While his family always believed horseback riding was just a pastime, Nadem Mouaouine saw it as a true calling. From his childhood in Agadir's riding clubs to becoming a prominent trainer in Saudi Arabia, he embarked on a challenging journey where determination proved to be his most faithful ally. His father never imagined that the small trips to the equestrian club with his son would become the beginning of a lifelong journey. To him, it was merely a pastime, entertainment for a child who loved horses. Simply put, it never crossed his mind that this fleeting passion would one day turn into a profession that would define his son's life. Nadem Mouaouine was born in Agadir, but his roots trace back to Zoumi, a small village in the province of Chefchaouen. As a child, his dream was vague but persistent: he wanted to become a coach in some kind of sport. At the age of 11, Nadem began frequenting an equestrian club near the family home. Although riding was an expensive activity, his father, a modest soldier, occasionally gave in to his son's wish and took him there. Nadem recalls, «I loved this sport, and horses too». As his face became familiar around the club, he was sometimes even allowed in free of charge. After graduating high school, Nadem decided to study and work in hospitality. But he soon realized this field was not for him. «It wasn't what I wanted or dreamed of. I didn't find myself there. It wasn't my passion, just a way to make money». Things remained that way until he came across an announcement for the opening of Morocco's first National Equestrian Institute, an opportunity that felt like life offering him another chance. A decision the family couldn't accept… but the dream was stronger Convincing his family was another story. Like many Moroccan families, they couldn't imagine a real career in equestrian sports. «In their eyes, professions were things like doctor, engineer, policeman, or teacher. My father thought horses were just a childhood phase, fun, but never a career». But Nadem was determined. In 2013, when the National Horse Institute Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat opened its doors, he applied immediately. Thanks to his early experience with horses, he was accepted. He enrolled at 26, against his family's wishes. «For them, by that age you should already have secured your future, not gone back to the classroom. But I was determined. I wanted to follow my own path, and I took on the challenge despite their disapproval». Two years of intensive training later, Nadem graduated with a diploma as an equestrian instructor. That certification officially opened the door to professional coaching. He went on to work in several clubs across Morocco, including the one he had known as a boy. In 2017, he tried to establish his own club in Essaouira. But the venture failed. It was a harsh lesson, though one that gave him valuable experience. The «Bridle» Equestrian Club : A Moroccan touch in Saudi Arabia In 2019, Nadem received an offer to work in Saudi Arabia, something he had never planned for. He accepted a one-year contract, but the job didn't meet his expectations, so he declined to renew. Still, the experience planted a new idea: launching his own club in the Kingdom. In 2021, he founded the Bridle Equestrian Club (or Al-Lijam Equestrian Club). Modest in resources but ambitious in vision, the club reflected Moroccan inspiration: the red of Marrakesh, planted trees, even a pigeon sanctuary. He brought an entire team from Morocco—trainers and assistants—to deliver high-quality coaching. «I brought the team from Morocco, and the result was exactly what I hoped for, something to be proud of». Nadem poured himself into the project, drawing on the odd jobs of his youth, painting and working alongside artisans, that gave him practical skills for construction and equipment. The club was located inside the country's largest equestrian complex, home to multiple competing clubs. The competition was fierce, and being a foreigner made things harder. But after a year and a half in Saudi Arabia, Nadem had noticed a gap: most clubs lacked modern training methods. By focusing on that, he slowly began to stand out. Bulldozers at the end of 2024 Then came the blow. In late 2024, the Saudi government ordered all stables in the area to be demolished, declaring the land state-owned and earmarked for housing projects. Nadem calls it a catastrophe: «It was hard, but what could we do? Housing takes priority over sport». In an instant, bulldozers leveled everything he had built. All he had left were his 28 horses. He sold some to cover rent for a new space. «I didn't want to just stand there and mourn the loss. I wanted to find a solution and cut my losses». The new space wasn't fully ready, but he pressed on. The horses were there, and his loyal clients followed him. He began teaching again while construction continued. «When God closes a door, He opens others». Nadem even introduced something new: remote equestrian lessons. He pitched the idea to his team, and together they created digital content and training videos. «The demand was huge. Clients from different countries stayed with us, and that makes me happy, it keeps us moving forward». Over time, even his family, long skeptical of his career choice, came to accept it. «Recently, after watching the videos I make, they started to understand little by little. They saw that what I do really is a profession, after all those years of dedication». He believes his ability with horses is a talent he inherited from his grandfather, who trained animals instinctively. But Nadem refined that gift with study and discipline. «Even though I'm a trainer now, I never stop learning. Working with horses requires expertise and sensitivity. People say I have a natural gift, and I think that's true, I inherited it from my grandfather. But I built on it with passion, study, and systematic training». Even while settled in Saudi Arabia, Nadem remains grateful to Morocco. He credits the National Equestrian Institute and his university education with opening the doors that led him to where he is today. Looking ahead, he hopes to see the Institute grow to the level of its European counterparts. He concludes proudly: «I'm proud to be here as a Moroccan who received his training in Morocco».
