Horses in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the horse is an integral part of both culture and sport. The country has become a major force in competitive riding, particularly show jumping, thanks to riders like Abdullah al-Sharbatly, who have won several Olympic medals since the beginning of the 21st century.

Horse in Saudi Arabia
Saudi horserider Ramzy Al-Duhami rides Al Capone

History
A petroglyph in Jubbah (from circa 1500 BCE) depicting two horses pulling wheeled carts

What appear to be bridle marks discovered in 2011 on a depiction of an equine saw the birth of a theory of horse domestication around 7,000 BC near Abha in the province of Asir.[1] According to Saudi archaeologists, the al-Maqar civilization was highly advanced during the Neolithic period, notably in its craftsmanship and artistic representations, including a metre-high bust of an equine.[2][3] This discovery, which has been widely publicized but given little credence by specialists, requires further serious study.

Investments

The Saudi royal family is particularly active in horse racing.[4] In 2009, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to invest $500 million to build up a national show jumping team.[5] In early 2012, in preparation for the Olympic Games in London, the kingdom purchased world-class show jumping horses.[6]

Culture
A Saudi woman riding a horse at Souk Okaz, a yearly cultural festival in the outskirts of Taif

Horses are considered respectable in Saudi Arabia, and any public mistreatment of this animal arouses indignation.[7] On the other hand, women's access to horse riding is highly restricted: they can only practice the sport within the confines of an equestrian center. In September 2014, a woman defied this law by riding on the outskirts of Mecca.[8] Although a Saudi woman rider took part in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, the country was nabbed for non-compliance with the Olympic Charter.[9]

In June 2013, the Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh denounced horse statues in the southern province of Jizan as idolatrous. They were then removed or destroyed.[10]

Controversies

Like its neighbors in the Middle East (Dubai and Qatar), Saudi Arabia has been the subject of controversy on the international equestrian scene due to doping scandals.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Une civilisation vieille de 9 000 ans exhumée en Arabie saoudite". La Croix (in French). 2011.
  2. "Saudis 'find evidence of early horse domestication'". BBC News. 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  3. "Arabie : découverte des traces d'une civilisation vieille de 9 000 ans". RTBF infos (in French). 2011.
  4. "建站成功". euroceles.com. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  5. "London 2012 Olympics : anger in equestrian ranks as Britain loses three top medal hopes to rivals teams". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  6. "JO : l'Arabie Saoudite a peut-être acheté ses chevaux pour rien". L'Obs (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  7. "La vidéo d'un cheval assommé à coups de bâton scandalise l'Arabie Saoudite (vidéo)". sudinfo.be (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  8. "Des internautes saoudiens à la recherche d'une mystérieuse cavalière". Franceinfo. 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  9. "Home". Cavadeos. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  10. "Horse statues demolished in Jazan". Arab News. 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
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