Aneesa Al Mahmood is a twenty-two-year-old international dressage rider proudly representing the Kingdom of Bahrain. Based in Bilbao, Spain, Aneesa trains and works with her four horses. She says “My main passion is training and developing horses, and alongside this I also enjoy sourcing dressage horses of different ages and levels for clients all around the world.”

 

Which horses are you currently riding and what does a typical week look like for you?

I’m currently working with four very special horses. My main competition horse and partner is Handsome, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Tuschinski. Owned by Sh. Noora Al Khlaifa, the founder and owner of Al Fursan Team and my biggest sponsor who I have the privilege of working and riding for over the last three years. Handsome is the horse I made my first steps into the international arena with, from my first Young Riders CDI and one-star, to recently returning from our first Asian Championships in Pattaya where we finished in the top 13 in the Freestyle. He’s been an incredible partner throughout my journey so far and I have truly learned so much from him. We have a new addition to the team, an 11yo mare we purchased last month. Due to privacy I cannot disclose much until we’ve officially announced her. All I can say is that she is very special and will most likely be my ride to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan this September.

My third horse is my young project, a 3.5-year-old KWPN stallion by Dream Boy x Dark Pleasure, Sir Pleasure or “Pepe” as we like to call him around the stable. He’s the first young horse that I’m developing myself, with the goal of competing in young horse classes and gradually building him up to the higher levels step by step if all goes to plan.

Lastly, I own a 10yo gelding called Special For You by Finest x Weltino or “Skye”. He’s a horse I have owned since first moving to Europe. With him I have made my debut at national shows both in Germany and the Netherlands. He has taught me a lot both in the saddle and on the ground and to this day remains to be the sweetest horse I have ever had in training and at the stables.

Our weekly schedule is all about consistency, both in training and management. I strongly believe that giving horses time to just be horses is just as important as the work we do, so both get as much paddock time as possible. My competition horses work in full training from Monday to Friday, Saturday is an easier day for them with either lunging or hacking, and Sunday is their full day off in the paddock. Pepe’s work is kept age appropriate, focusing on basics, confidence, and correct development. Riding is mostly three days a week with the rest being either lunging or groundwork depending on how he is feeling and developing.

 

How did horses come into your life?

Horses came into my life through my mother, who used to ride for pleasure from a young age. She put me and my siblings on ponies as soon as she could, I secretly think she was hoping it would stick with at least one of us. It definitely worked, we all started riding and taking lessons from a young age and continued throughout our teenage years. While my siblings eventually moved on to other sports and interests, the horse fever never left me, and it’s been a constant part of my life ever since.

 

Did you always know you wanted to be a full-time dressage rider?

I knew from a very early age that this was what I wanted to do. The spark really hit when I was a young girl watching the Olympics. At the time I was taking local pony club lessons, but what I saw on TV was a completely different side of riding. A whole new world opened up to me, a level of precision, harmony, and partnership I had never seen before. From that moment on, dressage became the focus.

I was incredibly fortunate to have a very supportive mother and to grow up in an environment that allowed me to explore that passion. I started riding at Al Fursan around the age of eight and like most riders it all began on cheeky ponies who taught me how to sit, fall off, laugh, and get back on again. Over the years, I was trusted with more ponies, and before we knew it, we were out competing. Each year it became more serious, to the point where I was riding three to four ponies a day and taking as many lessons as I could.

When I turned seventeen and graduated from high school I had to decide where to study. I chose the Netherlands, not because of the university options (which is what I told my parents) but because I wanted to learn and be in the heart of the dressage world. Very quickly, I realised that university wasn’t the direction for me. I dropped out and took on a working student position at a professional dressage stable in Germany, and I haven’t looked back since.

It became very clear to me that if I wanted to compete and become a professional rider, I had to put all my time and focus into it. Honestly, there’s no other way. As much as I loved my home and community in Bahrain, I knew I wouldn’t learn what I needed by staying there. Leaving home was a big step, but it was a necessary one if I wanted to give my dream a real chance.

 

Who have been your mentors and who do you train with now?

No formal mentors, but rather people and riders who have had a strong influence on my career and the way I approach the sport. Learning through observation, experience, and being surrounded by high level riders has played a big role in my development.

