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Becoming a professional rider has always been Houda Kebdani's dream since childhood. The 27-year-old Moroccan was born and raised in Salé to a family from the Rif region. The Moroccan rider has been a horse lover since an early age and was fascinated with riding them.
«My father took me, with my brothers, to the countryside during the holidays. It was there where I started riding at the age of ten», she said. The Moroccan recalls her mother’s reluctance seeing her daughter getting interested in this sport. «She was afraid I could get hurt but finally was convinced by the idea. She supported me to the fullest so I could fulfill my dreams», Houda said.
Love drove her to Saudi Arabia
After graduating high school, Houda joined the National Horse Institute HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan in Dar es Salaam in Rabat to study for two years. She obtained the diploma in horse taming and grooming in 2015. She talks about her varsity years with a nostalgic tone, claiming to have received «the best training within the institution». «I will never forget what I learned at that school», she added.
The Moroccan rider then got into the field of professional horse riding. She worked in an equestrian club in the city of Rabat, then another one in Casablanca before returning for a year to continue studying. In 2016, she returned to the National Horse Institute to obtain a third degree in riding, which allowed her to participate in equestrian competitions.
In early 2017, her aunt gave her the idea of emigrating to Saudi Arabia. Houda then moved to Riyadh and found a job at the Alfarisa equestrian club for women, where she trains women and children. The Moroccan also assesses the injuries of horses and believes that this adds a plus to her professional career. «In the beginning, I was interested in the training, grooming and the medical treatment of horses, but here, I focus only on the training and medical treatment, because there are other people who take care of the rest», she said.
A book on horses in-the-making
Along with her horse training career, Houda also competed in several national equestrian competitions in Saudi Arabia to excel in one of the jumping competitions, which included 12 competitors from different clubs. She ranked first, earning a gold medal and a certificate, on behalf of her club. Houda Kabdani also took part to other competitions as a member of the jury.
Houda says she is striving to represent the Moroccan flag in Saudi Arabia against all odds, particularly in a context of stereotypes against Moroccan women : «I try to prove the opposite and show that the Moroccan woman is awake, intellectual and honest and that she can assert herself and show strength in all areas», she insisted.
Houda, who says she is in love with horse riding, is also writing her first book about her passion. She also wants to give advice on how to behave with these large mammals that have fascinated humans for millennia.
In the meantime, she shares with us her desire to return to Morocco to take part in competitions and represent her country. «Being a woman married to a Moroccan, I think about going back to my country and excel in my career. I cannot imagine doing anything else», she concludes.
