United Arab Emirates

Photo from the Medieval Albanian Trails (Albania) ride.

The United Arab Emirates is situated on the south-eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, and borders Oman in the east and Saudi Arabia in the south. The UAE is a federation containing seven emirates: Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate has a monarch, and one of the monarchs is selected as the President of the United Arab Emirates.

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The UAE has a vast coast which stretches for more than 650km along the southern shore of the Persian Gulf. Much of the coast consists of salt pans which stretch inland for many miles. Abu Dhabi is is situated approximately halfway along the coastline and to the south and west of this capital there are vast, rolling sand dunes which merge into the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia. This desert area contains two important oases which provide water for permanent settlements and cultivation of crops such as dates.

When thinking of the UAE in relation to horses, it is common to concentrate on Dubai and the thoroughbred racing industry made famous by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his Godolphin Racing operation. The Dubai World Cup horse race which was launched in 1996, has a purse of USD 10 million, and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. However, the Arabian horse is as much a part of the Arab tradition within the UAE as the camel or falcon and purebred Arabians are both raced in the UAE and overseas. The emirates also excel at endurance riding on a global scale and Arabian horses are famed for this. There are some 2,000 active endurance horses and c. 87 racing stables registered by the Emirates Equestrian Federation - compare this to France who have only 800 such horses and the popularity becomes obvious.

Local UAE riders describe the Arabian horse as "drinkers of the wind" and you'll discover their beauty and suitability whilst traversing these remote deserts on horseback.

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