Bratislava: Emirati endurance rider Nasreen Khasro Ali Khalid believes the UAE ladies team is making significant strides in the sport and is confident that Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi can illustrate that point when she competes in the FEI World Championships for Young Horses at Samorin, Slovakia, this weekend.
Afra is the only woman rider representing the UAE in Friday’s 120km event, having met the qualification standard for the ride that has attracted riders and horses from all across Europe.
Nasreen, a veteran of more than 100 endurance rides, asserts that Emirati women have the ability, temperament and hunger to be successful in the sport thanks to the support they have been receiving.
“When it comes to horses, there is no gender bias. We love horses as much as men and I think that we have made noteworthy strides in recent years,” she told Gulf News here. “Perhaps we have yet to reach the highest level, but we’re getting there.”
The future looks bright according to Nasreen, who — along with Aisha Al Rumaithi, Reem Shaban Ebrahim Hassan, Shathra Ahmad Al Hajaj, Maysa Ahmad Hasan Al Brajki, Alia Kazim Al Kafajy and Aya Abdullah Reda Ishaq — is part of the talented UAE team being supported by the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival.
“We have been given all the opportunities to gain experience and confidence thanks to...Shaikh Mansour and the Al Wathba Stud. It is now our turn to repay the UAE by being successful,” she said.
“We have been very fortunate to travel around the world competing in different rides and in all kinds of conditions. It has been a learning experience, which prepares you for the bigger challenges.
“When you have this level of support, it enhances your determination and I think I speak for all the girls when I say that I am proud to be part of this team of riders.”
Nasreen, who is also a keen cyclist and sky-diver, says that the person she looks up to is His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“His Highness taught me one very important thing — you’ve got to love your horse before you think about winning,” she said. “He taught me how to communicate with my horse and said that committing our skill and ambition is one thing, but that connecting with the horse was more important.
“The next most important thing was to believe in oneself. Without self-belief, success is not achievable.”
Nasreen says that her ambition is to win the World Championship.
“It’s been a long dream, but first I will target the Ladies’ World Championship and then aim at the Open event,” she said confidently. “I think it is not impossible.”
