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Bahrain’s National Special Olympic Equestrian team members are galloping ahead with preparations for an upcoming competition with the aim of jumping to victory and securing a place in the squad taking part in the next global showpiece.
Special needs athletes Ahmed Mohamed Sheikh, 28, Isa Ahmed Albanna, 34, Komail Almoqahwi, 25, Mohamed Ahmed Marei, 29, and Nayla Hamad Alaathem, 17, are training twice-weekly at the Ministry of Interior Stables in Budaiya in readiness for a November challenge against able-bodied riders.
Under the guidance of head coach Sayed Adnan Hussain and assistant coach Basel AlJabal, the squad has already succeeded in notching several individual gold, silver and bronze medals at international championships at home and away, in far-flung places such as China, Greece and the US.
Last year, Sheikh and his teammate Almoqahwi both won gold in the team relay in the Summer Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles.
AlJabal, owner of AlJabal Stables in Budaiya, said: “I’m so proud of each and every one of these riders and their accomplishments.
“I joined the Special Olympics squad because like Sayed Adnan, I wanted to help make their championship dreams come true and help them achieve their sporting goals.
“They all train hard and have fun at the same time. They are connected with their horses and they have come so far in their training.
“While the competition format is different between the abled and disabled, we teach them how to ride the same way we would anybody-else and that they should treat the sport like every true rider should. They are no different and we don’t want them to ever feel different.
“It’s good for the members of the squad to compete in tournaments in Bahrain because these provide great practice. The repetition of movements and consistency of competing keeps them sharp and helps them get ready for the Summer World Games which will be in 2019.
“They are amazing young men and women and they will always be winners in my eyes.”
During last week’s two-hour training session, AlJabal concentrated on lessons focused on control in the ring. He prepared them for tournament challenges ahead, such as walk and working trails, dressage, relays, English Equitation and other events.
He said: “I teach them how to manoeuvre the horse in a ring around coloured blocks and in different trails such as in a zigzag formation or in a L-shaped, V-shaped or W-shaped pathway.
“We also teach them how to ride the English way in terms of sitting upright in the saddle and how to ride into a competition with determination and passion. It really is all about execution. Judges look at a rider’s balance, use of aids, ability to follow directions, etiquette and safety as well as sportsmanlike conduct.”
For the Special Olympics, it is the coach’s responsibility to choose an event appropriate to each athlete’s skill set as each member rides at a different level.
For example, Sheikh, who works at The Sultan Centre retail outlet, has dwarfism and rides at a BI level which means he can walk, trot and jog with the horse independently and can perform any required task asked of him.
Marei, who has Down’s syndrome and works at McDonald’s in Sanad, competes at a CI level which means he can only ride in the walk.
AlJabal said: “Thanks to the Ministry of Interior, our riders are provided a weekly slotted training schedule. We are thankful for their support.
“As the competition nears, these athletes will be training four-times-a-week, which is something they always look forward to.”
Marei’s sister, Sara Ahmed, 20, enjoys driving him to the stables from their home in Isa Town and watching him train. The Al Ahlia University banking and finance student said: “Mohamed’s personality has changed since he started riding. He is much calmer and more confident.
“We are all very proud of him and we thank the coaches for sharing their love for horse riding with Mohamed.”
