lifestyle and culture

From a spacious paddock to qualified instructors, the UAE is well-known for this exhilarating sport which is available all year round for you to enjoy.
As here at Emirates Woman we are quite the fans of horse-riding, here’s a curated list of stables with fully equipped facilities for you to embrace throughout the year.
Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

With a state-of-the-art polo and equestrian community located in Dubailand, with over six million square feet of land, it consists of four world-class polo fields, a polo academy, a riding school with a dedicated riding aren’t emulating that Andalusian elegance with an oasis of excellence and uncompromising luxury. The instructors help fine-tune your skills with the well-schooled horses as it operates from Sunday to Saturday, 6am to 12am. Prices start at Dhs240 for beginners in a group setting and Dhs475 for a private beginners class.
For more information visit poloclubdubai.com
JA Equestrian centre

Featuring its own air-conditioned stables with a vast expanse at JA, The Resort. This wonderful place for horse riding in the UAE provides expert qualified instructors for both experts and beginners in a fully-equipped schooling environment where regular riders can venture out and enjoy the natural desert environment, making it available all year round. The stables operate from 7am to 12pm and 4pm to 7pm.
For more information visit jaresortshotels.com
Dubai City stable

This family-friendly oasis located in Umm Sequim district, being only 10 minutes from Dubai’s Downtown area is perfectly suited for city residents who are either trained or wish to begin their horse riding journey as this stable is truly the perfect point for all horse desert adventures as they offer both private and group tuition for beginners through various events too. Starting at Dhs190 for 45 minutes, this place is definitely one to visit.
For more information visit dubaicitystable.com 
Sharjah Equestrian and Racing club

Being one of the first equestrian clubs in the UAE established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, this riding club is located on Al Dhaid Road. It’s home to one of the largest indoor riding facilities in the Middle East ensuring that its well equipped with qualified trainers and riding instructors who have advanced their technical skills. The riding school is closed on Tuesday and is open from morning 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm.
For more information visit serc.ae
Emirates Equestrian centre

Whether you’re interested in horse riding or simply wish to experience a tranquil equine desert escape, riders of all levels are welcome and also have the opportunity to learn about show jumping, dressage, eventing, join the pony club or visit the riding school. With fully qualified instructors being able to answer your queries, polo events also take place for you to simply visit. The lesson hours are available from 7am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm and is located on Al-Ain Road, Dubai.
For more information visit emiratesequestriancentre.com
Al Wadi Equestrian Centre
Located at the Ritz Carlton resort Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah, this equestrian centre offers lessons and experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. Group and private lessons are available for experienced and beginner riders, including children. Spacious paddocks and a horse-walking arena are among the facilities.
For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/uae/al-wadi-desert/

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As a number of proven initiatives have been spearheaded by women, there has been a significant increase in the rate of female entrepreneurs in Qatar who continue to inspire everyone around the globe with their vision and have made a mark in society.
Also read: 9 inspiring Saudi women who have made an impact on the world
Emirates Woman has compiled a list of influential Qatari women, who continue to keep inspiring future generations.
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Thani

Regarded as one of the most prominent female figures in Qatar, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Thani has been actively involved in many endeavours to help social issues and education in the country. She spearheaded Education City in Qatar which was built in 1997 under her leadership of the Qatar Foundation as chairperson. She is also the chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation and chairperson, founder of the Qatar Social Work organisation and a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals advocate. She also is a major advocate for emerging fashion designers in the Arab region as the Honorary Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia, which launched in September 2018 under her patronage.
Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser Al Thani

Known as one of the most successful Qatari women, Sheikha Hanadi is Founder & CEO of AL Waab City Real Estate development project, Vice Chairman of Nasser Bin Khaled Al-Thani & Sons Group and Founding Chairperson Q-Auto, the founding Chairperson of INJAZ Qatar. As a successful businesswoman and philanthropist, she is a prominent figure in the business world.
Buthaina Al Ansari

Buthaina Al Ansari is one of Qatar’s leading businesswomen and the founder of Tamkeen Training and Consulting Solutions, which facilitates the advancement of Qatari women in the workforce within three main segments of training, development, business and consultancy. Al Ansari is also a member of the MENA business women’s networks, a board member of Qatar business women’s association and a mentor at the Qatar professional women’s network circle.
Aysha Al-Mudahka

The chief executive of the Qatar Business Incubation Centre which is the largest mixed-use business incubator in the Middle East, and also the founding member of the Roudha Centre, which promotes women’s entrepreneurship and innovation, Aysha Al-Mudahka has specialised in reinventing business in emerging markets.
Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari
While being a part a medical research initiative known as Qatar Biobank, Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari has been recognised as managing director of Hamad Medical Corporation, which is regarded as Qatar’s largest public hospital. Over the year it has been transformed into a major academic medical centre, she also assumed her position in the government in 2016.
Dana Al Fardan

Dana Al Fardan is Qatar’s only female contemporary composer. She is also a songwriter and symphonic artist, drawing on her rich cultural heritage and influenced by her love of world music. Her work is a blend of Arab-influenced contemporary classical, epic in scale and universally accessible. She made her debut on London’s West End in 2019 and has also been appointed the official composer for Qatar Airways.
Hend Rumaihi

