When thinking about horse racing, the United Arab Emirates always rings a bell to worldwide horse racing fans and enthusiasts. Apart from it being one of the best and the safest travel/tourist destinations worldwide, the UAE’s rich history and all things equestrian truly attracts people around the globe.

Talking about all things equestrian, in several countries, people have shown great interest in horse racing. In fact, as far back as the year 2004 until today, worldwide interest has been consistently present. In the United Arab Emirates, interest by subregion for horse racing is centered in the Emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

The sport’s popularity has made countries devise their own particular horse racing traditions, such as running in different gaits, on different distances, over some obstacles, including race restrictions for certain horse breed types. In addition, gambling that has been associated with horse racing over the years plays a major part in worldwide interest.

QUICK FACT: In 2008, horse racing generated a worldwide market of around 115B USD.

HORSE RACING HISTORY IN THE UAE

Racing of horses in the UAE as an equestrian sport has made the country become part of the so-called “great racing nations”. Professional horse racing started in the country in the year 1992 that coincides with the development of Emirates Racing Authority (ERA). Since then, horse racing has been held at these five racecourses across the country:

• • Ghantoot — Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club
  • Jebel Ali — Jebel Ali Racecourse
  • Sharjah — Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club
  • Abu Dhabi — Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
  • Nad Al Sheba (replaced by Meydan) — Dubai Racing Club

QUICK FACT: In October 1981, horse racing started in the Emirate of Dubai which was organised by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is when the dusty Camel Track hosted its first race meeting for Thoroughbreds.

Here are the results: Source: Gulf News

There are several types available in which different breeds of horses excel on each type.

• • Harness Racing – horses pace or trot while pulling a driver seated on a sulky or a lightweight cart. (Horse breeds: Standardbreds, Russian Trotter, French Trotter, Scandinavian coldblood trotter, and Finn Horses)
  • Flat Racing – around a straight or oval track, horses directly gallop between two points. (Horse breeds: Thoroughbred, Appaloosa, Paint, Quarter Horse, and Arabian horses)
  • Endurance Racing – horses travel across country over long distances that generally range from 40-61 km or 25-100 miles. Anything less than that qualifies as a limited distant ride. (Horse breeds: Arabian horses, Anglo-Arabian horses, Akhal-Teke, etc.)
  • Jump Racing – Horses race over obstacles. It is also known as steeplechasing, or  National Hunt Racing in Ireland and in the UK. (Horse breeds: Thoroughbred and AQPS.

The following details are examples of the available rules for horse racing and they are not limited to what are stated below:

• A rider must remain mounted on the horse and cross the finish line to complete the race.
• It is a must for jockeys to ride in a safe manner and follow the prescribed course.
• Flat races must start from the starting stalls or a starting gate.
• Jump race, steeplechase, and hurdle races must start with a starting gate or a flag which will require special permission.
• If a horse has broken away before the start of the race, a false start will be declared, if the starter considers it.
• Jockeys should ride their horses properly to the best of their ability. Disqualification and further sanctions may occur if neglected, based on the stewards opinion.

Horse racing is indeed a fascinating sport, and it’s one of the best events to witness and experience in the United Arab Emirates. Other equestrian events or activities such as polo, horseback riding, horse jumping, dressage, etc. are also some of the great things to do or become part of the spectators in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Horse Riding Guide for First Timers. 

Riding a horse is not an easy task, and it is totally understandable when first timers get terrified and with zero idea on what to do once mounted on a horse or a pony. Joining horseback riding classes is one of the best ways to overcome ‌fear and be able to control the horse with the help of a professional trainer.

9 Horseback Riding Tips for Beginners

1. Wear proper attire

The equestrian club will provide the horse for the lessons and it is recommended to have riding trousers, a helmet, boots with soles made of leather, and comfortable clothing and gloves. Get in touch with the club ahead of time to ask if they will provide the items. Otherwise, purchase these items for safety purposes and as part of the commitment to learn how to ride a horse.

2. Ride with proper posture and relax

Try to stay calm. There should be a well-established connection with the horse to be able to control its movements under one’s command. Horses can detect if something is odd with their rider. They are used to their routine and can sense something unusual about their current environment. Trusting one another is a win-win situation.

3. Be gentle with the horse

It is not unusual for first timers to try imitating what they have seen from other people riding and controlling the movements of the horse, and sometimes, it could result in a different outcome than what is expected to happen. Do not kick the horse or take any actions that could harm the equine. Instead, use the lower body to direct the horse with proper technique discussed by the trainer.

