But perseverance and hard work allowed me to reach this level: Al-Oubeissy Saudi Arabia’s first female horse trainer has a special interest in showjumping — no surprise given the hurdles she has faced on her path to success. Ibrar Yassin Al-Oubeissy’s passion for animals, especially horses, led her to become the Kingdom’s first trainer. “I had to overcome many obstacles, as I didn’t receive any encouragement. But perseverance and hard work allowed me to reach this level,” she told Arab News. She decided to become a trainer after being angered by the cruel treatment of horses by some handlers, who were only interested in financial gain. “Horses became a big part of my life — I had nine horses in nine years, and took part in many championships,” she said. Al-Oubeissy’s qualifications allow her to train male and female jockeys for international championships. She remembers every horses she owned, and each taught her a different lesson. The saddest was a few years ago when she lost a horse at a championship, just two months after buying it. “I will never forget that moment when it fell in front of me. It really affected me,” she said. Al-Oubeissy has nurtured a strong bond with the equestrian world. “I will never abandon this — this is my life.”