Camel racing in the UAE is undergoing a significant transformation with more women joining the sport, breaking barriers and defying expectations. Jana Schmiedel, a 40-year-old German adventurer, was introduced to camel racing through her interest in local culture and formed friendships with a local Emirati family in Al Ain. She found joy in connecting with camels beyond the racetrack and considers it a privilege to promote the sport for women. Similarly, Sioned Taylor, a 54-year-old British newcomer to the sport, found camel racing unexpectedly thrilling and safer compared to her previous activities like skydiving and triathlons.
Jennifer Reggio, a 40-year-old American horse racing manager, embraced camel racing after being introduced to the sport by a friend. She emphasizes the importance of pushing oneself out of their comfort zone for personal growth. Coralie Viroulaud, a 31-year-old Frenchwoman, discovered camel racing after moving to the UAE and finds it to be a great sport for the mind and physical fitness. Rawan Salah, a 27-year-old Jordanian expat, started her journey in camel racing through the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center camel trek and has been training with the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre to compete in international races. She defines the thrill of the race as the adrenaline rush during the initial gallop.
Linda Krockenberger, a 32-year-old German coach and trainer of the first all-ladies camel jockey team at ADCRC, believes that camel racing is perfectly suited for women. She switched from horses to camels out of curiosity in 2019 and highlights the significant increase in female participation in camel racing. The recent race in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, showcased over 20 women competing in their own category, marking a significant change from the past where women were rare in the sport. With women like Jana, Sioned, Jennifer, Coralie, and Rawan leading the way, camel racing is experiencing a new era of diversity and inclusion where women are taking center stage in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
