (usually 5 riders + reserves) is selected from that list just weeks before the event.

An Analysis of a Possible USA Team for the 2026 WEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET

January 13 2025

The official U.S. Endurance Team for the 2026 World Championship has not yet been selected. The qualification window is currently open (running through July 2026), and the final squad will not be named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) until closer to the event date.

However, based on the 2024 World Championship Team (competed in Monpazier, France) and current USEF Elite Rankings, the following athletes and horses are the primary contenders likely to vie for spots on the 2026 squad.

Top U.S. Contenders (The "Watch List")

These athletes are currently competing at the elite 3* (160 km) level required for the World Championships.

1. Jeremy Reynolds (Dunnellon, FL)

A veteran of multiple World Championships (2012, 2014) and a multi-time Tevis Cup winner.

• Top Horse: Treasured Moments (2010 Arabian Mare)
• Notes: This pair is a powerhouse in U.S. endurance, having won multiple 160 km events, including the 2022 World Championship Test Event.

2. Kelsey Russell (Williston, FL)

A highly experienced rider who has moved from Young Rider gold medals to the Senior team.

• Top Horse: Juno Im Gold (2015 Half-Arabian Gelding)
• Notes: They were part of the 2024 World Championship team and finished 34th. This horse is hitting his prime age (11) for the 2026 event.

3. Holly Corcoran (Stroudsburg, PA)

A consistent finisher known for careful pacing and horsemanship.

• Top Horse: Lorienn (2012 Arabian Mare)
• Notes: Finished 33rd at the 2024 World Championships (crossing the line with Kelsey Russell).
• Other Horse: Poete (2007 Arabian Gelding) – likely nearing retirement from championship level by 2026, but still a key backup.

4. Cheryl Van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, FL)

Consistently the #1 ranked U.S. senior rider by points, often competing on multiple horses.

• Top Horses:
• JG General (2012 Arabian Gelding) – Competed at the 2023 World Championships in UAE.
• Madjule (2015 Arabian Mare) – A strong up-and-coming 160 km horse.

Notable Young Riders / Rising Talent

While the focus is on the Senior team, top Young Riders often step up to the Senior level for World Championships if they have a capable horse.

• Avery Betz-Conway: Represented the U.S. at Young Rider Championships and has strong recent results.
• Alex Shampoe: Served as an alternate for the Senior team in 2024.

An Analysis of a Possible Brazil Team for the 2026 WEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET

January 10 2025

As of December 9, 2025, Brazil enters the final preparation phase for AlUla as the South American heavyweight and a dangerous "dark horse" for the podium.

While European teams like France and Spain dominate the current rankings, Brazil has a proven track record of upsetting the favorites, most notably securing the Team Silver Medal at the 2021 World Championships (Pisa). They are currently rebuilding that "Golden Generation" squad.

Here is the detailed status of the Brazilian Team ("Team Brasil") for the 2026 cycle:

1. Current Team Status: Rebuilding & Hosting Momentum

Brazil spent much of 2025 focused on regional dominance, having hosted the 2025 Pan American Endurance Championships in Campinas (São Paulo) in July 2025.

• Regional Kings: As hosts, Brazil fielded a large number of combinations in Campinas, allowing the selectors (CBH - Confederação Brasileira de Hipismo) to evaluate a deep pool of talent.
• The "Desert Connection": Brazil is unique among non-Middle Eastern nations because they are a primary exporter of endurance horses to the UAE and Bahrain. Many top horses competing for Bahrain in 2026 were likely bred in Brazil. This means Brazilian riders are riding bloodlines that are proven to excel in the AlUla desert conditions (hardiness and heat tolerance).

2. Key Contenders ("The Watch List")

The Brazilian team relies on a mix of experienced veterans and new talent that emerged during the home Pan Ams.

• André Vidiz: The anchor of the team.
• Status: A veteran of the Silver Medal winning 2021 team. He remains highly active internationally.
• Recent Form: He was observed competing at the Santa Susana (Spain) endurance festival in December 2025 (riding Shogun Endurance), testing himself against the top European riders. Although he faced a vetting irregularity there, his experience makes him a lock for the squad if sound.
• Rodrigo Barreto:
• Status: A consistent high-performance rider with over 100 FEI starts and 16 wins. He is a stable force for the team, often delivering the completion scores needed for a team result.
• Renato Salvatore: Another veteran name often associated with the elite squad, known for strategic riding in difficult terrain.

3. Strategic Outlook for AlUla

• The "Clean Round" Strategy: Brazil's best chance for a medal in 2026 is to replicate their 2021 strategy: let the UAE, Bahrain, and Spain burn each other out with high speeds in the first three loops, and then ride for a steady finish.
• Logistics: Unlike the Europeans who can drive their horses to test events, Brazil faces expensive air travel. It is unlikely they will send a full team to the February 2026 Test Event. Instead, they may lease horses already stationed in the Middle East or rely on their riders' innate adaptability.

Summary of the Global "Challengers"

• Brazil: The top South American contender. Capable of Silver/Bronze if the race has a high attrition rate.
• Uruguay/Chile: Likely to send individual riders, but Brazil remains the only South American nation with a realistic shot at a Team Medal.

An Analysis of a Possible Italy Team for the 2026 WEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET

January 7 2025

As of December 9, 2025, Italy holds the status of a technical heavyweight with high expectations, following their crucial role as the host nation for the 2025 European Championships.