4. Take things slow

In the beginning, a student is not expected to master every skill needed to ride a horse. Spend time listening to the trainer and paying close attention to what they are teaching. Also, feel free to ask questions or call the attention of the trainer, if ever there are bothering instances while in training.

5. Establish two-way communication

Doing this activity requires more than just having great coordination with the horse but also with the trainer. A good trainer will always welcome questions from students at any level. Having conversations with the trainer while doing the training helps lessen nervousness and makes it worthwhile.

6. Stay alert

Riding a horse requires great attention; not only while mounted, but also when the trainer is providing specific instructions. It is a fun thing to do for the first time, but getting distracted once in a while could be inevitable. Stay focused on the training and at the same time, enjoy the experience.

7. Ideal horse for first timers

It is always better to start riding a 10 year-old horse because they have been well trained and of a stable and quiet character compared to younger horses that have the tendency to have more temperament issues. The equestrian club will always provide first timers with a trained horse or pony for a better riding experience and to avoid any possible accidents caused by less experienced young horses.

8. Fuel up!

Although the training can only take less than an hour every session, it is important to have a nice and nutritious meal before that. Also, stay hydrated. It may not seem like a tiring activity, but it is especially if it is sunny. Also, it requires balancing, which involves certain muscle groups; it is like working out while seated.

9. Set horse riding goals

Keeping track of progress and continuously making improvements during training will have great results for both short term and long term goals for horse riding. Setting goals and sharing them with the trainer can help speed up the training and go in the right direction and phase based on them.

Horseback Riding for Groups

Horseback riding can be a great hobby and a great bonding experience with friends, family, and even colleagues. Horse riding lessons can be done by group and it is one of the fun and educational ways to add more highlights to family vacations and trips outside the city with friends or colleagues to relieve stress from work and try something new.

Learning how to ride a horse is one of the prerequisites to learning how to play equestrian polo. This is a great opportunity to showcase horse riding skills and control over the horse’s movements. Moreover, learning how to play polo is a level-up experience of riding a horse that will truly test a rider’s ability to balance while chasing and attempting to hit the ball using a long mallet.

Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club is an equestrian club providing horse riding classes in Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. For more information, use the following contact details:

• Phone: +971 24474444

• Email: info@grpc.ae

• Contact form: Contact Us page

Are you looking for other fun activities for your children? Check if you would consider them learning how to play equestrian polo as an option. Although for some parents, it is a bit scary to imagine them riding horses, it is great to consider the experience and the discipline that your children would get from learning this sport.

WHAT IS POLO

Polo is a traditional field sport played by many for centuries. It grew out of the ancient Middle East and spread throughout Europe as it was a favored sport for training members of the military. In fact, King Edward III from England established rules for polo in order to set standards for training soldiers. Polo is similar to hockey on horseback and incorporates elements of soccer, basketball and baseball with horses, riders, and mallets.

FIND A CLUB TO JOIN IN

If you’re looking for a place your kids can learn how to play polo, there are clubs available all over the world. Clubs can be found in many countries, including England, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and also in the United Arab Emirates. You can also find them on social media (Facebook and Instagram) and forums like Redditors who post about their experiences playing polo as a kid.

Once you have found some clubs near your area and have contacted them about joining their team of kids learning how to play polo for beginners – what should you look for when deciding which one is best suited for your child? One thing that will make all the difference between having fun while learning how to ride horses or dreading every moment on horseback is finding a club that promotes good values such as discipline, respectability towards others and safety measures during games/practices (i.e., helmets). Additionally, consider affordability and depending on where in the world you live.

FIND A MENTOR AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE

The most important thing to remember when learning polo is that you need a great mentor. The right person can make all the difference in your children’s gameplay, and if they are lucky enough to have someone who knows what they’re doing and guides them through the first steps on the field, it will be much easier to improve at a rapid pace.

You should also make sure that this person has experience teaching beginners and other people who want to learn polo but don’t know where to start. They should be willing and able to give helpful advice about how best for them, teach others how to play polo properly as well as how long it takes for someone new to learn this sport well until they reach an acceptable level of proficiency.

Lastly, ask the mentor questions about techniques or any noticeable weaknesses during practice sessions or games so that you as a parent can work together with the mentor on communicating those things to your children, after the sessions.

