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saharastars
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 107
Location: Wonderland
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 Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: Horse riding in Riyadh |
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Are there any stables where women can go horse riding in Riyadh? also for children?
How expensive cheap is it?
What about horse racing and horse shows, are families allowed to go if they are held?
Thanks all. |
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Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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Some information to ponder:
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JEDDAH � Seven years ago Sumaya Al-Thaqafi and her husband were cruising in their car on the eastern Ring Road in Jeddah when they passed one of several ranches in the area.
Seeing horses being taken out for a trot, she asked her husband to stop.
Sumaya wanted to try the horse riding.
Women are not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, but horseback riding is acceptable.
�I just wanted such a unique experience,� Sumaya said about the 10-minute horseback ride that changed her life.
�A Saudi equestrian coach helped me get on to the horse. Then, grabbing the bridle, he started escorting me around the ranch paddock. I was scared.�
But 10 minutes later, Sumaya had made up her mind.
�I decided to take a course on horse riding.�
Today, Sumaya is one of a few Saudi women who have taken to equestrianism, a recreational sport that, in competition, involves such intensely contested events as dressage and show jumping where poise and polish matter as much as control.
More Saudi women are expected to take to the sport after Arwa Mutabagani, an accomplished Saudi equestrienne, became the first woman to be named to the board of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation last April.
For Sumaya, in her mid-twenties and a mother of two, horseback riding was a welcome distraction from her full-time job as a journalist with a local daily. After getting a diploma in Journalism from The London School of Journalism (LSJ), she had started out as a columnist with Al-Madina Arabic daily in 2004 and soon moved to reporting to specialize in sports, especially horse riding.
Learning how to ride a horse was not easy, Sumaya said. She spent a month just learning how to use the horse tacks � the saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales, and breastplates � and to get on the saddle using the stirrups.
Then followed practice on how to sit firmly on the saddle. The second training phase, which lasted around six months, was about the four basic gaits for a rider.
�I started to practice riding the horse with a four-beat walk ride,� she said. �The next level was two-beat trotting. Then came cantering with a three-beat gait. The fourth and most professional gait was galloping at a speed averaging from 40 to 50 kilometer per hour.�
Peculiar problem
But before all that Sumaya had to solve a peculiar problem of the rider�s apparel. On the advice of Humayed, her equestrian coach, she had spent around SR1000 for a show jacket, shirt, breeches and helmet. �I went for the Indian brand because I could not afford the English ones at that time,� she said.
But then she tried out the tight breeches, she found it quite unbecoming of her.
�I had no problem wearing the rest of the apparel but I didn�t want to be seen in the very tight breeches, especially in front of men,� she said. �I tired to wear an Abaya over the breeches but unfortunately it didn�t work.�
Sumaya was in a quandary. She loved horseback riding but did not want to ride in tight breeches. �Luckily, one day while I was in the car I saw an Indian man on a bike and he was wearing the Punjabi garment (the shalwar-kameez).
I noticed that his kameez covered most of the legs as he rode, and I decided then and there that that was the garment for me, to cover my legs and which didn�t affect my Islamic Hejab.� Freed from her discomfort over the breeches, Sumaya was now on a gallop and aiming to achieve more. She enrolled for the show jumping courses, which included dressage, eventing, hunters and equitation.
�This was the scariest stage,� she said. �I was afraid of falling while jumping over the obstacles.
Humayed tried to convince me that falling was inevitable and that most riders � beginners or advanced � were vulnerable to falls.�
She said she braced herself for the worst but after her first fall, her fear vanished. �The falls helped because they motivated more and made me gutsy enough to perform more difficult jumps.�
Sumaya started out without a horse of her own and eventually managed to buy one.
�It was such a disappointment,� she said.�I bought a horse without consulting the experts and so compromised on quality just for a good price. He was of a hybrid breed called Khadeej.�
The price of a good breed, she said, starts at around SR50,000 or to 60,000, and the better breeds are of Belgium or German origin. �Unfortunately, most of the breeds available here do not have certificates showing their origin.�
Sumaya said equestrianism is still a very exclusive sport in the country and it was too early to think of special events for women riders.
