by Alex Shampoe
A week ago, I returned from one of my favorite trips to date—an experience that left me with incredible memories, lifelong friendships, and a deeper appreciation for endurance riding. I had the privilege of riding two amazing horses, reconnecting with friends from around the world—Jordan, Australia, Germany, and beyond—and making new friendships that will last a lifetime.
The People Who Made This Trip Special
Let me start with my team. Maya Janbey from Namibia, was experiencing Saudi Arabia for the first time. She speaks perfect English, German, and Afrikaans, and we instantly clicked. We rode together in the 120K and spent the day together after I was pulled from the 160K. Then there was Anne Wegner from Germany, whom I met last year when we rode for the same stable. Anne was invaluable in helping us navigate the venue and giving us confidence. I’m so grateful for both of them, and I can’t wait to see where our paths cross again.
We stayed with Faisal, the owner and leader of our team, in a massive house where many of our crew members also lived. A good bit of them spoke some English, and a few were nearly fluent. They made us feel so welcome and safe from the moment we arrived. One evening, after a long day at the venue, a small group took us to the Old Town walk of AlUla. We enjoyed traditional Arabic food and explored the beautifully lit cave walkways and charming shops. The main stage, set against towering rocks illuminated with Arabic script, was breathtaking. It was a night I’ll never forget.
The 2★ (120K) Race – Riding Helfik
My 2★ horse was Helfik De Kermat, a stunning 8-year-old grey gelding. He had already completed two 100K races and one 120K earlier this season, so I knew he was ready. This was the biggest race of his career so far, and I was so excited to ride him. The day before the race, he warmed up beautifully—calm and responsive, even when other horses around him were getting worked up. I felt confident heading into race day. The vet check was stressful, with many horses feeling the energy of the event. Helfik was a little excited trotting back to the vet but settled quickly. We were ready.
Race morning was pure chaos—but in the best way. Our stable had 13 horses at the start line. Six were aiming for top-10 finishes, while the rest of us focused on completion. We walked to the start area as a group and joined a massive pack of nearly 200 horses moving in a giant circle. The horses in the middle were canter/galloping, the next layer trotting, and those of us on the outside walking. Helfik, in his biggest start ever, walked as calmly as he could.
Once we launched down the chute, it was hectic trying to find our place among the other teams, but we quickly settled into a rhythm. The first loop flew by—rolling hills, solid footing, and a short stretch of deep sand before hitting the runway into the vet check. Helfik was incredible. He pulsed down fast and passed the vet check with ease. During the hold, he was a little nervous, so I walked him while he ate.
Loop Two
The second loop was the toughest. It started with rolling hills and patches of deep sand before reaching the base of a long, sandy climb. There was a water stop, volunteers handed out cool water to help keep our horses refreshed. The climb itself felt endless, but I was grateful Helfik was a fast walker! At the top, another water stop gave us a quick break before we faced a steep, sandy descent. Seeing my pen-pal friend Talia at the crew area lifted my spirits—she helped keep Helfik happily munching and walking while I took a much-needed food break.
Loop Three
I think of this loop in thirds: the first part had great footing and rolling hills, then we hit deep sand, though thankfully not too steep, before finishing on solid ground. Helfik cruised through like a pro—eating, walking, and staying strong.
Final Loop
The last loop was my favorite. The scenery was breathtaking as we rode between towering rocks that echoed with the sounds of riders' voices. Helfik, the fastest walker in our group, led much of this stretch. We passed our incredible crew at an out crew point before navigating rolling sand hills that led to the final stretch—the runway to the finish.
Every single one of our seven horses completed the race, and our stable had an outstanding 12/13 completion rate—especially impressive considering only 50% of the total starters finished! The team was thrilled, and I couldn’t have been prouder of Helfik. He never lost his appetite, pulsed down quickly every time, and was strong and willing throughout the entire race.
The 3★ (160K) Race
The next day, I started the 160K race but was pulled for lameness after the first loop. Though disappointed, I was relieved that my horse, Ghiornu D’Olmarellu, was okay and will race again soon. Ghiornu, a smooth-moving 9-year-old gelding, made the early morning ride alongside Anne feel magical as we watched the sunrise over the desert.
Even though I didn’t get to finish, I spent the rest of the day crewing with my Saudi teammates. They did their best to lift my spirits—singing in the car, sharing snacks, and helping me learn a little Arabic while I taught them some English. Just making an effort to speak someone else’s language meant so much to them, and their excitement when we understood an Arabic word was contagious.
I also got to spend extra time with both my horses—walking them, letting them roll, and just soaking in the privilege of being there.
The venue was amazing. The area was so thoughtfully layed out from where the stables were to the catering tent, where the opening ceremonies with the stands for spectators was. They had a special crew parking area close to the vet holds so your crew could be as fast as possible getting out to help you. Every loop there was at least 2/3 places with water troughs for the horses to drink with volenteers to hand us cool water for the horses. There was at least 2 crew pionts on Every loop a for the horses to drink and of course out crew to support us.
This trip reminded me why I love endurance riding so much. It’s not just about the races—it’s about the people, the horses, the connections, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. I left AlUla with a heart full of gratitude, new friendships, and even more passion for this incredible sport.