While France and Spain currently hold the top two spots in global rankings, Italy is widely considered the leader of the "chasing pack," consistently fighting for the bronze medal position against nations like Bahrain and Brazil.

Here is the detailed status of the Italian Team ("Azzurri") for the 2026 cycle:

1. Current Team Status: The "Home" Advantage

Italy spent the entirety of 2025 focused on the European Championship, which they hosted in Castiglione del Lago (Umbria) in June 2025.

• Technical Peak: Because they hosted the continental championship, the Italian horses and riders are currently at a peak of fitness and technical preparation.
• Transition Challenge: The primary challenge for Italy in 2026 is adaptation. They spent 2025 training for the rolling green hills and hard tracks of Umbria. For 2026, they must rapidly transition their training to handle the deep sand and heat of the Saudi desert.

2. Key Contenders ("The Watch List")

The Italian team is heavily anchored by one superstar athlete and her supporting stable, often referred to as the "Fuxiateam" (based in Perugia).

• Costanza Laliscia: The undisputed star of Italian endurance.
• Status: She is one of the most decorated young athletes in FEI history. She won the Test Event for the European Championship in 2024 and is the team’s anchor.
• Horse: Zagara di Chia or Assim du Barthas. Costanza is known for her "smart riding"—she rarely overrides a horse, making her critical for team completion scores.
• Daniele Serioli:
• Status: A veteran rider with immense experience but mixed luck in recent championships (having faced an FTQ in Monpazier 2024). He is known for aggressive riding and is often the "hare" who pushes the pace for the team.
• Horse: Look for him to bring a horse with more desert experience, possibly sourced from UAE connections.
• Camilla Coppini:
• Status: A rising talent who has been consistent at the CEI 3* level and represents the next generation of the squad.

3. Strategic Outlook for AlUla

• Precision over Speed: Unlike the Spanish team (who ride for pure speed) or the French (who ride for strength), Italians are known for technical precision. Their vetting records are usually excellent.
• The "Desert Gap": Italy historically performs better in European terrain (France/Italy/Slovakia) than in the desert. To podium in AlUla, they will likely need to rely on the high failure rate of the faster teams (Bahrain/UAE/Spain). If the race becomes a war of attrition, Italy is well-positioned to take a medal.

Summary of the European Power Balance (Dec 2025)

• Gold Favorite: France (Reigning World Champions)
• Silver Favorite: Spain (Reigning European Champions)
• Bronze Contender: Italy (European Hosts & Technical Specialists)

Analysis by the Endurance.net Team

An Analysis of a Possible Spanish Team for the 2026 WEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET

January 5 2025

As of December 9, 2025, Spain enters the 2026 World Championship cycle as a major powerhouse and arguably the strongest challenger to France’s dominance.

Spain is currently the Reigning European Champion, having won the Team Gold Medal at the FEI European Championship in Castiglione del Lago, Italy, in June 2025. This victory has solidified their status as a top contender for the World title in AlUla.

Here is the detailed status of the Spanish Team ("Equipo Español") for the 2026 cycle:

1. Current Team Status: European Champions

Spain is riding high on momentum from their 2025 European victory.

• Recent Form: At the 2025 European Championships, the Spanish team displayed exceptional tactical discipline. While the Dutch rider Marijke Visser won the individual gold, Spain won the Team Gold by having three riders finish in the top 11—a feat of consistency that is critical for team championships.
• Desert Specialists: Historically, Spanish riders and horses (often bred at the Juma’s Team stables) excel on fast, flat, and warm courses. They are very comfortable with the high speeds expected in the Saudi desert, often training or competing in the UAE during the winter.

2. Key Contenders ("The Watch List")

The Spanish selection is deep, often centered around the powerhouse stables in Catalonia.

• Gil Berenguer Carrera: The current star of the team.
• Status: Won Individual Bronze at the 2025 European Championships.
• Horse: Jilguero II (formerly Clavijo de Guad), who also won the prestigious Best Condition award at the 2025 Euros. This combination is a top medal threat for AlUla.
• Maria Alvarez Ponton: A legend of the sport (2010 World Champion).
• Status: She was part of the Gold Medal team in 2025 but was "Failed to Qualify" (FTQ) individually on her horse Fatal during the race. However, her experience makes her indispensable. She has a deep string of horses, including JM El Sobrino.
• Omar Blanco Rodrigo:
• Status: Finished 6th at the 2025 European Championships, proving he can ride at the elite pace required for medals.
• Juan Carlos Ruiz de Villa:
• Status: The steady finisher who secured the Team Gold in 2025 by finishing 11th on L.M. Whisky.

3. Strategic Outlook for AlUla

• Speed vs. Terrain: Spanish riders are known for riding fast. The AlUla course (technical, sandy, and rocky) is different from the flat tracks of Dubai. The team’s success will depend on whether they choose their "desert speed" horses or their "technical terrain" horses.
• Selection Trial: Like France, the Spanish federation (RFHE) will likely use the AlFursan Cup in February 2026 as a final observation trial. Expect to see the "Juma's Team" vans in Saudi Arabia this winter.

Summary of the "Big Three" Status

• France: Reigning World Champions (2024). Deepest bench.
• Spain: Reigning European Champions (2025). Fastest riders.
• Bahrain/UAE: The "Home Court" favorites (due to desert familiarity).