I may be relocating to Abu Dhabi, UAE. Is anyone familiar with this equestrian club? Or riding experiences in Abu Dhabi in general? If so, I have lots of questions.
Thanks for any information!
Hi,
Why are you relocating to UAE? Just curious. I checked out the website for the club and was very impressed. Even the barns are air conditioned. I guess they have to be when it is 120 degrees in the daytime. Beautiful place, I sure would like to know what they charge to board your horse there.
What’s your discipline? If you’re a show jumper or dressage rider, you will love it! If you’re a hunter rider, consider converting because they don’t exist over there. I was born and raised in Dubai, but showed in Abu Dhabi frequently. The care at all the Emirates’ equestrian centers is world class and most trainers are either BHS I or AIs with some European trainers here and there. I don’t know who the trainers are at the Abu Dhabi center right now and couldn’t find that on the site. It’s a wonderful lifestyle and people are for the most part friendly and laid back.
As far as board costs, they are generally very reasonable and about 1/2 or less than what you’d expect to pay for a facility like that stateside. I haven’t boarded there in forever so I’m sure it’s more now, but my board at the time was $250/month!
Shows are every weekend during the season (obv not summer) in one of the Emirates, so you’ll be visiting Dubai, Um Al Quwain, Sharjah and the yacht club at Jebal Ali. They’re usually well run and a lot of fun with a variety of classes instead of the same old “watch the paint dry” cookie cutter classes. There will be Ride & Drives, pairs classes, Puissance classes and slaloms. At least once a year you’ll have some of the worlds top riders show up for the big show in Dubai so make time to get to that one! The competition is friendly and you’ll probably find most people genuinely wishing you good luck or complimenting a good ride. Once you’re done showing, definitely take advantage of whatever facilities the venue has (pools, beach, shopping, whatever!). I miss it tons, very jealous right now. 
Thanks CoolMeadows. It all sounds great. I have been travelling over there quite a bit this year but I have never gotten to the AD Equestrian Club — it is on my to do list. I am a dressage and eventing rider so it sounds like it would work out well. I have been sort of hesitant about potentially shipping my horse. I am not sure that he would enjoy the trip or the climate. Do people still ride in the off season – I assume that there is an air conditioned indoor? What about turnout over there — does such a thing even exist? And hay? They must ship in a ton of it!
msrobin, my company has a contract/partnership with the Abu Dhabi environment agency.
my neighbor is over there and has been there for 2 years and she loves it. shes working at some big school over there for special needs children. she specializes in autistic kids.
This is what I love about COTH. Whatever you need to know or wherever you need to go - someone has been there and done it and can give tons of info! What a diverse group of horsepeople we have here!
Yip
PM citydog and see if she can offer any insight. :yes:
I have actually seen them post when I was looking for postions on yardandgroom. Sounds like it could be fun.
Be very careful in your choice of stable if you are an endurance rider, or ride as a ‘jockey’ for an endurance stable.
I expect that there are good and bad trainers/stables in the dressage/jumping disciplines - just that we don’t hear about them yet.
This thread is 5 years old 
Wish the OP would come back and tell us what happened!
Perhaps she’s left Abu Dhabi already…