Most recently, I relocated from the Netherlands to Germany and now to Spain, where I’m now training and riding with my new trainers, Iván Nieto Sánchez and Daniel Duarte Merchán. Ivan is an international Grand Prix rider representing Spain recently based in Bilbao, Spain. They run their own professional stable with a diverse set of clients and riders such as India, Thailand and now Bahrain. Being in their stable has been a true breath of fresh air. I’m incredibly grateful to have found people in this industry who are truly honest, passionate, and always put the horses first. Anyone who has spent time in the professional side of this sport knows that finding individuals like this is like finding a needle in a haystack. Their integrity and dedication to the welfare of the horses make them truly special. I feel very fortunate to have met them and to continue growing in the sport with their support and guidance. They are both exceptional riders and I look forward to learning as much as possible from them

 

What do you love about dressage?

What I love most about dressage is the feeling of partnership, the love for horses has always been the most important part. It’s a sport where the smallest details matter the most and where progress comes from patience and trust. I love that you’re never really “finished” there’s always something to improve, refine, or learn.

Dressage has taught me discipline, empathy, and of course humility. The process of working with such special beings and building an understanding with them is something that’s really hard to put into words. When everything comes together even if it’s just for a few moments that feeling is incredibly special, and that’s what makes the sport so addictive for me.

 

You ride for Bahrain; can you tell us what that means to you and your proudest moment?

Riding for Bahrain means the world to me. Ever since I was a little girl, it has been a dream to wear my country’s flag in the arena and experiencing it in real life still feels surreal. Representing Bahrain and putting our flag on the map in the dressage world has always been a goal and a passion of mine.

My proudest moment so far has to be the Asian Championships in Pattaya last November. It was Bahrain’s first time qualifying and attending such a significant event, and being part of that experience was overwhelming in the best way. Walking into the arena, knowing I was riding not just for myself but for my country was a feeling I’ll never forget. A dream come true that made all the years of hard work, sacrifice, and passion feel completely worth it. Now that I have a taste of that I feel even more determined to represent my country and bring out the best I can.

Horse that hold a special place in your heart?

Every horse I’ve had the opportunity to ride or own has left a significant mark on my journey, and each is special in their own way. One that will always hold a piece of my heart is Galant, or “Gogi,” my very first pony. My parents bought him for me when he was a 4-year-old in the Netherlands, and I was 9 at the time. He’s a KWPN x Arabian mix, one of the cheekiest ponies I’ve ever ridden, but also one of the most rewarding.

I rode Gogi until I was twenty, when we decided it was time for him to take a step back. He sparked my passion for horses and taught me invaluable lessons in patience and perseverance. He was the pony that made me fall in love with riding, and his impact on my journey will never be forgotten.

 

What do you think horses have taught you and continue to teach you?

They’ve taught me patience and perseverance. They’ve shown me that progress takes time, that every horse is an individual, and that trust and understanding are earned, not demanded. Horses are honest beings who reflect your energy and intentions back to you, and remind you to stay present, patient, and kind. They’ve taught me to celebrate small victories, to embrace mistakes as lessons, and to never stop striving to improve both as a rider and as a person. I’ve tried many sports in my life, but none have been as intense or as mentally demanding as dressage.

 

Your future goals?

My future goals are to become an international Grand Prix rider and to continue producing and training both horses and riders. Upcoming goals are Asian Games 2026 in Japan and U25 debut.

Your Top Tip

Take your time, don’t rush, and trust the process. Just because you don’t see results in two weeks or even two months doesn’t mean your work isn’t paying off. Dressage is a sport of patience and commitment, it requires giving your time and energy fully. Stay focused on your goals, enjoy the journey, and always believe in yourself.

 

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?

Don’t focus on what other riders are doing; keep your head down and keep working. In the end, hard work and dedication always speak for themselves.

 

It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?

Dressage takes a team, and I’m incredibly lucky to have such a strong support network. My trainers, grooms, vets, and family are all essential pieces of the puzzle. Each of them plays a vital role in my journey and without any one of them it simply wouldn’t be possible.