Gallop, gallop and raring to go

There is nothing quite as impressive as the sight of a powerful Arabian horse racing at a breathtaking 60km an hour in the early morning sun.

Sitting astride the magnificent horse is one of Bahrain’s Mounted Police officers.
The Mounted Police Unit in Budaiya boasts some of the finest horse-riders in the kingdom. The fabled Arab horse has become global symbol of spirit and beauty, and Bahrain’s police force arguably has the region’s best.
The unit is assigned to provide security in locations that can’t be reached by vehicles, such as shores, open public places during rush hour and narrow and crowded areas. It also participates in traditional and national celebrations to showcase the horsemanship of the ministry’s knights.
“The unit’s horses are brought from the finest stables in the world to contribute to the ministry’s mission of better security and stability in the kingdom,” explains Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Duaij Al Khalifa, the unit’s commanding officer, “they are all pure blood with 300 years of breeding. They are the same ones that were used in battle centuries ago. For battle you wanted a tall horse with endurance. These horses can be as tall as 16 hands and are fearless. Arabian horses are naturally brighter, their reflexes are better and they understand more.”
Bahrain has a rich history of horse-riding and breeding.
“When the Al Khalifa came from Layla (in present day Saudi Arabia) they brought horses with them,” says Shaikh Abdulrahman. “We have many equestrian bloodlines. Saudi Arabia has seven lines, Kuwait has two or three, but Bahrain has 23.”
The Mounted Police Unit is a surprisingly beautiful space; paddocks are lined with trees and shrubs, and spotless stables house perfectly groomed horses.
“Over the years, the ministry has strived to develop the unit by expanding stables and carrying out tree plantation projects,” said Shaikh Abdulrahman. “The Minister of Interior Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa pays special interests in developing the unit to be one of the best in the region.”
The unit even has a natural spring, so the horses can be cooled off in water rising straight from the earth.
At 5am every morning, the officers groom and saddle up their horses. For the next few hours they will parade the horses in preparation for official duties. While most of the Mounted Police Unit’s duties consist of ceremonial parades, they also compete in a host of international competitions.
The mounted police officers are also talented horse trainers, master show-jumpers and eventers and compete in contests throughout the Middle East.
One of the unit’s most impressive spectacles is the spear-based game of Harba.
Harba is game in which small targets are placed on the ground and riders, racing at 60km per hour and above try to spear the target. It’s a game that requires unflinching precision and super reflexes.
Bahrain’s mounted police take part in Harba competitions with other police forces throughout the Arab world.
Another highlight of the mounted police unit’s calendar is His Majesty The King’s Cup Show Jumping Championship held in February at the unit’s internationally approved show-jumping arena. Three days of competitions include the qualifying competition for the FEI World Cup Jumping Championship.
“People from all over the world come to compete,” said Shaikh Abdulrahman, “two weeks before the show its hectic over here. We help out with everything as much as possible to make sure it runs smoothly.”
The Ministry of Interior says it is proud of the achievements of the Mounted Police Unit and says that many future plans are in store to develop the already impressive skills of its officers.

Special Report
By -RdS-
editor@gulfweekly.com