Horse riding empowers women in Egypt

Horse riding has largely been a female-dominated sport for a long time.

This was particularly true after World War II, with the number of men riding horses decreasing noticeably.

However, dominating the sport was far from easy for women. The fair sex faced a large number of barriers on the road to be in control of horse riding.

Some of the hurdles were caused by women’s physical makeup, compared to men.

Agile, loyal and brave, horses managed to win humans’ hearts since ancient times. They showed distinctive courage in wars. In times of peace, they were always man’s best friends.

Horses have also gone down as a symbol of nobility, being the most favoured domesticated animals of kings, princes and the superrich.

But this limited horse riding to the circle of men. Nonetheless, the emergence of equestrian schools and clubs for girls brought women to the saddle and caused a change in the sport as a whole.

This promulgated a new age when women are the masters of the horse riding sport.

“Equestrianism is beautiful for women,” horserider Omnia Samy told the Egyptian Mail.

“Women can masterfully ride horses exactly as men do,” she added.

She conceded, however, that this sport is not without risks for women.

“But in this, it is like any other sport,” Samy said.

Head injuries are common among horse riders, especially unskilled or ones new to the sport.

Samy, 25, started riding out two years ago, but soon became addicted to the sport.

She and her colleagues mostly practice horseback riding in Saqqara, a necropolis around 40 kilometres southwest of Cairo’s centre.

They also tried riding out in Fayoum and Nazletel-Semman, not far away from the Giza Plateau.

Samy prefers training with her private trainer to going to any equestrian school.

The good thing is that women have also taken over the horseback riding training field.

Samy trains with one of these female trainers.

She counts the many benefits of horseback riding. As she uses the stirrups on the sides of the saddle to mount the horse, Samy feels both strong and free.

When she holds the reins, she feels in control of where she is heading to.

“The same sport also helps me become physically active,” Samy said.

She added that horseback riding also stimulates her positive psychological feelings.

It makes riders, she said, feel comfortable, active and happy.

“It also increases self-confidence and self-esteem,” Samy said. “On horseback, riders feel that they possess a skill not possessed by all other people, namely the skill of controlling the horse.”

Equestrian education is usually very costly, especially inside equestrian clubs. This is why most trainers turn to horse farms which are a lot less expensive.

Samy recommends horseback riding for all women.

“I advise girls to have passion for horseback riding,” Samy said. “Do whatever you want and follow your passion to the end.”