A New Home for Horses: Sheikh Mansour Opens Al Khail Square in Abu Dhabi

Opening day and what it means on the ground

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan presided over the opening of Al Khail Square at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club in a quietly grand ceremony that underlined the city’s push to blend tradition with modern leisure. The new square is billed as a public and sporting heart for horse people — a place for competitions, training, family days and cultural shows. Guests watched riders in traditional dress and international trainers put horses through their paces as officials cut the ribbon and toured the stables. For local residents it promises more ways to enjoy outdoor life and see events up close. For the equestrian community it brings upgraded stabling, a purpose-built training track, and viewing areas that aim to meet international standards. Organizers stressed the design keeps Arabian horsemanship at its centre while offering modern comfort and hospitality. The opening points to a broader plan to grow leisure choices that tie back to Abu Dhabi’s heritage.

How the square is laid out and what happened at the ceremony

Set inside the established grounds of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Al Khail Square occupies a section of well-kept lawns, new turf arenas and a ring of low-rise buildings that house stables, a veterinary clinic and hospitality suites. The opening program started with a formal welcome from club officials and a short parade of horses, followed by a demonstration of show riding and endurance drills. Guests included members of the royal family, local officials, riders from Gulf states and a handful of international trainers. Organizers showed visitors the layout: dedicated warm-up tracks, a main turf arena fit for international shows, covered viewing terraces and family zones with food and cultural displays.

Behind the scenes there are larger stables built to modern welfare standards, room for trainers to base operations, and a small administrative hub for event staff. Lighting and sound systems were installed to allow evening events, and planners said transport links and parking were scaled for weekend competitions. Officials emphasized that the square is meant to host both high-level races and community activities, with flexible spaces that can be configured for different events.

Voices from the day

Sheikh Mansour said, “Al Khail Square is a place where our traditions and our future meet.” The chairman of the Equestrian Club added, “We open our doors to families, riders and visitors who want to enjoy horses up close.” A veteran trainer at the club said, “The facilities give us room to work with young horses and stage shows that can bring the region together.” Guests described the atmosphere as warm and purposeful, a blend of pride in Arabian horsemanship and an eye on international events.

Why the square matters beyond the ribbon cutting

Al Khail Square matters for more than sport. Horses are woven into Emirati life, from Bedouin history to modern pageantry, and a visible, public space for riding helps keep that thread alive. The square gives schools and community groups a nearby place to run lessons and introduce young people to riding. It also creates a clearer path for regional competitions to come to Abu Dhabi, which can draw visitors from nearby Gulf states and beyond. That matters for hospitality workers, trainers, feed and tack suppliers, and small businesses that support events.

Tourism officials see potential for themed weekends and cultural shows that pair riding with music and food, making the site useful outside peak racing seasons. At the same time, running a top-tier equestrian venue carries costs — from animal care to staffing — and future success will hinge on steady event schedules and community buy-in. For now, the opening is a statement: Abu Dhabi is investing in places that celebrate local tradition while building facilities that can host global sport.

Sheikh Mansour’s wider role

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a senior member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family and a long-time patron of sport and culture. He has backed equestrian projects at home and supported sporting investments abroad that raise the city’s profile. His involvement at the club is part of a wider push by Abu Dhabi to use sport and cultural venues to attract visitors and give residents more public life. Al Khail Square fits into that pattern.

Sources

• prnewswire.com