Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Friday visited a newly-opened centre of excellence in the capital celebrating the UAE's deep-rooted passion for horse riding.
Sheikh Khaled toured the impressive facilities at the landmark Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (Adrea), built on a 65,000 square metre estate on Jubail Island, only the fifth academy dedicated to classical horsemanship to open worldwide, and the first outside of Europe.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince stepped inside the Furusiyya Gallery, which features 173 rare artefacts and artworks spanning more than 2,000 years, and Dar Al Hiraf – traditional equestrian saddlery workshop – the UAE’s first saddle-making atelier.
Sheikh Khaled also took in the manege (performance hall), which hosts weekly classical equestrian showcases featuring Adrea’s riders, and the Equestrian Library, the first of its kind in the region and one of the world’s largest specialised libraries in equestrian arts, containing about 14,000 rare books and manuscripts on classical horsemanship.
He was briefed by Adrea representatives on the academic and training programmes it offers, which aim to hone the skills of the next generation of professional riders.
Sheikh Khaled said the venue represented a significant addition to Abu Dhabi's cultural and sporting landscape, bringing together global expertise and authentic Emirati traditions.
Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment and vice chairwoman of Adrea, who joined Sheikh Khaled on the visit, said the support of the UAE leadership was critical to the success of the capital's latest cultural crown jewel.
“Adrea reflects the UAE leadership’s vision of harmonising Emirati heritage with global excellence, presenting horsemanship as a refined human art that reflects the nation’s values and cultural identity,” she said.
Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Saif Ghobash, secretary-general of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince, also took part in the visit.
The academy officially opened to students and visitors this month, with the inauguration ceremony featuring performances by the world’s leading classical riding schools from France, Austria, Portugal and Spain, alongside riders and horses from Adrea.
The academy features state-of-the-art stables equipped with advanced monitoring systems and specialised air-conditioning, in addition to a junior riders academy, indoor and outdoor training arenas, shaded tracks for horses and riders, a veterinary clinic, and a dedicated veterinary rehabilitation centre.
