The Dubai skyline lined the background and cloudy skies dominated when I was able to ride my horse for the first time, along the pristine Pearl Jumeirah beach – and you can too.
In an ultimate opportunity to make the most of this winter, the people of Dubai have the chance to live out their Hollywood fantasy with beach riding sessions. Provided by Aayan Equestrian Club, UAE residents and tourists have the opportunity to interact with and ride professionally trained horses.
Gulf News got to experience one of the new attractions Dubai has to offer and I and our senior visual reporter went to Pearl Jumeirah to try horse riding – something I had never done before.
As a newbie to riding I was a little nervous on entry but the groomers on site are trained to make sure everyone is comfortable. You don’t need to have any previous riding training or know the lingo.
Emmanuel Eze, horse groomer at Aayan Equestrian Club, said: “People who have experience in riding love to come here, but we also welcome people without experience every day. There is nothing to worry about, it’s quite simple and our horses are very well trained.
You don’t need any prior training to test the activity, equestrian trainers will guide you.
Image credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
Meeting with Romeo and Falah
Two horses, Romeo and my namesake, Falah, trotted around, waiting for us. Patting them on the head and admiring their grace and beauty made the experience even more enjoyable.
Then Eze and his colleagues quickly briefed us on the different parts of the saddle. I had a quick lesson on where the seat is, how to put my feet in the stirrup, and how to hold and move the straps to steer the horse. Eze also taught me to stop the horse and signal it to speed up.
Then I was taught to ride a horse using my body weight and it was surprisingly easy. Now I felt much more confident.
If you are a beginner, one of the groomers will accompany you, guide you and the horse, giving advice along the way – I opted for this option. It also gives you plenty of time to soak up Dubai’s stunning skyline and lagoon views.
The horse also walks in water and in my opinion feeling the gentle splashes on your feet as you ride is a must.
A horse gallops along the coast of Dubai
Image credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
If you’re feeling more adventurous, the groomer also teaches you how to run the horse.
After the ride and capturing enough Insta-perfect picture moments, the groomers help you off the horse. By then I had befriended Romeo, the horse I was riding, and the experience was surreal.
How to book a session?
Currently, Aayan Equestrian Club is accepting reservations through WhatsApp messages or people can contact them on their Instagram account. Contact details are on their website.
Each session lasts about 45 minutes and costs 300 Dh per person. Group sessions for special occasions and parties can also be arranged.
Sessions take place every day in the morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is the perfect time to soak up the scenery and snap some photos as the sunlight isn’t too harsh.
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