Emirati student wins title at World FEI Championships

DUBAI: A student at the Canadian University Dubai (CUD) having the biggest inspiration from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, has been crowned World Champion at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) Endurance World Championships staged recently in Buftea, Romania.

Rashed Mohammed Atiq Almehairi, the student of Accounting and Finance department at CUD, has secured the title after an intense 126km race, reinforcing the UAE’s distinguished global standing in endurance sport.

Having started in the sport in 2021 at 16 years old, Rashed has since competed in many races both in the UAE and internationally, winning multiple competitions and achieving several podium finishes.

Rashed Mohammed Atiq Almehairi poses with the trophy.

Now aged 20, he adds the prestigious FEI World Champion title to his impressive list of accomplishments. Speaking to the media about his journey through the sport, Rashed said, “I’ve loved horses since I was a child. I actually can’t remember my life without them. Riding was always part of me, and over time, I wanted to take it to a more professional level. My biggest inspirations have always been His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Their passion and dedication to endurance racing really motivate me. Seeing how much they care about the sport inspires me to do my best every time I compete.”

Speaking about his most recent success, Rashed said, “It felt amazing; crossing that finish line and realising I was World Champion was a dream come true. For me, it’s more than just winning a medal; it’s the result of years of hard work, dedication, long training days, and the support of my family, team, and country. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Rashed’s performance adds to the UAE’s formidable heritage in endurance riding. “The UAE has always been strong in endurance, and I’m proud to add to that history. Winning shows the world that our riders and horses are at the top, and it reflects the support and vision of our country’s leadership in this sport. Endurance is all about preparation, and the team trained nonstop. Every ride we did, every challenge we faced in training helped us on race day,” Rashed said.

As a student-athlete, Rashed has successfully balanced his academic endeavour with his demanding training schedule, which he credits to the support of the CUD community.

He explained, “CUD has been very supportive of me as both a student and an athlete. Balancing studies and sport isn’t easy, but the encouragement I get from my professors and classmates really helps. Being at CUD taught me how to manage my time and stay focused. I’m proud to represent my university while pursuing my passion for endurance racing.”

Reflecting on his journey, Rashed concluded with some words of inspiration to fellow students and aspiring athletes, saying, “Nothing is impossible. Success takes patience and hard work. If you have a goal, focus on it, and take something new from every training session and every ride. In the end, you only ever compete against yourself, whether it’s in sports, studies, or anything else.”