Abu Dhabi: For Dutch lass Cindy Klinkenberg, being at the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship title race, is an opportunity of a lifetime and she is keen to make the most.
Klinkenberg confirmed her ticket to Abu Dhabi’s grand finale after her win in Australia but her pursuit started long back at school-going age of 10. Now at 30, she has come a long way but each day is a struggle.
“It is a difficult sport back home to get going. There are many lady jockeys but it is difficult to get a ride. When you are starting off obviously you are not that good. The trainers lack confidence on you even if the horse is good. You really need to have people who are keen to give upcoming jockeys a chance,” says Klinkenberg, who rode race favourite Warrawee Naaziq to finish first in a close battle in Australia.
She doesn’t have the luxury of a full-time jockey and as an amateur, following her passion is a struggle.
“Seven Days a week, I ride out horses in the morning for six hours and in the afternoon to late in the evening I work at a restaurant. I’m very happy to do that so long as I don’t miss out on my rides every single day,” says Klinkenberg, adding that it is the passion for racing that keeps her going.
“I like the speed and racing. I like to train and it has just become a part of my life. I like to ride with my trainer every day. I’m fortunate enough to meet new people and visit new countries because of racing. I want to keep doing that,” says Klinkenberg, who wants to keep going for at least two more years before deciding on her future.
“I don’t think I’m going to be a pro but I like it the way it is now. I can ride all over the world because of [the] Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship. I still can’t believe I’m here. My dream was to be here in Abu Dhabi, to be in Australia and win there,” explains Klinkenberg, who was upbeat despite not having a favourite horse for tomorrow’s race. “I will give my best. I hope I get another chance to visit another country and perform there and try to be here next year.”
Like Klinkenberg, apprentice jockey Esther Weissmeier is also indebted to this Arabian racing initiative. She will be leading the challenge in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak (IFHRA) Apprentice Jockey Championship on Ameer Al Reef trained by Abdullah Al Hammadi.
“I’m happy that I can ride here. I have never been to Abu Dhabi before but unlike other girls, I’m a bit fortunate as I do have a racing background,” says Weissmeier, whose whole family is into horse racing.
“My mother is a trainer, my father is owner manager and both my brothers are jockeys. I’m the youngest and I’m also into it for a while now after starting on ponies at the beginning. My success in Germany has made things a bit easy for me. The acceptance is there and everybody around is very warm,” says Weissmeier, who has 51 wins from 537 rides.
