Coach Abed Update:
Due to heavy wind and rainfall, the tent that has been housing Coach Abed’s wife and three young…
Posted by Martha Figueroa on Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Before you dive into all of the shopping deals available for the holiday season, we’re asking you to take a moment to read the story of Coach Abed Rahman Muhammad Diab, an equestrian coach formerly employed by the now-destroyed Aljawad Riding Club, living in Gaza with his family who has been struggling to keep his family and peers safe as war rages on in the area. The story of the Aljawad Riding Club was shared on The Chronicle of the Horse earlier this year.
“I am 31 years old, married and father of three children. I am a resident of the northern Gaza Strip. I will share with you my story and what happened after October 2023. I used to work as a riding coach at the Al-Jawad Equestrian Club, and I was paid a good salary,” Coach Abed wrote on a GoFundMe page set up on his behalf. “I enjoyed my job. I was able to fulfill all my needs for myself and my family. I, my father, and my brothers lived in one building of four apartments, each of us having a floor. This building was built by my father after 45 years of dedication, hard work, and sacrifice. But unfortunately, on the morning of October 13, the Occupation asked us to leave the house and go to the south of the Gaza Strip. My father and my brothers fled, along with a small newborn baby, my children. I remained in the in the house, hoping to protect her from war thieves. It was a difficult decision to leave a piece of your heart to volunteer, but there was no other alternative.”
You can also support the rebuilding of the Al-Jawad Equestrian Club here, and you can make a donation to help Coach Abed here. We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Martha Figueroa, who has taken it upon herself to stay in communication with her long-distance friends and has worked tirelessly to bring awareness and support to these equestrian heroes.
U.S. Weekend Preview
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News & Reading
Forward Stride, a therapeutic riding center in Oregon, is partnering with the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) to bring the healing power of horses to Native American youth. This program helps reconnect youth with their cultural heritage while providing therapeutic benefits through riding and interacting with horses. Dr. John Spence, a tribal consultant at NARA, emphasizes the importance of reintroducing horses to Native American culture, which was disrupted by historical injustices. Forward Stride and NARA aim to expand these programs to continue supporting youth in their recovery and transition back into their communities. This initiative highlights the growing movement to incorporate horses into therapeutic practices within Native American communities across the country, and you can read more about it here.
British Eventing is seeking a Membership and Marketing Manager, tasked with overseeing the entire membership lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to engagement, retention, and renewal and generally fostering a positive experience for British Eventing members. Click here to see more about this position.
Celebrate the champions of this year’s USEA Classic Series! If you haven’t put a Classic Three-Day on your bucket list, definitely considering adding one and learning the true foundations of the sport. Catch up with this year’s winners here.
Do you earn most of your income outside of horses? Are you competing regularly at Beginner Novice or above? Apply for the C Square Farm/ Excel Star Sporthorses Amateur Scholarship! Winners will receive board for themselves and one horse for a total of 7 days in 2025. The scholarship can be redeemed in Aiken, SC or Nottingham, PA, as Courtney travels. Winners will enjoy board for their horse, daily lessons on their horse, (with the possibility to ride other horses), housing for themselves, and coaching at an event if they choose to compete during their stay. Applications are due on December 15 and you can request an application by emailing [email protected].
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
We love seeing riders gaining experience at the Stable View Eventing Academy! This low-pressure show offers plenty of opportunity to practice before competing in a three-phase one-day competition. There is one more Eventing Academy on the books for mid-December, and you can learn more about this event series here.
Video Break
Go jumping in the grand Rolex Stadium at Kentucky Horse Park with this throwback to the AECs!