There are very private tournaments organized in Riyadh and Jeddah by Kingdom Holding Company of Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal, Sumaya said. The few female Saudi riders who take part in such events are Alya Al-Khuwaiter, Sara Babani and Lateefa Al-El Sheikh.
Nonetheless, Saudi male and female riders, including the Olympic riders Abdullah Al-Sharbatly and Khalid Al-Dosary do take part in events recognized by the Federation Equestre International (FEI), which take place annually in some Arab countries like Syria and Bahrain, she said. These three-day tournaments are usually for show jumping and endurance riding.
�The show jumping consists of 11 assorted obstacles with different heights starting from 80 cm and going up to 140 cm,� Sumaya said, her eyes lighting up at the thought of the challenge.
There must be competitions like these for women riders in Saudi Arabia, she wished. |
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2008072312499
Check with the Marriot Hotel in Riyadh because they have horseback riding offered as one of their activities at a facility nearly 10 miles away.
I don't know what kind of breed you are interested in, but there are several bigish Arabian horse shows every year. Remember this is a king's sport and I mean that figuratively and literally. I know some of the trainers who come to the M.E. from America to show. Ironically, it's the Arabian horses, which are hardest for the average joe to get his hands on while all the other breeds (including Friesians) are fairly cheap by American standards. I'm pretty sure there are a few English style equestrian centres on compounds, but I'm not sure which ones. That's not my discipline and I'm not interested in jumping so I don't care. I know my Arabians!
Oops, forgot, check this link out too: http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2009/03/horses.html
Last edited by Kalima Shahada on Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Kalima Shahada,
Now that's a horse of a different color. 
Regards,
John |
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saharastars
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 107
Location: Wonderland
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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A huge thank you for your intelligent and extremely useful posting.
Do you think I could afford it on a teachers salary? As my husband keeps telling me I have extremely expensive tastes. |
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Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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| saharastars wrote: |
A huge thank you for your intelligent and extremely useful posting.
Do you think I could afford it on a teachers salary? As my husband keeps telling me I have extremely expensive tastes. |
It's up to you. Susie is paying these rates:
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| The ranch offers annual memberships which allow for reduced rate riding lessons. An annual membership is 1000 riyals ($250 US) which brings the rate for a half hour group lesson down to as low as 55 riyals (which is less than $13 US). Non-members are charged 150 riyals for a private lesson (less than $40 US). If you just want to ride a pony without any instruction, you can do that too. |
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saharastars
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 107
Location: Wonderland
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:04 am Post subject: |
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Thanks again Kalima Shahada 'ashadu an la ilaha ila Allah wa ashadu ana muhammadan rasool Allah'.
Wow its iteresting that you you know trainers, I see that your profile says your home is in a stable, does that mean you live on a ranch? I learn't what little I know on city Horse riding club, and loved it. One of the best holidays I ever had was horse trekking up into the Welsh Hills, it was in the middle of nowhere and just glorious.
One day I might even be able to buy my own horse, though what pedigree is best? Allahu alam. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Horses are an expensive hobby wherever you live in the world.  But, I do know of teachers who managed to arrange lessons and mingle with the horsie set in Oman, Qatar, and Egypt. Glad to hear that it is also possible in Saudi. Though I expect that much depends on where you will be living.
VS |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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| There is a well-known equestrian club in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter. |
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Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Well, in the Magic Kingdom, camel riding is more popular and beneficial than horse riding. Why? Well, I will tell you why! 
First, in the Magic Kingdom, camel racing is more popular than horse racing. Second, camels are used to produce milk which is more expensive than petrol (Gaz for you Americans! ), and used for different medical purposes.Third, and most importantly, camel racing in the Magic Kingdom is not only a sporting event but a question of honor and the competition between different local tribes!
In addition, the Saudis train their children, including girls, how to ride camels since the age of 7!! Check the follwoing link:
http://www.equinenow.com/video-num-180955.htm
There's a saying in Saudi Arabia:
"My father rode a camel. I drive a car. My son rides in a jet airplane. His son will ride a camel." |
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Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear Kalima Shahada,
Now that's a horse of a different color.
Regards,
John |
We might expect to see some big changes in the not to distant future with regards to women riding horses in competitions, especially if this article is anything to go by:
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This year [2008] Arwa Mutabagani was the first Saudi woman to be appointed as a top sports administrator, at the Equestrian Federation.
