Dreaming of the big race win

Abu Dhabi: At six feet two inches Mattar Al Yabhouni hardly has the look of a horseman.

But not only is he a keen rider but also a polo player with a one goal handicap and a passionate lover of horses.

A two time winner of the President's Cup Polo Championship in Ghantoot, Al Yabhouni is an ardent follower of all horse-related sports.

When he is not looking after his business, he is either at his stables supervising the care and progress of his horses or playing polo.

Al Yabhouni, who owns a private stable with 20 endurance horses, says the encouragement he has received from the big horse owners in the UAE has allowed small, private stables like his to stay, expand and compete on level terms.

Speaking to Gulf News yesterday on the sidelines of the Boutheib Endurance Cup for Juniors, Al Yabhouni said the horses from private stables could soon compete at the highest level as the UAE offers a level playing field.

GULF NEWS: The UAE has some of the biggest owners and riders in endurance sport so how does a private stable like yours compete?

Al Yabhouni: Up to about two years ago it was really difficult. But once all the three major endurance venues announced rides open only to private stables and single owners, things have rapidly changed. We have won some of these exclusive rides and this has given us the confidence to go further.

What are the challenges that private stables face in endurance sport?

One of the biggest problems for us is we don't find enough horses here. And shipping them from abroad is very expensive. We have to pay almost US$ 10,000 to ship a horse from South America. So to constantly acquire new horses is not easy.

What are the challenges during open competitions?

The speed is certainly a big factor. The UAE has some of the world's best trainers, stables and riders. Every season we see new records being created. For private stables like us it is a huge challenge to match these speeds.

What about the progress of horses within the private stables?

Thanks to the support of the Shaikhs in organising rides for Private Stables, we are now gaining in confidence. Our riders and horses are beginning to improve and we are also registering speeds of about 23 to 24 kmph which is good.

Over the last two years there has been tremendous improvement from riders and horses belonging to private and smaller stables.

Do you have any goal in mind in endurance?

Last year Dynamite, a locally-bred horse, won a Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians. It would be great if one of our horses go on to win one of the big rides in the UAE.

Do you think that is possible?

The UAE attracts a huge international line-up of riders and it is a very even playing field here.

We are willing to challenge and compete against the best but more important we are enjoying the sport.

Over the last two years there has been tremendous improvement from riders and horses belonging to private and smaller stables."

Mattar Al Yabhouni

Stable owner