The young Qatari fashion designer founded her eponymous clothing brand in 2018, with monochromatic elements as a key focus. She’s an independent businesswoman who’s created fresh unique contemporary pieces, which are sold on an exclusive basis as she never stops to reinvent herself.
Nayla Al Thani
While championing gender equality and female empowerment in the region, Nayla Al Thani is an inspirational Qatari woman in the field of education, as she progressed in a career of teaching with the assistance of Teach for Qatar NGO and has overcome the challenges in the region. By spearheading a new era of thinking positioning women in society, she is truly inspiring the future generations of tomorrow.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani

While building an exciting creative future for Qatar through her work at Qatar museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa has amplified the nation’s cultural institutions and heritage sites, by creating a local first outlook as Qatar continues to expand its creative horizon through local and regional artists. Sheikha Al Mayassa founded the Doha Film Institute in 2010. It is dedicated to film appreciation, financing and education. It aims to build a dynamic film industry in Qatar and nurtures regional storytellers. She is also co-chair of Fashion Trust Arabia.
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has just released its new tourism campaign and it’s a must-watch.
Showcasing the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, AlUla, a story is told through an all-female film titled The World’s Masterpiece. It highlights a young Saudi woman depicted as a true explorer charting the unknown.

The movie was directed by the well-known French filmmaker and photographer Bruno Aveillan, as it aims to showcase and unharness the beauty of this ancient heritage site. As Saudi Arabia is all set to reopen for international travel on March 31, the video beautifully portrays the key sites in the kingdom to travellers.
Topping the bucket list for global destinations with cutting-edge art installations, a legacy of 7,000 years of human civilizations and stunning natural rock formations and canyons, AlUla is the first of the big Saudi Vision 2030 initiative of welcome visitors in the region.
From a diverse itinerary including nature-filled walks to art festivals and food trucks, there’s enough and more for both domestic and international travellers throughout. With a dig into the archives, visitors can explore busy bazaar stalls, book sightseeing tours and unravel a trek to the Adventure Trail as they explore the recently opened AlUla Bike Park while making most of the midnight sky.
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“The World’s Masterpiece is a play on both the skilful artistry of ancient civilisations who carved elaborate artworks into the rocky outcrops, as well as the pure and unspoilt beauty of the geological rock formations and landscapes sculpted by nature,” Phillip Jones, the chief destination management and marketing officer at Al Ula Royal Commission (RCU), said.
This carefully curated campaign highlights AlUla’s old town which reopens in February and Jebel Al Fil (Elephant rock) which spans over 22,000 square kilometres and is also home to three luxurious hotels by Aman Resorts International, allowing visitors to plan ahead of their visit with the new facilities at the site.
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January’s – ‘The Positivity Issue’ – Download Now
As we start a new year, we ask some of the most inspiring women we know how they will be embodying positivity in 2021.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifah Al MaktoumEquestrian Athlete@lati_mak

How do you implement positivity into your life?
Positivity or a positive mindset is something I work with on a daily basis. I think it’s something that you have to consciously work on.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I think being disciplined is a way of implementing positivity. Having a firm belief that hard work pays off.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Surrounding yourself good people is key to having a good mindset. I think the atmosphere of those you chose to be around has an effect on you. Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Ilke ShahFounder of LimeLite Jewellery@limelitejewellery

How do you implement positivity into your life?
I try to maintain a busy yet balanced day. A bit of exercise, designing my jewellery, taking time out to eat proper meals and having family time. Of course, there are exceptions from time to time but I try to ensure that mostly I reserve a place for each in my daily life. The best days are when I can also throw in a bit of girl-time with my friends – I think it’s really important for each of us to have our support network and this requires investing time and effort.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I kiss my husband and children every day. No matter what arguments we might have or other issues, this daily routine ensures that we never forget that underneath everything we all love each other. Every morning I drink a cup of tea and watch the sunrise. It’s like a form of meditation for me, that I reflect on the day ahead, how lucky we are to have our health. I regularly attend Barry’s Bootcamp – a hi-intensity workout gym. The communal energy and fitness focus is like getting a shot of positive energy directly into your bloodstream.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
2020 taught us that our plans are directional at best. I think we have all learnt to become more flexible, recognise the simple things in life, and appreciate what we already have. I intend to focus on the tasks that I enjoy and that I can influence, and not to waste energy on the things that are not in my control. That means definitely less time reading social media, more time reading books. Less time with negative people, more time with nature. And enjoy being in the moment and not postponing happiness for some future gain.
Areej Al HammadiEmirati footballer@areej.alhammadi13

