Thundering hooves: The story of Oman's Royal Cavalry

We realize that the concept of heritage is not represented merely in castles, forts, archaeological houses and other materialistic things. Rather, it is represented basically in the moral heritage of traditions, norms, literature, arts and so on which are inherited from a generation to another. The complete and safe protection is achieved only by giving each single part of this concept full care and attention". His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Fire and ice, fashioned from the desert wind, gift of god, horse that can fly without wings...these are just some of the euphemisms given to the Arab horse, a steed known for its endurance, strength, beauty and grace

It’s magical feeling – enchantingly invigorating - to see this magnificent creature in motion as the hooves hit the ground, kicking back sprays of earth, its mane flowing in the wind and falling back on its beautiful neck with each hit to the ground. For those who ride it, these are but very pale descriptions of this creation sculpted to perfection by Nature itself, powered to perform in the toughest of terrains and gifted with amazing grace.

At the headquarters in Madinat al Aidyat, Seeb, the large paddocks, the superbly maintained enclosures, the tracks and the people behind the horses, all talk of the making of a success story that is the Royal Cavalry. It’s not just the magnificent Arab horses, the Royal Cavalry works to develop other breeds too, like the Thoroughbred. Its horses have been making a mark at competitions across the world over the recent years in all equine disciplines, be it pageants, flat and endurance races or shows. What goes behind these successes is as gritty a story. It’s a continuous, untiring effort, a combination of formulae that aim for victory, nothing less. And to say, the Royal Cavalry began with just 20 horses in Wattayah in 1974 under the instructions of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to preserve and promote Oman’s horse culture. Besides the headquarters, it has expanded with another facility in Seeb (Al Safinat) and Al Qadihat in Salalah.

A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES
It’s just 8.30 am. A large tub of water lies in a corner of the stable. Grooming brushes – one, two, three...over 15 - have been tossed into it after giving the horses here a nice scrub down. Horses that have spent their night out in the paddocks are already inside their clean boxes readied with a supply of fresh hay and water. The air conditioner is set at just the right temperature and the fan whirrs a slow circle.
It’s an entire package that makes a champion and the task is cut out for handlers. Apart from carefully following a healthy diet regimen depending on the competition they are built for, it’s vital the horses stay out of the heat, and are let out for one to five hours looking at the weather and the amount of exercise they should and have received.
The shaded outdoor automated exercise machine with adjustable speeds and direction allows up to eight horses have a consistent and thorough workout at a time – going up from walk to trot to a gallop to cooling down again with a walk. The indoor equine treadmill with flat and inclined settings allows focusing on a particular part of the horse’s body – the back, the legs or the shoulders.
Then there is the free lounge where the horses walk, trot, gallop or break into a run under the supervision of three to four handlers.

MAKING THE CONNECT
Fitness and grooming are imperative and so is keeping them relaxed and happy, if they are to perform their best in their events. Teach them, don’t stretch them.
“Respect their nature. Do not interfere too much, and see them shine,” says Franck Cibois, a trainer and manager in the cavalry’s show section.
Franck cites the example of a beauty named Dorar, a stunning senior grey champion show mare who has been bringing laurels – golds and silvers - to the cavalry for years, to emphasize why it is extremely essential to respect the animals’ spaces. “She is her own boss, always ready to set the ring on fire. She knows her job well...but you have to let her be, respect her.”
It’s reciprocal. With all the love and care showered on them, horses form deep connections with their handlers and riders, the result of which is there to see at competitions – stress-free horses, zero problems, awesome performances.

“What’s the goal of all this?” asks Franck, and answers himself. ”These are the things that are included in the training programme to give you the biggest chance that your horse is going to perform his best on the day of the competition. These are tricks that you use to make sure you can control the stress, conditions, energy and make sure that all these fit together to have the perfect ball.”

PRESERVING A HERITAGE
Each year, its horses participate in races in UK, France, Belgium, Germany Ireland, UAE and Qatar. Its polo teams have been making a mark in competitions in Argentina, Spain and Portugal. 

The role of the cavalry is more than events. It’s working to preserve a heritage by increasing the number of Arabian horses and Thoroughbreds through its breeding programme. Its stud farm in Salalah is the centre of breeding for all sections of the cavalry. It produces pure Arabic horses and Thoroughbred from French and Tunisian lineage for races, and from Polish and Russian lineage for shows, with around 35 horses produced for various sections each year. The Jockey Club of Oman (Royal Horseracing Club of Oman) is the authority for registering horses, issuing passports and organizing races in Oman.
The girls and boys in the mounted bands represent the country at national ceremonial events and escort important heads of states on their visit to the sultanate.

More and more young Omanis are being encouraged to take to equestrian sports through training.
Exhibitions - around ten each year – are taking Oman’s culture to countries across the world. These shows are not just about the Royal Cavalry, silver bridles or traditionally decorated saddles, but a showcase of the sultanate’s varied tradition and heritage, its achievements and a glimpse of what the future holds – for the nation, its people and of course, its equine history.