Emirati Mohamed Jassim Al Serkal is the only Emirati dressage rider competing on the world stage. He opens up to Esquire on his long, long ride to the Asian Games and the Olympics.
He’s struggled with getting enough funding to pursue his dreams on competing and representing the UAE at the 2022 Asian Games. He’s in it for the long haul hoping to take part in the 2028 Olympic Games.
31-year-old Al Serkal opens up about the lack of dressage information here in the emirates and the popularity of show jumping and endurance racing.
“When you look at the UAE there’s so few trainers around who can actually teach you dressage,” he explains.
Currently working as a marketing manager in the UAE, he trying to change the opinion people have of dressage.
“I don’t think anyone understand the sport. They think it’s more of a hobby people pursue in their free time. I want to motivate people to atleast try it out.”
Does he think he would get more funding if he was a show jumper? The answer from Al Serkal is a resounding yes.
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