Today's Edition
ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA) has been celebrated as the capital’s newest cultural landmark — yet for horse riders, it represents far more than an elite academy. To them, ADREA marks an era of coming home.
Dedicated to the art of classical horsemanship, ADREA opened on Thursday as the first institution of its kind outside Europe and the fifth worldwide.
Nestled amid the mangroves of Jubail Island, it stands as a guardian of centuries-old heritage and tradition.
Its spaces — the Furūsiyya Gallery, the Equestrian Library, and The Saddle Atelier — weave together culture, education, and the spirit of horsemanship.
“ADREA is more than a school — it is a bridge between heritage and innovation, a place where tradition breathes and knowledge evolves,” said Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment and Vice President of ADREA.
Although classical horsemanship is rooted in Europe’s royal academies, its philosophical origins trace back to the Arabian Furūsiyya tradition, the ancient art of uniting training, care, wisdom, and the welfare of the horse.
“European kings refined it, but the idea began here,” Al Mazrui told a media roundtable during the preview of the academy.
“ADREA brings that cycle full circle — fusing European precision with Emirati vision, where ancient technique meets modern science,” she added.
Among those who seek to embody this vision is Noora Al Qubaisi, the academy’s first Emirati apprentice. A former endurance champion, she discovered a new calling in classical horsemanship.
“To see myself riding as a dressage rider alongside the four historic European schools is a proud moment. I’ve learned so much, and there’s much more to learn,” she told Aletihad.
For Al Qubaisi, ADREA represents a cultural rebirth. “Horsemanship has deep roots in the UAE and the Arab world. What you see here is a revival — a return to true horsemanship and its values. ADREA will mark a new era of riding in the UAE and the region, helping riders grow and carry our heritage into the future.”
The academy’s exclusive preview and royal gala brought together representatives of the four European institutions — the Spanish Riding School (Vienna), Le Cadre Noir (France), the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Spain), and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Portugal). Together with ADREA, they presented a historic performance celebrating centuries of equestrian artistry.
“It’s very emotional to see all of us together — riders who have trained in different corners of the world, now united here in Abu Dhabi,” said Gonzalo Marqués Obeso, Chief Rider of the Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts.
“For the first time, the five great schools of classical horsemanship form one circle in the arena, brought together by the same art.”
