AT THE RAIL WITH NAGS AND WAGS: Romantic Fascination with Arabian Horses: Riding in Dubai

Street Statue Dubai Creek

Bedouins called the first Arabian horse "Drinker of the Wind" and therein started the romantic legend. Arabians have been depicted as almost mythical creatures in paintings, stories and poems for centuries. The breed believed to be the foundation stock for all hotblooded types in the world made their way to distant shores mostly by way of war. Renowned for his willingness to please humans and his small but dense skeletal strength the Arabian is valued today as an endurance, or long distance racehorse. Ironically the finest qualities maybe his undoing as he is valued largely by those participating in one of the toughest of sports.

The Arabian with all his fiery spirit, courage and high carriage is not as popular as he once was in all equitation. When I was learning to ride I was always told, 'it's not the horse's fault it's the rider's' and sadly I see where a much more agreeable natured steed has taken over the world of the performance horse, the warmblood. They are wonderful and I like to watch them with their seductive toplines and steady gates bowing to the stillness of perfect riders, but they weren't around when I was growing up. My first pony was a spirited, stubborn Welsh Mountain Pony with a mind of her own and a good pig root in her. Then came the Anglo-Arabs, crossbreeds that are probably responsible for destroying the reputation of the trustworthy and reliable purebred Arab. I believe the Arabian blood should never be mixed with any other horse because they are not of the same heart. The thoroughbred is a good example having inherited most of the nutty traits and not enough brain. Horses are great but how many can you ask to share your tent at night? The Bedouins knew what they were doing and from the end of that time the horses' journey has been pretty messed up. There are more horse wackos out there than ever before. The Arabian needs understanding more than training but everything today is training, training and trainers because it's money, money and more money, and everyone wants a big horse.

An Arabian

For my desert experience it had to be an Arabian which I didn't think would be an unusual request in an Arab country. The travel brochures and websites all claimed to have exotic Arabians which I discovered turned out to be mostly Argentinian Criollos; an obliging, well mannered horse that is tolerant and able to adjust to his rider's ability. Once sort after as talented polo ponies this stock-horse type is sealing his fate as a safe trail hack all over the world and deserves much better. None of the places I called had a purebred Arabian and I would have to settle for an Anglo Arab, unbelievable.

My brother, Paul, had the dirtiest, meanest, fastest grey Anglo Arab pony jumper when we were kids. Shazar, liked to chase people out of his paddock. He was a black skinned, smelly grey covered in scares with an attitude he had earned, and loved nothing more than to roll in mud. Fearlessness was his fortitude and having come from a station I think he must have been crossed with a Brumby (wild horse). He could go like the wind and tackled his fences at an angle you never see today, winning many pony jumper competitions. When you where on his back he never stood still, weight in the saddle for him meant go. Paul, soon reached an age where he was more interested in cars and girls that the show circuit and stuffy people. He said if I could ride his horses I could have them; and being raised in Australia with three older brothers who afforded a little sister the same status as the family cat, I said with hands on hips and a screwed up face: "I can do anything you can do better." His Australian stock-horse, appropriately named Bucky, and his prized pony jumper became my challenges. Neither horse thought of me as a threat because I was too small to get a bridle on them without standing on a bucket and they were both bad when it came to gearing up. They taught me persistence. I have never met a horse I couldn't learn from.

Shazar

Entrance of the DPEC

When I arrived at the very upscale Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club that had and endurance and a front desk with uniformed receptionist like a five-star hotel, I was impressed and knew right away why they didn't have many Arabians accept for endurance boarders. This was a show barn establishment full of expensive warmbloods: Hanoverians, Dutch Warmbloods, Holsteiners, Oldenburgs, I even spotted some of what are now call Irish warmbloods (they're the ones with the really big heads). I had asked to use the restroom before our ride and accidentally walked back into the wrong barn in the dark. Oh shit, I'm in The Hamptons upgraded 10 fold, I thought. For the first time in my life I was glad I had joddies even if i didn't have boots. They are going to think I'm a know nothing tourist because I asked for an Arabian mount.

Front Desk

Boarders' Barn

Warmbood turned out in individual shaded yard.

Plenty of training space.

If a man doesn't make a fool of you a horse will and a fiery little rich colored chestnut waited flashing the whites of his eyes in the stable lights. "Is this my ride I asked?" Expecting to see something much duller since they had no idea of my capability other than what I'd said. Riding academies always ask if you can ride and always say most people answer yes but can't. I used to ride racehorses but that was twenty years ago. Now I only throw my leg over to see if I still can when I'm on vacation. The horses have to be well fed and cared for, I don't want something I feel sorry for. This toey guy was just the right size and finally challenging enough to make me think I still had it, 'it' was in there somewhere and I would have to find it quick or look bloody silly. I never liked falling off and would do just about anything to stay on.
As Roy Rogers said: "When you're young and fall off a horse you may break something, when you're my age you splatter."

Zachuess, my ride.

Zachuess, didn't like his rider to move her hands so Amin Khan, my guide and trainer said. I found that out when I went to grab my phone from my pocket to take a picture of a burrow owl. At the end of the ride Amin said most people don't like Zachuess because he spooks. A friend had given him to the school. He didn't have any problems I wouldn't have fixed in time when I was younger, a good horse with some head issues that's all, not bad. I'll bet he can jump like stink but wouldn't like a polo mallet swung around him. I let Zachuess have his head and kept my hands low on his withers. He was gracious enough to tolerate my rusty skills for a long and vigorous sunrise dessert ride with just me and Amin, who appeared to be riding a thoroughbred. Amin sat a horse beautifully and oozed experience. He had been in the Indian army for 23 years before coming to the DPEC and I felt confident he could handle any situation.

DPEC has two penned hotwalkering machines.

Equitation, show jumping, hunter-jumper types, and dressage horses made up the majority of boarders at the DPEC which housed over 300 horses, and 56 in the academy barn. All had large, solid wall stalls I'm guessing 15x15, with air conditioning. This seemed to be standard in Dubai as the horses at Meydan had the same. There were also two international polo fields on the opposite side of the clubhouse surrounded by new exclusive homes being built. How civilized, you can watch the polo from your own balcony.

Polo lessons available

New Homes Surrounding the Fields.

I have never seen an equine complex as luxurious as the DPEC. The clubhouse is a traditional courtyard design sitting on 68 acres with its signature restaurant Palermo, overlooking the polo fields to the right. On the left is Epona Lounge, another restaurant and bar with terrace where I had a fabulous brunch viewing the riding arena. DPEC also has a Leisure and Fitness Center and can be booked for special events and dream weddings. It was recommended to me by the desk staff at The Meydan Hotel and Racecourse and I knew I couldn't go wrong. DPEC is a must see if you are visiting Dubai.

The Epona Lounge