Welcome to the Dressage Demonstration hosted by George Martin, Karla Deir, and Alia Alssaf Academy. We are thrilled to have you join us for a day of equestrian elegance and education.

Today’s Schedule

10:00 AM: Introduction

10:15 AM: First Horse

10:55 AM: Second Horse

11:35 AM: First Q&A Session

11:50 AM: Lunch Break

12:45 PM: Third Horse

1:25 PM: Fourth Horse

2:05 PM: Second Q&A Session

2:20 PM: Conclusion

TODAYS HORSES

April

Bay mare

8 years old

Breed: Iris thoroughbred, imported from Ireland.

Very sweet horse. Used for the riding school as a confidence booster horse.

Midnight Dreamer (Lexi)

Chestnut mare

11 years old

Breed: German warmbood x Syrian Arabian

Recreational riding in the past started focusing on dressage six months ago. Recently done her first dressage test (introductory)

Sweet mare, still very green.

Kirain

Bay mare

Breed: Iraki Arabian

14 years old

Ex endurance horse but started a few years ago to focus on dressage

Bentley

Grey Stallion

Breed: pre (Spanish) x Arabian

13 years old

He was a rescue horse many years ago. He started dressage a few years ago to build his muscles and has recently been doing lateral work as well.

About Karla and George:

Karla is currently Jordan's sole international dressage rider. She was the first dressage rider in history to compete internationally under the Jordanian Flag.

Karla is a Jordanian and British national and is immensely proud to ride for Jordan. She hopes to motivate, inspire, and encourage more men and women in Jordan and the Middle East to get involved with dressage and to pave the way for aspiring Jordanian dressage riders to compete nationally and internationally.

George brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. His career began in the eventing world, where he competed internationally; George decided to shift his focus solely to dressage. He has successfully trained and competed numerous horses up to the highest levels of dressage throughout his journey. George is Karla’s trainer and finds great joy in the intricate training process, focusing on kind, consistent, and correct training.

About Alia Alssaf Academy

Located in the beautiful Jordanian countryside, the Alia Alssaf Academy is dedicated to cultivating a love for horses through world-class equestrian education. The academy is a beacon of Western equestrian standards in the region, promoting skills in horseback riding, horse care, and overall horsemanship. With a team of passionate professionals and a troop of magnificent horses, they aim to nurture confident, thoughtful equestrians who can apply their learning across all areas of life. Safety and horse welfare are the cornerstones of our operation, ensuring a supportive environment for all.

Dressage in Jordan

The passion for dressage in Jordan is growing, capturing the hearts of equestrian enthusiasts nationwide. Karla and George aim to elevate the sport’s profile within Jordan and position it prominently on the international stage. Their dreams are not just dreams but concrete goals—reaching the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles personally and in time with a team to represent Jordan.

While Karla and George benefit from the rich equestrian landscape of the UK, known for its exceptional dressage training and competitive circuits, they are keenly aware that the foundation of international success begins at home. It is essential that Jordan develops its own comprehensive training infrastructure to nurture talent from the ground up. This involves developing a deep understanding of dressage principles, from basic horsemanship to advanced competitive strategies.

Today’s demonstration is a pivotal step toward this goal. It is part of a broader initiative to establish regular, structured training sessions that enhance technical skills and build a community around dressage. These sessions are designed to ignite a passion for the sport and develop the skills athletes need to compete on the world stage. By fostering local talent and deepening the understanding of dressage, Karla and George hope to inspire a new generation of Jordanian riders to pursue dressage.

Their commitment extends beyond individual training to include creating educational pathways, promoting horse welfare, and advocating for the values of respect and empathy within the sport. The ultimate aim is to see dressage flourish in Jordan, with technically proficient riders and ambassadors of the sport’s elegance and discipline internationally. This growing interest and foundation in dressage will lay the groundwork for the future.