At a centre Ms Mutabagani set-up in Jeddah, Abdullah al-Shurbatly canters around the arena watched by a few young women.
The dashing young equestrian will compete this summer in Beijing on his English horse, Hugo, and is one of the big Saudi medal hopes.
Behind these high walls other young women are also learning to ride.
"Only 50 girls are riding and they are not that good, because here in the national shows they are not allowed to ride," he said.
"When they compete in Europe and start to do competitions and train hard they are going to get better."
No-one from the Saudi Olympic Committee was available for interview, but the International Olympic Committee is thought to be putting increasing pressure on them to include women in the future.
London 2012 may therefore see Saudi women Olympians for the first time. If not, it is conceivable the Kingdom may not be allowed to enter an all-male team. |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7449220.stm
Still feeling doubtful? Well, read on:
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Al-Huwaete Dazzles in Bahrain King�s Cup: Equestrian
Razan Baker, Arab News
JEDDAH, 23 March 2007 � �It is not my success alone, the success belongs to women all over the Kingdom,� said Alia Al-Huwaete, 25, to Arab News after her arrival back home to Riyadh.
Al-Huwaete placed third in the Bahrain King�s Cup in the 120km endurance event that took place from March 10 to 13. While Al-Huwaete secured third place with her horse Anwar Al-Mamlakah, Abdulrahman Al-Hawwas clinched fourth place. The youngest Saudi equestrian Latifah Al-Shaikh, 14, clinched third position in the juvenile events.
Among other Saudi riders, Nourah Al-Yousif joined the team with Mohammed Al-Mihlis, who represent the Kingdom Holding Company owned by Prince AlWaleed ibn Talal.
Al-Huwaete believes her success will give the Kingdom a new record to boast about. �I am so happy I can�t describe it. I�m grateful that I had the support of such a good team that was very motivating and encouraging,� she said.
Coach Najeeb Barjas also expressed his admiration for the team�s success and said it was all due to Prince Al-Waleed ibn Talal�s continued support for Saudi women.
�These women have not only brought back success to their country but a victory that was never expected. We are truly proud of them,� he said.
According to Barjas, Al-Huwaete managed to surpass their expectations with her brilliant performance. He lauded her performance especially in the last round where world champions competing against her took eighth and ninth places while she managed to get third.
Previously the same team of the Holding Company participated in four championships in the Ittihad Cup in Saudi Arabia placing first, second and third. They also placed first, third and fourth in a Bahrain Championship. In addition they placed 16th among 120 in the UAE Equestrian Championship, and placed first in the Crown Prince Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The next battle for the team is after a month and a half when they compete in the final stage of the equestrian season in Bahrain. The two male riders will also participate in Saudi Arabia�s Equestrian King�s Cup, which will take place next month. |
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=8§ion=0&article=94051&d=23&m=3&y=2007
You GO ladies! Insha'Allah, you will! |
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polly1
Joined: 05 Oct 2009
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:38 am Post subject: horse riding |
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| Thanks Kamila! You're wealth of information. I love horses and (from my limited experience,) they seem to like me)...so your posts are good news. Giddy-up! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:57 am Post subject: |
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| I am surprised that horse riding is so cheap. An advantage of living in a low-wage, low-cost economy ? |
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bounce
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:07 am Post subject: |
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DQ stables costs SAR 1200 for annual membership (including 10 hours of lessons); top-ups of a further 10 hours are 1000 each. The main trainer, Balu, is very good - helpful, encouraging, good with kids etc. Some of the others are less inspiring. Horses are well looked after and the setting is nice, though hot in summer because there isn't much shade, so we usually go early mornings or after sundown.
Bounce |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: |
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| bounce wrote: |
DQ stables costs SAR 1200 for annual membership (including 10 hours of lessons); top-ups of a further 10 hours are 1000 each. The main trainer, Balu, is very good - helpful, encouraging, good with kids etc. Some of the others are less inspiring. Horses are well looked after and the setting is nice, though hot in summer because there isn't much shade, so we usually go early mornings or after sundown.
Bounce |
What about insurance are the horses and customers insured against un-expected accidents? |
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