JEDDAH, 12 July — Saudi equine rider Tarek Abdulhadi Taher is all set to take part in four major international events during the rest of the year.
The first is Debol Championship (Spain, 130 km) in which he will participate with his horse ‘Jalmoud’ on July 20. This will be followed by the World Championship (160 km), also in Spain, on horse ‘Java’ on Sept. 16; Monte Cuq Championship in France (200 km x 2 days) on ‘Al Redo’ in October and the Barcelona Championship in Spain (200 km x 2 days) in November.
Announcing his readiness to participate in the upcoming championships, Tarek told a press conference at Crowne Plaza Hotel here recently: “A lot of hard work has gone into preparations for the upcoming events, but I’ve enjoyed every bit of it and am confident of performing well.”
It was only a few years ago that the equine rider became the first non-European to qualify for the World Cup for endurance. Riding his horse “Lizazat,” he emerged sixth in the overall ranking at the 1997 European Endurance Championship held at Pratoni del Vivaro, Rome.
Tarek, president and chief executive officer of the Taher Group of Companies and a leading Jeddah-based dealer in custom-made luxury cars, is captain of Almughirat team comprising horses and knights to compete in international and local endurance races as well as in local show jumping championships. The team includes Omar Mahmoud Al-Maeena and Ahmed Taha, both excelling in endurance and show jumping, and trainers - Sarah Zoria, Sonia and Gelim.
Tarek said the team’s objective was to participate in endurance races. Its tasks also include training horses for endurance races in accordance with their grades — preliminary, medium and international — as per their ages and experiences; maintaining the breeds of Arabian horses of noble origin, including the historic Al Fath Al-Islami breeds; participating in show jumping competitions within the Kingdom and overseas; and showcasing the beauty of Arabian horses. Some of the team’s horses have already won accolades and topped at local horse beauty championships adjudged by international referees. Some such horses are: Al Ra’ed, Qassam, Hayfa’a, Shakirah, Nabigha and Mota’ahib.
Tarek’s track record as a rider between 1996 and 1999 was exceptional. He ranked first in the World Cup (Qatar) in 1997 and July Championship in France in 1998, both on horse ‘Jalmoud’ Jalmoud; King Abdul Aziz Cup (130 km) on ‘Saqr Al Madina,’ New Market Championship (140 km) on ‘Java’ and Monte Cuq Championship (France) on ‘Jalmoud’ in 1999. “I surpassed three record figures within one year in 1999,” Tarek boasts.
He ranked second in Araw Championship (200 km x 2 days) in Switzerland on ‘Ami’ in 1996, Spain Championship (160 km) on ‘Saqr Al Madina’ in 1998, and Europe Championship (160 km) on ‘Java’ in 1999. He emerged third in Wadi Ram Championship in Jordan on ‘Saqr Al Madina’ in 1998 and sixth in Europe Championship (160 km) on ‘Lizazat’ in 1997.
While he ranked 12th and 14th in a few of the championships he took part in 2000 and 2001, he ranked first with a golden medal and best horse prize in the Todelo Championship (130 km) in Spain on ‘Saqr Taibah’ and won a car as the top prize in the Jeddah Race (75 km) on ‘Saqr Al Madina.’
Says Tarek: “My enjoyment of endurance riding comes from my love for Arabian horses. I feel a close bond with them - their character, their stamina, their wildness and their beauty.”
Asked which among the championships was the most rewarding experience so far, Tarek said: “Of course, the King Abdul Aziz Cup (130 km) held as part of the Kingdom’s centenary celebrations, which I won.
Each championship in which I’ve taken part has been an absolutely wonderful experience. First and foremost I’m a rider. I love to ride and compete. I’m thrilled to be racing against the best. To win would be the ultimate honor and achievement for me.”
In fact Tarek’s competitive nature applies to a great number of sports disciplines. Hailing from the Red Sea port of Jeddah, water sports are a natural for this accomplished sportsman.He has won the Red Sea Water-Skiing Championships many times. He also loves snow skiing and other water sports, such as swimming and deep diving. He holds a 290 feet deep diving record.
His love for fast cars prompted him to open a “Toys for Big Boys” showroom featuring flashy motors such as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini at Tahlia Road here in August 1992. “I like to drive fast so am interested in horsepower — whether cars, boats or horses,” says Tarek.
