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Women Omani riders crowned in Morocco with first-ever vaulting feat

Eight young Omani female riders were officially crowned in Rabat on Saturday, marking the end of a two-week intensive equestrian training camp at the National Equestrian Institute of Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

RABAT : Held in a festive ceremony at the prestigious Der Salam equestrian grounds, the event brought together dignitaries, trainers, and proud families. His Excellency Khalid bin Salum Bamkhalif, Oman’s Ambassador to Morocco, presided over the closing event, where the riders showcased their progress with a live equestrian performance featuring show jumping, dressage, and synchronized riding.

The training camp, organized in collaboration with the Olympic Equestrian Training Center (OETC) in Oman and the Moroccan National Horse Institute, offered a holistic program blending practical horsemanship with theory. Under the guidance of FANIDA Chahboun, head coach at the Olympic Equestrian Training Center and a graduate of the Moroccan institute, riders received professional instruction in:

Flatwork for balance and control

Show Jumping, with detailed training on hurdles, stride calculation, and technique

Dressage, emphasizing harmony between rider and horse

Vaulting, an acrobatic discipline introduced to Omani female riders for the first time

Coach Sami, Morocco’s national vaulting coach, oversaw the vaulting sessions. The young participants, all under the age of 14, were so impressive that they are now being considered for future participation in the World Equestrian Games—potentially making them the first-ever female vaulting athletes from the Arab world.

Beyond the arena, the girls engaged in workshops covering stable management, horse nutrition, first aid, and professional development—further deepening their understanding of equine care and international sports standards.

During the closing ceremony, the Ambassador, Sayyid Chrife El Alaoui (Director of the National Horse Institute), Hamood Sultan Al Tooqi (Chairman of OETC), and Mr. Badr Fakir (DG, Royal Moroccan Equestrian Federation) presented the riders with certificates of appreciation. In their speeches, officials praised the program as a model for Arab cooperation and female empowerment in sport.

The event concluded with the exchange of symbolic gifts, including a commemorative Omani shield presented by Al Tooqi to the hosting officials, recognizing the shared commitment to promoting young female athletes in the equestrian world.

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