• The Royal Stables Abu Dhabi
    UAE Para-Dressage Team

Introducing the groundbreaking UAE
Para-Dressage Team Performance Programme

As part of its ongoing expansion, The Royal Stables, in collaboration with the UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation (UAEERF), has proudly launched the UAE Para-Dressage Team Performance Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at developing a competitive para dressage team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Paralympic Games.

The programme underscores The Royal Stables' commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence in equestrian sports, and it embodies the founding vision of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Built on a mission to empower para-athletes and inspire future generations, The Royal Stables is actively seeking potential Emirati athletes to join the development pathway, sponsorship partners and community support to bring this ambitious vision to life.

This project is a unique opportunity to be part of a historic journey toward the Paralympic Games, championing diversity and breaking barriers in equestrian sports.

Meet the team

Spearheaded by Laura Richardson, General Manager of The Royal Stables, the UAE Para-Dressage Team is managed by a distinguished group of experts.
Laura Richardson
Performance Manager
Laura Richardson, a former British Dressage Team rider and BHS Stage 4 coach, has trained and competed across Europe, coached British, Singapore, and Hong Kong teams, and supported riders at international championships.

Based at The Royal Stables, she now serves as UAE Team Coach, overseeing training, performance programs, and accompanying athletes at UAE and overseas competitions.
Her experience and dedication bring valuable insight, ensuring every rider is prepared to perform at their best.
Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire
Technical Lead
Russell MacKechnie-Guire, PhD in Equine Biomechanics and founder of Centaur Biomechanics, consults for Team GBR, the Danish Paralympic Team, and trains Paralympic dressage riders. He specializes in horse–rider biomechanics, fitness, tack and equipment adaptation, supporting athletes with performance strategies and FEI compliance. 

Working alongside Laura, he provides technical expertise and guidance at training camps and international competitions.
Mohammed Dahdouh
Team Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist with 15+ years of experience, Muhammad specializes in neurological rehabilitation and holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from Cairo University. 

With advanced certifications in Hippotherapy, Neonatal Therapy, and Bobath techniques, he provides expert care to support individuals with physical challenges.
Krish Someshwar
Team Veterinarian
A veterinary surgeon with experience at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Krish specializes in sport horse medicine, advanced lameness diagnostics, and rehabilitation. 

With a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and certification in Equine Chiropractic Therapy, he ensures horses’ fitness, performance, and injury prevention through holistic care.
Dr. Nanaki J. Chadha
Team Psychologist
A Chartered Sport & Performance Psychologist (BPS, ISSP), Dr.Nanaki holds a doctorate in sport psychology and is certified in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. 

She designs tailored mental conditioning programs, workshops, and one-on-one sessions to enhance performance, confidence, and well-being across the team.

Meet the athletes

Since the launch of the UAE Para-Dressage Team Performance Programme, several Emirati athletes have joined the pioneering training pathway and officially completed their FEI classifications.

Meet Fatima Albluoshi

Born with Spina bifida, Fatima’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the transformative power of sport. Since joining our Para Dressage Performance Programme at its launch in April 2025, she has achieved her FEI classification as a Grade III Para Rider — a milestone that marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter and the road to #LA2028.

An intrepid traveller and lifelong learner, Fatima credits dressage with shaping her mindset, teaching her discipline, courage, and the belief that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Meet Wafaa Aldahmani

A Grade II Para Dressage Rider, Wafaa joined The Royal Stables Para Equestrian Programme in April and has already inspired us with her determination, resilience, and passion for horses.

From a childhood illness aged three, leaving her with a physical disability that affects her mobility, Wafaa faced challenges during her early encounters with horses. But with guidance, she discovered the powerful sense of freedom, balance, and connection that riding brings. Today, dressage is not only her sport but her sanctuary — teaching her that true strength lies in the will, not just the body.

The Royal Stables eventually hopes to recruit a total of six Emirati athletes for the programme. Eligible aspiring Emirati athletes of determination are encouraged to apply.

What is Para Dressage?

An International Equestrian Federation (FEI) governed discipline, Para Dressage is conducted under the same basic rules as the sport of dressage, the highest expression of horse training, and adjusted for athletes of determination. Athletes perform at a walk, trot and canter, executing tests ridden from memory that follow a prescribed pattern of movements, with the test difficulty determined by the athlete’s graded level of impairment.

Athletes are graded according to the severity of the impairment, ranging from Grade I - most severe impairments that usually require the use of a wheelchair - up to Grade V, which is classified as a mild impairment of movement or muscle strength or visual impairment.

Para Dressage is the only Equestrian discipline included in the Paralympic Games, where it has been a regular fixture since 1996. The Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games and are contested immediately after the Olympic Games in the same city and at the same venue.

Inside the programme

Including riding lessons, theory sessions, simulator training, physiotherapy and sports psychology, the UAE Para-Dressage Team Performance Programme is built on a holistic approach that is designed to nurture both technical knowledge, athlete fitness and mental resilience.

The Racewood Simulator

As part of this innovative development program, The Royal Stables has acquired a Racewood Simulator, a cutting-edge equestrian training tool that provides a safe and controlled environment for athletes to hone their skills. The simulator plays a vital role in the para dressage team’s training, offering customised data and feedback and enhancing rider confidence and technique. Additionally, the Racewood Simulator is also available for bookings outside of the para programme, enabling the wider equestrian community to enjoy access to this advanced piece of technology.

The Program Provides

Physiotherapy & rehabilitation sessions
Injury prevention, mobility and performance optimisation.
Nutrition support
Customised dietary programmes.
Accessible wheelchairs
Sports-adapted mobility solutions.
Psychological coaching
Mindset development and mental coaching.
Custom saddles
Tailored for each rider’s impairments and requirements and designed to deliver comfort and control.
Training camps
Comprehensive training camps delivered in the UAE and Europe.
The Racewood Simulator
Precision training in a safe environment to improve performance and confidence.

Team Sponsors

The UAE Para-Dressage Team Performance Programme is supported by a team of valued sponsors and partners. Offering far more than just visibility, our partnership and sponsorship opportunities present an exclusive opportunity to align your brand with the groundbreaking UAE Para-Dressage Team, support equestrian athlete development in the UAE, empower People of Determination and become part of the future vision of The Royal Stables.

To explore the unique benefits and visibility that come with being a sponsor at the UAE Para-Dressage Team Performance Programme, we warmly invite you to connect with our team.
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