RIYADH: Saudi horse rider Noura Al-Jabr embarked on her equestrian journey at the age of just 9. She has honed her skills over the years in various disciplines such as archery, tent pegging, fencing, and other heritage pursuits deeply rooted in the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Jabr’s equestrian journey began when her mother recognized her passion for horses and horse riding. She enrolled Al-Jabr in special centers at a young age and, from there, she learned the art of taming and caring for horses, eventually refining her skills to master archery, tent pegging, and fencing while on horseback.
Al-Jabr’s dedication and hard work paid off as she actively participated in training programs supported by the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation. These were aimed at producing skilled Saudi horse trainers.
Al-Jabr’s exceptional journey led to her becoming the first certified mounted archery trainer in the Kingdom. She also obtained certification as a tent-pegging trainer.
She now organizes training sessions in which she imparts her expertise to horsemen and horsewomen, teaching them sports like archery and tent pegging while riding their horses. These sessions have gained significant popularity, particularly among women.
Thanks to her unwavering passion and self-confidence, Al-Jabr has ventured beyond the borders of the Kingdom to compete in these demanding sports.
She has showcased her skills on the international stage, notably at the championship in Petra in Jordan where she proudly represented Saudi Arabia as the first female horsewoman in tent pegging. Her exceptional performance earned her high rankings.
Al-Jabr has also captivated audiences with her live shows locally, in which she has demonstrated her range of equestrian arts and skills.
Her remarkable displays have been seen at prestigious events such as the International Championship for Purebred Arabian Horses (Kahila) in Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, the Safari Festival in Abqaiq, and the Raml & Smr Festival in Alkhobar, among others.
Al-Jabr, speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, said: “I, along with my equestrian associates, are working hard to revive this ancient heritage and consolidate the Arab identity.
“I love to show my skills in equestrian sports and archery. I feel pride and a sense of belonging to my land and my Arab identity, as these sports are a source of honor, pride and authenticity.
“I seek to develop myself further in the equestrian field, and I am always keen to appear in the traditional costume that suits the beauty of Arab horses, the environment of the Arabian Peninsula and its authentic history.”
