AROUND 900 horse riders from across Bahrain will saddle up once again for a Wild Wild West extravaganza after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Horse Riders Show season kicks off today with auditions for new “cowboy” recruits in the young adults and teenagers ranks and a “cowboy” costume competition for children besides the popular Cowboys/Indians show.
The season continues until Eid Al Fitr in April 2024.
The season opener, from 3pm until 5pm, will be held at Tasneem Farm in Shahkhoora.
The line-up of shows for this season includes the Ottoman Cavalry, Old Days Arabian Cavalry, French Napoleon Cavalry and Lawrence of Arabia Cavalry.
The groups of cowboys have been in existence in Bahrain since 1971.
“We are back after a three-year hiatus and there have been several ideas that we have worked on or have experimented with during the stoppage,” said horse riders’ leader Khalil Al Fardan.
“It is not just the popular Cowboys and Red Indians Show that we are showcasing this year, but also other new cavalry horse ride dances,” he added.
“The ones that we have advertised are just a few and horse stables across Bahrain are working on several other concepts.
“We have more than 900 horse riders who are part of our network group and they will be having their own thing, so we are operating as a carnival, with our events being held every week in a different place.”
Mr Al Fardan said it was not about veterans taking up the space of talented horse riders.
“We are open for new recruits, it freshens up the act and related activities, and for this we have introduced competitions for young adults, teenagers and children in cowboy games, costumes and even choreography,” he said.
Guide
“Veterans like myself can always guide and it would be a great achievement if we finish the season with 100 young passionate men added to the line-up.
“Those selected from the season opener would be featured in our participation at the Bahrain Animal Production Show (Mara’ee) later this month and National Day celebrations next month at Bahrain Fort when we all wear the national flag as a thoub and perform Bahraini horse dances.”
Mr Al Fardan was enthusiastic about the new season describing it as a ride that people shouldn’t miss.
“We develop, we grow and we progress and it is an ongoing process,” he said.
“Hopefully, people enjoy our effort, we have put a lot into ensuring that it is the experience of a lifetime.
“Our aim is to ensure upcoming seasons are also diverse with new cavalry dance shows joining the line-up.”
For more information, call Mr Al Fardan on 33913301, Ali Al Tabbal on 33127207 or Fareed Madan on 33717888.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))