GALLOPS OF ORIENTAL HORSES

For many years in Europe, we have been very used to following so-called breeding competitions at different levels for which the horses get trained to compete with their model in step and trotting, classic mounted events are sometimes on the program, but are not always viewed by a large audience, in order to overcome this deficiency, endurance has assumed a significant role in making generous horses under saddle so special. Not so long ago, equestrian enthusiasts very involved in equestrian sports, mainly polo, dreamed of an equestrian competition based on the principle of a relay race of the Paris Dakar kind, taking place somewhere in the country of origin of the Arabian horse or his derivatives, these were events providing a novelty by uncovering desert landscapes, mixing dunes and sands in different colours depending on the time of day. Teams should be composed of at least five riders with good riding skills with a team leader, horses got generally provided by local authorities, and the groups got united in the hope of victory after five days of distances varying from 30 to 40 kilometres, spread over two hundred kilometres of riding or running next to their horse, not having to gallop on rocky terrain, with an obligation to cross the finish line together. Each rider must ensure the safety of their horse; veterinarians controled the physical condition of the horse at each stop with a rest time of 15 minutes, the heart rate at 64-minute pulses, and the absence of a gearbox to continue on the adventure according to the same rules of usual endurance contests. Through these orientation and regularity races, which do not ignore some penalties concerning the general regulations, each competition tests the riders' abilities in an unfamiliar environment that must not be soiled. And everyone on the team must stay the team spirit by supporting the rest of his teammates in the vast desert, sometimes meeting bedouins still living there. Therefore, this was indeed an international event, whose first edition took place in 2014 in the Sultanate of Oman, followeing Kingdom of Morocco in 2018, India in 2019, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 2021, and Tunisia in November 2022. In the present day, when Arabian horses get overproduced across the globe, this is a great creation that is only available to those riders who cannot compete in official endurance competitions, those will undoubtedly have time for a new sport occupation that will quickly gain popularity, even in Europe, breeders in overproduction will find a viable commercial outlet. Although the financial costs should not be hidden for every participant who cannot be all, the strong points of the event include the hospitality at each exceptional stop, the care for the participants in the ephemeral villages, and of course the photo contest program, which reflects the spirit of this amazing event. Gallops 2014- Sultanate of Oman "Pearl of Happy Arabia" 17 to February 21, 2014 His Majesty Sultan Qabous al-Said wanted to sponsor this first event involving an Omanaise national team, the Royal Cavalry that won the Golden Trophy. Teams: Al Adiyat - Al Safinat - Sur - Valhoria - Pitou Djan - Salalah - Front line - Nizwa Les Pirates - Les Riffiants - La Rouvraie - Lawrence - Khasab - L'Eperon - Jardy Riders Jazda - Hidalgo - Ibri - Chti Gallops - Hecla sewing - Blue Gallah - Nature Horse Stops: Al Rakah - Tawi Wareed - Tawi Kazeemah - Al Tahayem - Qihayd Gallops 2018 - The Kingdom of Morocco "Country of Traditions" February 25 to March 4, 2018 With the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI The competition got held for six days in the Moroccan desert of Merzouga, one of the settings of some of the most iconic Hollywood movies, including *Sahara, *The Mummy, and *Queen of the Desert, while the landscapes awed the participants, they had to endure the harsh rigours of the desert while riding mainly barb horses and arab-barbs provided by the Moroccan National Stud farms administration,due to sand storms, the competition was quite difficult and full of vertiginous adrenaline. Teams: Amane - Blue Ghallah - Bucephal - Discovery Polo Association - Henson - Jehols - Les Ch'tis - Polo Club de Chantilly - Quazane - Royal Cavalry of Oman - Sorec 1 - Sorec 2 Tchapandaz - Team Ireland - The Flying Dutch German - Xaluca Gallops 2019 - India March 2 to March 8, 2019 In the eternal Rajhastan region, a total change of scenery for all the competitors riding Marwaris horses with incredible curved ears, participants got majestically welcomed in former Maharajah era palaces. Gallops 2021 - Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan October 23 to 30, 2021 Under the Presidency of H.r.h Princess Alia Al Hussein One hundred and thirty riders were fascinated to see the desert of Wadi Rum with its Desert Patrol in traditional costume, a place reminiscent of the story of Lawrence of Arabia, as the expedition followed the discovery of the lost city Nabateene of Petra, considered a world heritage site. The unique natural beauty of the country, as well as the warm welcome of HRH Princess Alia al-Hussein who was very active in horse breeding around the globe and established a Foundation for the Animal World, made this expedition one of the most engaging ever undertaken. Gallops 2022 - Republic of Tunisia November 12 to 19, 2022 *for more informations and particip