We hope these tips will help you and your children get into polo, the sport of the kings and queens. As a matter of fact, most of the polo clubs offer learning sessions for adults as well. It is a wonderful way to bond with your kids and spend time together as a family. If you want to learn more about polo lessons for your kids or other equestrian sports for beginners, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@grpc.ae.

Ghantoot Polo Team wins the Pink Polo Festival Cup

The Ghantoot A team won the title of the “Pink Polo” Festival, which was organized by the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club at the Sheikh Zayed Main Stadium, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the club’s president, after defeating the Ghantoot B team. With a score of 8/6, after an even match that heralded a busy season for the club, the stronghold of the Emirati polo.

And led by Ghantoot / A / to the Golden Cup, Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the list included Abdullah bin Dasmal, Faris Al Yabhouni and Maxi Malaklaz, while the list of Ghantoot / B team included Sheikha Alia bint Marwan Al Maktoum, Fahd Al Qubaisi, and Ahmed Ali Al Nuaimi Majil Daily, and the match was refereed by the national team consisting of Nasser Al Shamsi and Youssef Bin Dasmal.

The end of the festival witnessed the presentation of many entertainment programs with the participation of the Abu Dhabi Police General Command (the Musical Band), the Traffic and Patrols Directorate, as well as the launch of pink balloons and the participation of many performance teams that the audience enjoyed.

At the end of the “Pink Festival”, Sheikh Sultan bin Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikha Aisha bint Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, accompanied by HE Saeed bin Hofan Al Mansouri, Vice President of the Club, HE Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Sheikh, Executive Director of the club and a number of diplomatic corps accredited to the state The two teams were crowned, and free prizes were drawn, with which the large audience interacted.

Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, leader of the Ghantoot A/Golden Polo Team, expressed her happiness at the positive participation in the closing celebration of the pink month of October, which was organized by the Ghantoot Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, amid a distinguished presence and participation Wonderful translated health awareness with the aim of promoting awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early screening, and its role in saving the lives of many members of society.

The star of the Ghantoot Polo Club, Abdullah bin Dasmal, said that the “Pink Polo” humanitarian charity festival, which was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, achieved the desired goal as an awareness message that the club is keen to organize annually. The match also represented a good opportunity for further preparation for the new season.

Ghantoot claimed the IFZA Gold Cup, the most prestigious polo tournament in Asia and the Middle East, following a 11-7 victory against UAE Polo, after and impressive comeback that saw them trailing halfway in the third chukka. From then on, and as they did in their previous games, they displayed a spectacular performance that allowed them to get a significant goal advantage, in order to secure a formidable win, and earn a very well deserved title.

Meanwhile, Bangash took the Subsidiary Bentley Cup after defeating Dubai Wolves by CAFU, in the day’s opening match. The finals of the IFZA Gold Cup were played at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. The tournament saw eight teams, up to 18 goals, compete.

GHANTOOT – ROAD TO THE FINAL

• 12-9 vs Habtoor
• 13-8 vs Bangash
• 12-10 vs IFZA Mahra
• 13-9 vs Habtoor (Semifinal)
• 11-7 vs UAE Polo (Final)

MORE DETAILS:

• GHANTOOT: Nasser Al Shamsi 1, Cesar Crespo 4 (4 goals), Pablito Llorente 6 (1), Marcos Araya 7 (6). Total: 18.
• UAE POLO: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Lukin Monteverde 3, Tomas Panelo 7 (7 goals), Guillermo Willington 7. Total: 17.
• Score Ghantoot: 1-3, 2-4, 8-4, 8-5, 11-7.
• MVP: Cesar Crespo. 
• BPP: Jota Pichot. Player: Cacu Araya.
• Tournament top scorer: Benjamín Panelo (36 goals)

BENTLEY CUP FINAL: BANGASH 10-7 DUBAI WOLVES BY CAFU

• Bangash Polo: Haider Bangash 0, Federico Von Potobsky 5, Benjamin Panelo 6 (8 goals), Jacinto Crotto 7 (2). Total: 18.
• Dubai Wolves by CAFU: Habtoor Al Habtoor 1, Kian Hall 3 (1 goal), Tommy Beresford 6 (3), Alejandro Muzzio 8 (3). Total: 18.
• Score Bangash: 2-2, 4-4, 5-5, 7-6, 10-7.

The next leg of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series will be the Dubai Challenge Cup, for teams up to 10 goals, and due through March 13-20. 

The header image is from: poloplus10.com