POLO LEGENDS & SHOWJUMPING PIONEERS: ALULA ELEVATES GLOBAL EQUESTRIAN EXCELLENCE

The AlUla Desert Polo reached a spectacular conclusion this January at the Mohammed Yousuf Naghi AlFursan Equestrian Village, further cementing AlUla’s status as a global capital for heritage sport. Against a backdrop of ancient sandstone canyons, the tournament’s pinnacle match saw Team Defender, led by the indomitable Pablo MacDonough, secure a hard-fought 9-8 victory over Team AlUla to lift the 2026 trophy.

The event’s prestige was underscored by the continued presence of the legendary La Dolfina family, whose long-term strategic alliance with AlUla remains the heartbeat of the desert circuit. While MacDonough steered the winning side, fellow La Dolfina icons Adolfo Cambiaso and David “Pelón” Stirling Jr. displayed the world-class horsemanship that has become synonymous with the club, delighting a sophisticated international audience. In line with the objectives of the Royal Commission for AlUla to expand the scope of equestrian competitions, the month also marked a historic milestone with the launch of the AlUla Amateur Showjumping Championship. Delivered in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation, this was the first competition of its kind to be hosted at the AlFursan Club, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a premiere equestrian destination and significantly enhancing the diversity of its sporting ecosystem.

The equestrian momentum in the region shows no sign of slowing as the focus now shifts from the arena to the open desert. In February, AlUla will host its highly anticipated annual AlFursan Endurance weekend, a gruelling test of stamina and strategy. The festival will feature both the 120 km and the elite 160 km categories, serving as a critical precursor for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship later this year.

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