Shaikha Habes Al Mansouri is a Zayed University graduate student in the last year of her studies. She is blind, but recognises that having an impairment allows her to inspire others who are determined to achieve their goals. Riding horses gives her confidence, she says. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan
Shaikha Habes Al Mansouri is a Zayed University graduate student in the last year of her studies. She is blind, but recognises that having an impairment allows her to inspire others who are determined to achieve their goals. Riding horses gives her confidence, she says. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan
"When I first began school, I was terrified because everything was so foreign to me. But now that I've been studying for a while, I've grown to not be frightened of anything. I grew as a person as a result of the education I received at university, which allowed me to better relate to others."
"When I first began school, I was terrified because everything was so foreign to me. But now that I've been studying for a while, I've grown to not be frightened of anything. I grew as a person as a result of the education I received at university, which allowed me to better relate to others."
She chose horseriding because it gives her the sensation of being free and floating above everything.
She chose horseriding because it gives her the sensation of being free and floating above everything.
Shaikha says that when she rides a horse, she gains body awareness, confidence and self-esteem. There are many other benefits of spending time with horses, she adds.
Shaikha says that when she rides a horse, she gains body awareness, confidence and self-esteem. There are many other benefits of spending time with horses, she adds.
"When I'm with my horse, I don't think about my impairment. I simply don't feel like myself," she says.
"When I'm with my horse, I don't think about my impairment. I simply don't feel like myself," she says.
Shaikha believes she would have been unable to realise her ambitions had it not been for the support she receives from her family.
Shaikha believes she would have been unable to realise her ambitions had it not been for the support she receives from her family.
Shaikha says: "My mother is a wonderful support for me in my life; she encourages me to try new things and gives me freedom. Similarly, my friends support me at college and when I want to try new things, particularly horsing. They always assist me when I want to go horsing".
Shaikha says: "My mother is a wonderful support for me in my life; she encourages me to try new things and gives me freedom. Similarly, my friends support me at college and when I want to try new things, particularly horsing. They always assist me when I want to go horsing".
Technology has made life easier, especially the BrailleNote Touch device that she uses for her studies, adds Shaikha.
Technology has made life easier, especially the BrailleNote Touch device that she uses for her studies, adds Shaikha.
Shaikha is a member of the Emirates Association for the Visually Impaired and one of her ambitions is to become a teacher for visually impaired children, encouraging them to participate in a variety of activities.
Shaikha is a member of the Emirates Association for the Visually Impaired and one of her ambitions is to become a teacher for visually impaired children, encouraging them to participate in a variety of activities.
"I adore all animals, but horses are special," says Shaikha. "I don't need to ride all the time to be happy, but I do need to be able to engage with them on some level. Equines nourish and ground me on a deep level. When I'm away from horses for a few weeks, I feel agitated and unsure of myself."
"I adore all animals, but horses are special," says Shaikha. "I don't need to ride all the time to be happy, but I do need to be able to engage with them on some level. Equines nourish and ground me on a deep level. When I'm away from horses for a few weeks, I feel agitated and unsure of myself."
"When I spend time with horses, I feel at ease and they are able to comprehend my emotions. I always feed them carrots before beginning the ride," says Shaikha.
"When I spend time with horses, I feel at ease and they are able to comprehend my emotions. I always feed them carrots before beginning the ride," says Shaikha.
She urges other women to pursue horseriding in ladies' groups, as a way of relaxing. "When I go horseriding with them, I won't feel different from them," she says.
She urges other women to pursue horseriding in ladies' groups, as a way of relaxing. "When I go horseriding with them, I won't feel different from them," she says.

Gulf

How horseriding has empowered a blind Emirati student - in pictures

A blind Emirati student has defied the odds by pursuing studies in early childhood at Zayed University, where horseback riding helps her relax

The National

January 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Camel beauty pageant in Al Dhafra - in pictures

Soundstorm 2021 music festival in Riyadh - in pictures

Musical celebrations for Qatar National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai

Abu Dhabi buildings illuminated for Bahrain National Day - in pictures

Back to the grind: Formula 1 testing at Yas Marina Circuit - in pictures

On Women's Day
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:

Ajax 2-3 Tottenham

Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate

Final: June 1, Madrid

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

You might also like
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
%3Cp%3E1.%20Bhiwadi%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ghaziabad%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Hotan%2C%20China%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Delhi%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Jaunpur%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%20Faisalabad%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%20Noida%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%20Bahawalpur%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%20Peshawar%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%20Bagpat%2C%20India%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20IQAir%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

On Women's Day
Updated: January 04, 2022, 11:27 AM
PhotographyUAE