The first horsemanship academy outside of Europe is called ADREA. Abu Dhabi: His Majesty The Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA), the first international academy of its kind outside of Europe devoted to the classical art of horsemanship, was formally inaugurated today on Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, was present at the event.Sheikh Mansour visited ADREA’s facilities for the opening, including the Furussiya Gallery, which has over 173 unique artifacts and pieces of art spanning more than 2,000 years and is home to one of the largest curated collections in the world. The collection, which reflects the strong and enduring relationship between people and horses, traces the development of equestrian arts throughout Eastern and Western civilizations.Sheikh Mansour also saw demonstrations of saddle design, manufacturing, and upkeep at the first saddle-making workshop in the United Arab Emirates. He received an overview of how new methods are being used with traditional craftsmanship to promote this specialized art and improve the UAE’s reputation in the industry.With more than 14,000 books and rare manuscripts, the Equestrian Library is one of the biggest in the world and the first of its kind in the area. In addition to being a vital resource for academics and equestrian history aficionados, the library functions as a significant knowledge center for academic research and collaboration with foreign universities and libraries. Sheikh Mansour also looked at a range of equestrian gear and a unique piece of art that showed the Academy’s forty horses, a representation of the project’s identity and its source of inspiration from the great Emirati traditions of horsemanship.Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination; Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency; Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman.ADREA is the first academy outside of Europe and the fifth in the world devoted to classical horsemanship. By bringing this centuries-old art form to the Arab world through Abu Dhabi and fusing academic instruction, artistic performance, and the true principles of Arab equestrian culture, it represents a turning point in its preservation and promotion. The new academy reflects the UAE’s ongoing leadership in preserving and advancing human legacy and strengthens Abu Dhabi’s standing as a global center of creativity and culture.Teams from Austria, Spain, Portugal, France, and the United Arab Emirates participated in a prestigious performance that brought together the world’s five largest classical equestrian schools for the first time during the opening ceremony.In addition to commemorating the return of classical horsemanship to its Arab origins—from Abu Dhabi—the exhibition showcased an artistic tableau honoring the shared legacy of equestrian traditions from the East and the West.”This project embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE leadership’s commitment to preserving the nation’s cultural and human heritage,” stated Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment and Vice Chair of ADREA. Our national identity and aesthetic are intricately linked to horsemanship. Abu Dhabi is reviving the idea of horsemanship as a sophisticated cultural art that combines tradition with creativity, knowledge, and education through this historic institution.
ADREA, which spans 65,000 square meters and is situated amid the mangroves of Jubail Island, offers a variety of integrated cultural and educational facilities that capture the spirit of traditional horsemanship, such as the Furussiya Gallery, the Equestrian Library, and the first equestrian saddle-making atelier in the United Arab Emirates. Following a demanding academic curriculum that emphasizes accuracy, harmony, and artistic discipline in accordance with worldwide standards, the Academy provides professional and highly experienced riders with advanced training programs in classical equestrian arts.Additionally, it has a junior academy that teaches kids the principles of horsemanship and instills in them the noble qualities of this discipline in a secure and engaging learning environment.ADREA, which spans 65,000 square meters and is situated amid the mangroves of Jubail Island, offers a variety of integrated cultural and educational facilities that capture the spirit of traditional horsemanship, such as the Furussiya Gallery, the Equestrian Library, and the first equestrian saddle-making atelier in the United Arab Emirates. Following a demanding academic curriculum that emphasizes accuracy, harmony, and artistic discipline in accordance with worldwide standards, the Academy provides professional and highly experienced riders with advanced training programs in classical equestrian arts. Additionally, it has a junior academy that teaches kids the principles of horsemanship and instills in them the noble qualities of this discipline in a secure and engaging learning environment.
