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French rider Coralie Viroulaud competed fiercely against local favorite Reem Salem In Riyadh’s inaugural ‘Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival’.
While the focus of many in the horse racing world will be on the $20 million Saudi Cup this Saturday, I find myself next door for a different kind of race – a camel race. And not just any camel race, but the C1 Championships, the UAE’s inaugural all-women’s camel race series.
The race, part of the esteemed “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival,” showcased the prowess of female jockeys who are breaking barriers and defying stereotypes in the male-dominated sport of camel racing. Among the participants were Coralie Viroulaud, Reem Salem, and Linda Krockenberger, representing the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC) in Dubai, where they honed their skills for this historic competition.
Fancy learning to ride a camel in the UN-designated Year of the Camelids? Ask Linda Krockenberger who runs the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre, a school dedicated to camel riding and handling.
Giddy up, if you have always wanted to learn to ride a camel in Dubai, now you can.
Dubai is now home to its first officially licensed camel school where visitors can try their hand at mastering the art of camel riding.
Coralie Virauloud in portrait with our sponsor Jeep Trading Enterprises.
Wie Frauen in Dubai mit dem Traditionssport der Aufstieg gelingt
Linda Krockenberger’s quest for a recreational pursuit saw her become a jockey and trainer
Anjana Kumar
The final event of the 2022/2023 season, held at the Al Marmoom track, attracted enthusiasts from across the Gulf
All photos by EPA
The camel training track in the area referred to as Grayteesah, just off the Dubai Al Ain Road, is mesmerising. In the morning, there are plenty of camels out training and I love watching them. I listen to the chatter of the trainers as they pass each other on the track and can’t help but feel a sense of calm as I observe the scene. For a bit more action, I head down to the actual racetrack. On some days of the week, it is the site of trial races, usually for the younger camels. I take the Saih Al Salam Road towards Al Qudra on my way back and admire the dunes dotted with ghaf trees. And I make sure to stop at the Iranian bakery in Al Lisaili for some fresh bread stuffed with cream cheese and honey, paired with a hot karak tea.
– Linda Krockenberger
While the focus of many in the horse racing world will be on the $20 million Saudi Cup this Saturday, I find myself next door for a different kind of race – a camel race. And not just any camel race, but the C1 Championships, the UAE’s inaugural all-women’s camel race series.
The race, part of the esteemed “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival,” showcased the prowess of female jockeys who are breaking barriers and defying stereotypes in the male-dominated sport of camel racing. Among the participants were Coralie Viroulaud, Reem Salem, and Linda Krockenberger, representing the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC) in Dubai, where they honed their skills for this historic competition.
Fancy learning to ride a camel in the UN-designated Year of the Camelids? Ask Linda Krockenberger who runs the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre, a school dedicated to camel riding and handling.
Giddy up, if you have always wanted to learn to ride a camel in Dubai, now you can.
Dubai is now home to its first officially licensed camel school where visitors can try their hand at mastering the art of camel riding.
Coralie Virauloud in portrait with our sponsor Jeep Trading Enterprises.
Wie Frauen in Dubai mit dem Traditionssport der Aufstieg gelingt
Linda Krockenberger’s quest for a recreational pursuit saw her become a jockey and trainer
Anjana Kumar
The final event of the 2022/2023 season, held at the Al Marmoom track, attracted enthusiasts from across the Gulf
All photos by EPA
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