Linda Krockenberger co-founded the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC) -- the first licensed school for camel riding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Linda Krockenberger co-founded the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC) -- the first licensed school for camel riding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Linda Krockenberger/ADCRC
When Krockenberger moved from Germany to the UAE in 2015 she wanted to learn to ride dromedary camels, but she found that men wouldn't teach her, because she was a woman.
When Krockenberger moved from Germany to the UAE in 2015 she wanted to learn to ride dromedary camels, but she found that men wouldn't teach her, because she was a woman.
Linda Krockenberger/ADCRC
Camels are synonymous with the Arabian Peninsula. For thousands of years, people in the region have used domesticated dromedary camels to support their lives in challenging desert environments. Camel riding remains an important cultural practice in the UAE. According to Krockenberger camels are incredibly hardy but also sensitive and emotional creatures.
Camels are synonymous with the Arabian Peninsula. For thousands of years, people in the region have used domesticated dromedary camels to support their lives in challenging desert environments. Camel riding remains an important cultural practice in the UAE. According to Krockenberger camels are incredibly hardy but also sensitive and emotional creatures.
Linda Krockenberger/ADCRC
Camels in the UAE continue to play key roles in entertainment and sports. The animals are raced (with robot jockeys) and ridden in polo matches. Pictured: camels equipped with robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.
Camels in the UAE continue to play key roles in entertainment and sports. The animals are raced (with robot jockeys) and ridden in polo matches. Pictured: camels equipped with robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
Camel beauty pageants draw big crowds, and offer prizes for the prettiest animals. Pictured: An award-winning "beauty queen" camel has its face daubed with saffron.
Camel beauty pageants draw big crowds, and offer prizes for the prettiest animals. Pictured: An award-winning "beauty queen" camel has its face daubed with saffron.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
Krockenberger says camel riding isn't just a sport, but a meditative practice that requires riders to build relationships and trust with the animals in order to ride them.
Krockenberger says camel riding isn't just a sport, but a meditative practice that requires riders to build relationships and trust with the animals in order to ride them.
Linda Krockenberger/ADCRC
In November 2021, Krockenberger established the first official all-female camel racing team in the UAE. The members raced each other in the national camel racing championships, the C1. Pictured: the winning riders receiving their awards.
In November 2021, Krockenberger established the first official all-female camel racing team in the UAE. The members raced each other in the national camel racing championships, the C1. Pictured: the winning riders receiving their awards.
Linda Krockenberger/ADCRC
Emirati women are increasingly taking an interest in camel riding, according to Krockenberger. "There's a really strong notion from Emirati women to cultivate or remember and rediscover their heritage," she says. "And camel riding is a way that they can do that." Pictured, Regular riders at the school take an evening ride in Al Lisaili.
Emirati women are increasingly taking an interest in camel riding, according to Krockenberger. "There's a really strong notion from Emirati women to cultivate or remember and rediscover their heritage," she says. "And camel riding is a way that they can do that." Pictured, Regular riders at the school take an evening ride in Al Lisaili.
Linda Krockenberger/ADCRC