Kirkuk local turns her childhood love of horses into training career

KIRKUK — Rand Saad, a 20-year-old from central Kirkuk, has become a trainer at the city’s equestrian club after completing just three rounds of instruction. She now teaches horseback riding to three students, focusing on handling and control.

“I loved horses from a young age. It was just a hobby, and my family used to take me to nearby villages so I could ride and learn,” she told 964media. “But I couldn’t stay balanced on the horse or properly learn the basics.”

That changed after Saad joined Kirkuk’s newly opened equestrian club and received formal training. “Over time, I mastered horseback riding and now understand nearly everything about it,” she said.

She now instructs others on techniques for staying balanced, directing the horse’s motion, and managing movements during a ride. “Currently, I have three trainees who are doing well, and I’m proud of them,” she said.

Saad credited her mother with encouraging her to keep going, especially during difficult moments when she considered quitting. In addition to her work at the club, she is a second-year forensic science student at the College of Science and said she continues to balance her academic path with her passion for equestrianism.