Another Adventure Club outing. Today I’m headed to Mushrif Park, a huge (1300 acre) green space in Dubai that I have never really heard of before now. The park presents 13 models of Arabic and English houses as well as a cycle track, football fields and theatre screenings and I find that there are barbecues and picnic areas for the whole family to enjoy. I make a mental note to bring the kids here some time.
Today, however, I seek out Winners Equestrian Centre. I am going horse riding and am equal parts nervous and excited. I do trust it will be far less challenging than the Stairway to Heaven experience though. Founded in 2001, Winners is one of the oldest horse riding clubs in the UAE promoting equine sports and activities in a natural setting. It’s a good thing that they cater for all levels too, I’m not the only beginner attending today, although there is a mixed bag with a few riders from our group that look like they know their way round a horse…
There are 2 groups scheduled and I am participating in the first. I have a very lovely mild mannered horse and he waits patiently after I mount for the rest of the group to mount up also and whilst everyone gets organised. This gives us time, if we hold on tightly, to pop our phones out for a quick photo or two to capture the moment. There are smiles all around, Julia’s is one of pure joy, rather some are due to that feeling of nervous excitement.
Once again, our very dedicated Adventure Club hosts, Olga and Farhim, have done an extraordinary job arranging the day, and what’s more, they are not even going for a ride having done this type of activity previously. They busy themselves with roll calls and making sure we are all wearing helmets and are comfortable, or near enough, on our mounts.
Now whilst I have technically sat on a horse before, I would not begin to even think of myself as a rider. I don’t really know the first thing about horses. Well, I know a few things:
- if you are brave and know what you are doing you can ride a horse safely;
- they have big teeth and may not be afraid to use them;
- do not walk behind a horse (you may be kicked);
- mount and dismount from the left (no idea how I know this or the reason for this rule!);
- they like to eat carrots.
There are no carrots for the horses here right now although I wish I had thought of this earlier. Still, my horse waits patiently for the group and as we take off with no instructions, I panic slightly and indicate that I would like to be led for a bit. One of our instructors picks up the lead rope (not reins) and off we go.
There is no doubt about it, some of us are certainly more comfortable than others and this doesn’t just apply to the riders! There are a few very skittish horses. Some of the horses have not been waiting as patiently as others and when we get going, they are keen to trot off. Electra very confidently passes me by and I try to relax and copy the way the others are holding their reins.
And although I’d like to go galloping off through the countryside (I have a very romantic image from Outlander rolling through my mind), this is not the Scottish highlands and I am not one of Jamie Fraser’s merry band.
I cling to the reins as I try to relax into the ride. We follow a fence line through a car park and then the trail leads off through the sandy scrub. Most of the horses have settled down now and they walk along rhythmically, their hoofs thudding on the ground, kicking up little clouds of sand with each step. I listen to the rest of the surroundings, there is an equal amount of friendly chatter from the group as well as the birds. The light breeze in the brush plays with the leaves but is not fierce enough to dissipate the dust that lingers in the air.
After a while the instructor lets go of the lead and I’m on my own. My horse finds his own pace and I hold on, squeezing my knees to his side a little. It is a hot day and some of the horses are sweating by now, others seem fine. This comes down to their breed with the Arabian breeds better suited to the heat and humidity while the others much less so. They all know their way along the track and need little encouragement. We are told that they would find their way home, even with no one leading as they walk this track at least every day.
It is pleasant being outside in the big outdoors. There are not too many places in Dubai where your eyes can settle on the horizon without incorporating the views of many high rise buildings. The natural surroundings here feels soothing and I loosen a little in the saddle as I take in the landscape.
By now the horses are feeling the heat (largely because they are doing most of the work). It is slightly overcast with only a light breeze and those less suited to this environment seem to be getting weary. Perhaps they are just bored of the slow beginners pace as some of the more experience riders forge ahead.
The ride lasts for an enjoyable 45 minutes before we find ourselves at the end of our loop. Dust lingers in the air behind the line that winds its way back to dismount. The next group wait expectantly as the horses and helmets are reallocated.
I watch the next group mount up and wait for them to take off. The horses seem to have recovered quickly and they take off again up the slight incline until they are out of sight, the dust once again lingering as the only evidence of the path they have taken.
As I turn my car back towards the city, my eyes linger for just a little on the unbroken line of trees on the horizon before the high rises once again encroach.
Good To Know
There are smiles all round from those of us that have completed the ride. For many it has been a first encounter with these beautiful creatures. Most horses have a natural fight or flight response to danger. Due to a mixture of breeding and training, most horses used to being ridden, particularly in a riding school, will be rather docile when it comes to a lesson or trail ride. Nevertheless, some horses are bred for agility and speed and will be eager to get going.
Never overestimate your riding abilities. Horses are instinctive creatures and will sense how relaxed or tense you may be. Despite riding schools having good reputations at allocating horses based on experience, your horse can only be well matched to you if you are honest about your level of competency.
Horses are large animals and can be dangerous, even when well bred and trained, if not handled properly.
Would I Return?
Yes. This was a very enjoyable experience and I would certainly return for another ride. Perhaps I might find myself galloping through the countryside at some point in time after all.
