My answer to question: show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development.

Show JumpingMy story of horse riding

Saleh Almusalam

The StartI was 15 years old when I first rode a horse, I tried it once and I was not able to move the horse or walk him because I do not have any riding experience. I tried to tap the horse in the back and then suddenly it started to run (canter) so fast after a few seconds it moved the head down and I found myself on the ground. I standed up with a little injury and I thought that was everything, after a few seconds, the horse walked to me, turned and kicked my knee, thanks god it only touched my pants because I moved very quickly.

That little story made me change the way I look at horses. I did not see them like I used to before that accident. I moved away from them wherever they walk close to me and I kind of built horses phobia knowing that I did not have any friends, brothers or parents who ride horses.

After 10 years of that, I have been invited to come and see a show jumping event that took place in one of the best clubs in Kuwait, a club called Kuwait Riding Center. I attended that event and I was amazed of the characters of horses and how they love human if they are well treated. I decided to give it a try and put myself out of my comfort zone even though I was not planning to consider it as my new hobby.

Change

To be honest, there was only one goal to me at that time, that goal was to change the whole idea about horses in my mind, they must be seen as good animals and the wrong image in my mind should be replaced so, I took 10 lessons at KRC club. My whole body was shaking at every time I ride. After a few days, I finished the lessons with a good progress I continued another 10 lessons and in no time I found myself in love with horses and the sport decided to be my new life hobby.

Love

Working at the office can get you into stress most of the time and that is normal when you work in almost any company, so, whenever I feel depressed or stressful of work or in need of freeing my mind again for the next day or challenge, I go to the club, jump on a horse and start riding to release that hard pressure or wrong feelings.

Believe me that works like nothing else if you learn the riding basics, it is like a meditation for the mind. In my opinion, words are not enough to explain the real feelings when you ride a horse.

Show jumping equestrian is one of the few sports which depend on teams of human and animal together working in constant progress to achieve one goal.

Depression & Stress Release

Four years passed since I started horse riding again and I am enjoying it more than any other sport because of both the physical and mental results.

I can strongly feel the positive change of the mental state after each ride when I take a rest from work. It is also a social sport that added hundreds of people around the world to my network from Kuwait and Europe because of the weekly events and competitions that take place in almost every city.

Years Of Fun, Progress & Lifestyle Change

Some videos

https://instagram.com/p/v1bLPEPag_/

https://instagram.com/p/vEWiRSPakG/

https://instagram.com/p/pLRocJPavm/

https://instagram.com/p/pFA375vajh/

Thank You..