The Desert Challenge and FEI Group IX Endurance Regional Championships 2026 got underway in Henties Bay on Monday, bringing together approximately 150 riders from Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Angola, as well as individual competitors from Australia, the Netherlands and France.
The prestigious event combines the 2026 FEI Group IX Endurance Regional Championship, Namibian Endurance Championship and Desert Challenge, providing a demanding test of horse and rider across Namibia’s challenging coastal desert terrain.
The headline competition is the 120km FEI Group IX Regional Championship, featuring teams from Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. Namibia is represented by the National NAM Team and a NAMEF Team, while South Africa and Botswana have entered their respective national teams.
The 120km Desert Challenge will also see Namibia’s National Team compete against South Africa, adding another major contest for the country’s leading endurance riders.
The 80km FEI Regional Championship features teams from Angola, NAMEF and the NAMEF Development Team, with an ERASA team also possibly joining the competition. Riders are competing in several categories, including Young Rider, Lightweight, Standard Weight and Heavyweight.
The event is also highlighting Namibia’s emerging endurance talent, with Namibia Endurance introducing six selected teams representing the Namibian Equestrian Federation (NAMEF), including four teams carrying the Namibian flag.
The Young Riders Team, the first team to be introduced, consists of emerging athletes who have earned their places following months of preparation, training and countless kilometres in the saddle. For the young competitors, the Desert Challenge provides an opportunity to test their endurance and horsemanship against one of Namibia’s most distinctive and demanding environments while gaining valuable experience alongside established riders.
The five-day programme started on Monday with track viewing at the Ride Base, followed by a welcoming function at Henties Bay Golf Club.
Today riders’ complete registration and weigh-in, followed by the first horse inspections and a riders’ briefing.
The first competition day starts at 05h30 on Wednesday, 26 August, followed by veterinary inspections and a briefing ahead of the second day of competition on Thursday.
The second competition day starts at 5:30 on Thursday, 27 August, with the official prize-giving ceremony scheduled for 19:30 at Henties Bay Golf Club.
The event concludes on Friday with horse check-outs between 7:00 and 8:30.
Organised under the auspices of the Namibian Equestrian Federation and Namibia Endurance, the championship is expected to showcase the endurance, fitness, discipline and horsemanship required at the highest level of the sport.
With national and regional honours at stake, Henties Bay provides a spectacular backdrop as riders and horses take on one of Namibia’s most demanding endurance challenges.
By Rudi Bowe