How do you implement positivity into your life?
I try to avoid negative thoughts, encourage myself to look at the positives in my life, stay fit and healthy because I believe your mental and physical health are all connected to your happiness and positivity. And I remind myself that it’s ok when things don’t work out.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I try to do something positive and productive every day. Something I enjoy every day. I find that if you start your day with small achievements it helps set a positive mindset for the rest of the day.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Every day is a new page and every day there are small positive things you can achieve. To stay positive in the year ahead I plan to set smaller goals to achieve over shorter periods of time and do the things I enjoy the most.
Yara AldreesCorporate Environment and Sustainability Specialist, Red Sea Development
How do you implement positivity into your life?
We all have our bad days; however, it is extremely important to take an active approach to staying positive. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said, “Expect the best and you shall find it.” I try my best to live by that. You attract the good things and supercharge your life by being positive, and by creating healthy habits.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I love listening to podcasts/music, meditation, and reciting positive affirmations. I enjoy being in nature and surrounding myself with the people I love. This always gives me a huge positivity boost. Simple practices like that help to keep me grounded and optimistic.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
I hope to improve my outlook for 2021 by first accepting the challenges in my life and then trying to identify ways to overcome them. This activity is, in itself, a force for positive change, as is hoping for the best and always believing that everything happens for a reason: when one door closes, another always opens. Another thing I plan on doing is surrendering to the universe and I will try not to control everything in my life. By doing that I believe it will help me attract positive results and outcomes. I will also continue practising my positive habits and add more to them like eating healthy and practising yoga.
Salama KhalfanFounder of Salama Khalfan Fine Jewellery@salamakhalfan & @salamakhalfanfinejewellery

How do you implement positivity into your life?
By doing meditation and yoga, having an attitude of gratitude, and consciously making the effort to put my mindset on a positive track. Starting the morning and ending the day with meditation helps me a lot. I also try to have a good balance between my work focus and my personal growth focus. I focus on my personal growth by doing things that give me invisible power and this charges my battery – whether it’s horse riding, spending time with the people I love, reading a book, painting, being outdoors or just being with my own thoughts.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
Aside from what I’ve mentioned earlier, I actually really invest in surrounding myself with people who can take me to the next level. I work with 4-5 professionals that specialise in a specific type of coaching. It’s trying to surround yourself with people who have become experts in their field and you try to draw from their expertise and incorporate it within your life to help you achieve your goals.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
My approach will be to focus on small wins. Generally, I’m a big picture type of person. I look at a goal in the long term but I think for this year, I’d like to break that goal into smaller milestones that are easier to achieve and give me those small wins to celebrate every time.
Fatma Al OtaibaFounder of ODEEM@odeem_official

How do you implement positivity into your life?
The year 2020 taught me the importance of appreciating the little things in life & just how valuable our time is. I spend a lot of time with my family and siblings and that is always the best way to keep me feeling positive.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
My favourite time of the day is right before sunrise, and lately, I have been maintaining a routine of waking up early and exercising on a daily basis. I would say this helps a lot, as I set a positive intention for my day ahead.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
To live day by day and in the moment. I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2021 will bring for my business, and all the exciting new collections, and product launches we will have at ODEEM.
Rania FawazFashion Influencer@raniafawazz

How do you implement positivity into your life?
It’s something I’ve been doing for years now and it’s really simple things but play a big role. Firstly I try to live a healthy lifestyle, I surround myself with positive people and I catch myself when negative thoughts roll in.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I start my day listening to positive affirmations and it sets the vibe of my day. I also keep a gratitude journal writing down things I’m grateful for that improves my optimism.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
To keep doing my rituals. Focus on the positive always.
Sayyida Hakima Al SaidFounder of HAK The Label@hakthelabel

How do you implement positivity into your life?
This year I have learned to step back and analyze the situation before getting involved emotionally. Anything that brings my mood down I stay away from. I also try to see the good in any situation and am learning to just relax and not take anything personally. Practising gratitude and showing more appreciation is also really important for staying positive.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I try to think positively and have realized it’s all about perception. So in any situation, I try to be aware of my thoughts and if I feel things are going a little negative I stop and make some small changes to my mindset. I also practise self-care and I have started using meditation apps like calm and headspace, which are really helpful in keeping a positive outlook.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Reduce negative influences, continue self-care, exercise, meditate and just see the positive in every situation. We survived 2020 so bring it on 2021!
Khulood ThaniCreative Director of Bint Thani Studio@khuloodthani

How do you implement positivity into your life?
It’s through having an organised mind, we know that we can not be positive all the time, but it’s important to be conscious of our thoughts and emotions which does influence our actions.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
I practice meditations and affirmations every morning and yoga would be during the day. Yet being in London during the lockdown was a great opportunity to explore something new to be added in my schedule, I started jogging in the parks and I would say it does raise my positive vibration with the world around me.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
Staying focused is the most important thing that we can do in such uncertain times.
Haya JarrarFounder of ROMANI@hayajarrar & @romani.official

How do you implement positivity into your life?
Sometimes the smallest things bring you a lot of positivity, such as music and dancing. I ensure that’s how I always start my day. It took my husband a while to get used to my singing and dancing around the house but trust me it works.
What practices do you do to ensure you have a positive mindset?
My biggest therapy is riding my horse, and I recently got into meditation. I also workout and try to surround myself with nature.
How do you plan to stay positive in the year ahead?
I will continue to work hard on ROMANI and grow it further. Nothing brings me more joy or positivity like watching my brand grow and seeing what I imagine become a reality. And I will continue to surround myself with positive and inspiring people.
January’s – ‘The Positivity Issue’ – Download Now
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