AlUla unveils design for new world-class equestrian village
RIYADH, March 9, 2023
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has unveiled the designs of its ambitious equestrian village in the Unesco heritage site of AlUla featuring key elements related to the sport as well as housing facilities for the visitors.
Spread over a 2.85-sq-km area, the AlMuatadil Equestrian Village will boast a main equestrian race track with a 3,000-seat capacity; an endurance race track, a grass court with a capacity of 600 seats and a sand polo field with a 400-seat capacity.
The outdoor arena can accommodate 5,000 visitors, while the indoor arena will have 1,400 seats in addition to two specialised warm-up and celebrations courts and two stable complexes that can accommodate more than 740 horses - of which 580 will be in permanent stables while the rest will be in the racing stable.
In addition, the complex will have a training ground with 600 seats, it stated.
The RCU, in its LinkedIn post, said that the project's design had been inspired by AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage and the equestrian village was set to become a global destination for heritage, culture, arts and sports.
Also the AlMuatadil Equestrian Village will boast a range of residences and facilities for visitors, equipped with the latest technology and key amenities.
"It is an integrated destination for equestrian sports enthusiasts and we are looking at hosting 64 major equestrian competitions that will attract more than 120,000 visitors annually by 2035," said a spokesman for RCU.
"It is in line with the development of the equestrian sector in Al Ula and it is among our goals to enhance Al-Ula’s position as a global destination for heritage, culture, arts and sports," he added.
Aecom, one of the world’s leading infrastructure consulting firm, is developing the masterplan for the AlMuatadil Equestrian Village in co-operation with Saudi Equestrian Federation and RCU.
Earlier, The French agency for AlUla development (Afalula) had reported that two equestrian villages will be built in the ancient Saudi city - one at AlMuatadil and the other at Al Atheeb, about 10 km from AlMuatadil village.
According to Afalula, the AlMuatadil village will feature an equestrian arena, a platform for endurance, a veterinary clinic, riding arenas, a racecourse and hotels, while the Al Atheeb village will be dedicated to culture, training and recreational equestrian activities.
In particular, there will be a riding school for the local population and tourists, a training centre for riding teachers and other horse-related professions, as well as equestrian tourism guides, farriers, grooms, and security rangers in addition to a horse museum with five different pavilions and hotels, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
