Khaleejia said: Dubai filled with the scents of celebrations.
Today we celebrate the Mother's Day which has become a very popular festive. Every family prepare a special treat and buy generous gifts to the mothers. (Some pictures of the family celebration will be done later today exclusively for the Khaleejia's Life readers)
Another event that happened today is the International Arabian Horse championship opened by HH Sheikh Hamdan AL Maktoom. An amazing beauty of the arabian horses will be demonstrated during 3 days in the World Trade Centre,Dubai where visitors can also experience local culture at the traditional Heritage Village, which will showcase the UAE's authentic cuisine, clothing, handicraft, calligraphy and more.
Khaleejia said: I got a call from my friend inviting me to do some photo-shooting in a nice place with a nice people, i was not told much about them, but when we just came to the place which is a little bit outside of Dubai, in the desert.I was surprised to see so beautiful landscape combination of fresh green grass in the midle of the sands, palms and arabic stallions running among them.. We were met by an owner Rashid, beautiful Reem and her team. They treated us with traditional Emirati Al-Gahwa, homemade lugeimat and dates. I liked the atmosphere of hospitality. After we did some photography with Reem, her horse & the team, i back with her to the nice decorated little guest house, and asked some questions about her occupation, how she came to this and here is her story..
Reem Al Sharji
I’m interested in horses since childhood but professionally I started my trainings 4 years ago.
From where did you learn horse riding?
I like to learn it from experienced people , I learn everything from them- about riding, how to care and everything that related to this. Yes, I read books, browse internet, but I prefer to meet real experienced people and I go across the UAE visiting horseback riding clubs, coaches and everyone from who I can learn anything new.
-Tell about Samar, your beautiful horse.
I baught Samar because it was my dream to have a horse. When I bought it I put her in my house.But later on I transferred it to the Rashid’s stable where is everything done to make any horse feel like 5* luxury resort specially during the summer period.
Samar with me 1.5 years. She is my baby . I have 3 children and she is the 4th:) I love to learn her personality, character, also she is learning me. That is what I purely enjoying all the time communicating with horses, and establishing understanding between me and my horse. I noticed that she trusts me like none else, also I trust her and I never afraid from her. I call it love. This Love is bigger than fear. Once I fall down from her, and she didn’t leave me, she stayed beside me and waited until I got up.
Horse riding is a traumatic sport, how is your luck in this?
Before I started racing I did jumping and I left it because I fell down rolling over the fence I broke arm, All my family asked me to leave this sport but I could not. I just changed it to racing.
Since how long you participate in racing?
From 2011 About 2 times a year. Also I am the first Emirati woman who ride racing in abaya.
-What was the reason for you to ride wearing abaya?
When I started, guys there was a majority (in this sport). So I got shy. As I had to wear tide jeans & T-shirts with long sleeves, yes I worn also sheilah(scarf) but it did not make me feel comfortable. That’s why I decided to keep on abaya.
-What kind of abaya did you wear for riding?
It was fully closed one abaya with tide sleeves and under it I dressed trousers as when I rode horseback it goes a little up. When I tried ride in abaya first time, I got very satisfied and happy. I felt comfortable and finally relaxed. Because abaya for me it from one side- Islam, and from other side- UAE, and my respect to the traditions.Also as being emirati I have to give a good example on the world arene by representing my country.
Reem, tell me plz being a mother of 3 beautiful children Allah yakhfath-hum, a wife, and a young ambitious lady –how do you balance your life among these?
-I try my best. I divide my time between everybody I care/ I have been married for 13 years already and I am happy my family accepts my hobby.I am happy that my kids love horses too, specially the smallest one, she has no fear at all to Samrah, masha Allah. My husband also understands and supports me.
Khaleejia said:
Amazing VIDEO STORY about traditional way of raising and training horses in the deserts of the UAE by an Emirati Bedouin horsemaster Ali Al Amri who follows his owns his intuition inherited from his forefathers.
HISTORY The Arab originally appeared in what is now Syria, Iraq, Iran, and in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. In the begining the Arabian horse was used for wars. Arabs who lived in desert- Bedouins have generally been credited with the beginning of the pure breeding of Arabian horses. The Bedouins were the first owners of the Arabian horse and they bred them to be what they are today. Bedouins would also race their horses, the winner receiving the best horses from the herd of the loser. It was a great honor to receive a mare as a gift, as they had a great price. The horse that had been owned by Bedouin would stay in the tent with its owner. The Arabian horses have been working with people for over 1500 years. They were bred as desert war horses and as human friends. Arabian thoroughbreds are regarded as the purest and oldest breed of horses in the world. No other horse has had such a great influence on so many other breeds. Arabian horse is known for its strength, beauty, and stamina that has got admiration and adoration. Ancient breeding originated in the Middle East and has been around since at least 2000 B.C.,up to 5000 B.C. as some scintifics say.And for sure there are many myths and theories concerning the Arabian horse as they play a great role in lifes of nations. Most traditional legends including the Bedouin legends surround the Arabs roots in history. In most cases Arabians are considered a gift from God. The origin of the name Arab is unclear, possibly it deprived the concept of homadism "Arab ha". Showing or pleasure riding Arabs became the breed of choice in endurance in the world because of their stamina and agility. It is unknown whether Arabs were needed for the Bedouin to insure their survival.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
There are several characteristics of the Arabian horse that make the Arabian horse different from any other kind of horse. Their most noticeable characteristic of the Arabian is their head and face. Sometimes their delicate ears curve inwards.The Arabian horse has a very delicate build. It also has an arched neck with a long and flowing mane and tail. Arabian horses are the smallest of all the breeds in the world! The average Arabian horse is between 14 and 15 hand tall (57"). They rarely get to be over 15.2 hands. Some Arabs have one less vertebrae than other horses which gives them a short, but strong back.They are the only breed of horse to have only 17 ribs. Most other breeds have18 ribs.Arabian's are said to probably be the most beautiful breed of horses in the world. They have a small and proud head with always alert small ears. Their faces tend to dip in with a delicate muscle . Arabians are many different colors, most commonlythey are gray, chestnut, bay, roan, brown, and sometimes black.There was said to be some religious symbolism in the Arabs features. Some said the large forehead held the blessings of Allah. The high tail was a symbol of pride. The arched neck of the Arab was a sign of courage. The broad chest, strong yet short back as well as a sloped shoulder give them power.
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