The young showjumping prodigy carrying the dreams and pride of the UAE to the Olympics

Soaring over hurdles in Hangzhou, China, last October, Omar Al Marzouqi made history. Meanwhile, 4,000 miles away in Abu Dhabi, his sister participated in a Zoom lecture to help him take notes for his next big leap.

As the Paris Olympics draw nearer, 21-year-old Omar Al Marzouqi is establishing himself as the UAE's showjumping sensation, all while showcasing remarkable multitasking skills.

At the Asian Games in China, Al Marzouqi earned two medals – a silver in individual competition and a team bronze – contributing to the UAE's historic three-medal achievement. Just months later, he completed his double bachelor’s degree in philosophy and sociology.

As Al Marzouqi competed in events around the world, his schedule often found him battling through different time zones, all while balancing his studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, a challenging final year of academic life.

Despite the challenges, Al Marzouqi made it work – with a little help from his sister.

“I set ambitious goals for myself and strive to achieve them … the support I received from my family was beyond incredible,” he shared with Dinogo.

For Al Marzouqi, showjumping has always been a family tradition, as he first hopped onto a pony at just three years old.

At just 12 years old, Al Marzouqi experienced his first international competition, a swift ascent guided by the expertise of his father, a former rider who had trained some of the country's top jumpers before shifting his focus to his son.

Al Marzouqi draws inspiration from many figures in the sport, including Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, but his father stands as his ultimate role model, with the pair running their own stables together.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to have my dad as my coach,” he said. “He was tough on me for a long time, but it definitely paid off in the end.”

In 2018, his father was moved to tears as he watched his son raise his silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Argentina, making history as the first Emirati to ever reach the podium at the event.

At just 15, Al Marzouqi was the youngest rider in the field at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Fast forward to 2024, and he’s not only accustomed to being asked about his age by amazed competitors, he embraces it.

“Show jumping is more than just a sport to me; it’s my way of life.”

Al Marzouqi is gearing up for his greatest challenge yet at the Paris Olympics this month, where he will proudly carry the UAE flag during the opening ceremony on July 26, marking the nation's first-ever equestrian team at the Games.

The UAE’s entry into the equestrian event is a landmark achievement for the nation, where horsemanship has deep roots within the Bedouin culture and where horses are celebrated as a national symbol, often featured in the annual National Day festivities.

For Al Marzouqi, being part of this proud tradition is a true honor. “Show jumping is my lifestyle. Horses are incredible creatures. It’s a challenging sport, because you’re riding an animal that can be easily startled. You have to master both your own focus and your horse’s instincts to succeed, especially during those crucial 60 seconds... it’s a lot of work.”

The young rider has had three months to forge a deep bond with his horse, Enjoy de la Mure, a partnership solidified by their Grand Prix victory in Montefalco, Italy, this past May.

This victory propels him to Paris with a renewed sense of confidence, as he chases what could be a remarkable medal.

Only twice in history has an athlete from the UAE stood on the Olympic podium: shooter Ahmed Al Maktoum, who won gold at Athens 2004, and judo's Sergiu Toma, who took home a bronze in Rio 2016.

Although Al Marzouqi can’t help but imagine the moment a medal hangs around his neck, the 21-year-old remains grounded when it comes to his chances.

"For any athlete, winning an Olympic medal would feel like living a dream," he shared.

"The team is strong, the horses are in great shape, but we’ll need a bit of luck on the day. Of course, I’m hoping for a medal, but above all, I want to represent my country with pride and give them a reason to be proud of me," he added.