Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold in equestrian competitions near Damascus for weeks - a sport once dominated by the Assad family in Syria and their inner circle.

"The result was that we had made an early decision and always favored people who were close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said.

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"My biggest ambition is to get into third place, but today, I can aim first and do a good job with SJM."

For decades, former President Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies overturned widespread privileges in a December offensive led by Thunder Islamists.

Equestrian sport soared under the leadership of Assad's late brother Brother Bassel in the 1990s, who was embellishing his father Hafez before he died in a car accident in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000.

Basel has participated in competitions at home and abroad and regards himself as Syria's "first rider".

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His profile shocked people about the focus on the sport, symbolizing the elite under Assads.

Abu al-Dahab said people close to the family had European horses, which far exceeded other competitors’ local horses.

“It is impossible to compete with the ruling family,” he said as he stepped on the beach.

- Impossible competition -

Outside the Dimas Equestrian Club near Damascus, the Basel statue still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag.

The family's control over the sport was passed on to the next generation, including Sham, the daughter of Bashar brother Maher.

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Fake competition in Syria and international competitions and often performs high.

The attention she received in the media has caused controversy, and critics see it as propaganda.

The grip on the sport has stopped some. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from the competition until Assads disappeared.

“My father forbids me (the fear of ruling the family) from practicing, and he always tells me that competing with them is impossible,” she said.

"He simply didn't want us to date the Assad family. He told me the story of equestrian, who was sentenced to jail after defeating Bassel al-Assad and didn't want me to be in danger."

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She refers to Adnan Qassar, an outstanding rider who outperformed Basel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of murdering him.

Many people think his sports success is the real reason for his arrest. 21 years later, Qassar was released under the president's pardon.

"I've been away from the sport for a long time, but it's time to come back. I'm from the Shaker Family, not the Assad Family," she said.

- "Dreams come true" -

Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, is responsible for about 240 horses, including some of Assad's former European horses.

"About 40 horses are prepared for the Assad family. No one else can get close to them," he said.

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But today, he saw new faces and became more and more interested in the sport.

“We have new skills and we find and passionate kids every day… we have a lot of drivers who are eager to compete and win championships now,” he said.

Coach Salah Al-Ahmad, 52, smiled and laughed, his son picked up the mare and spun the topsy-once ridden by Sham Al-Assad.

"He used to dream of touching her or slapping her head," Ahmed said. "Now, in this new era, the mare is with him and he has won two championships.

“It’s a dream come true.”

MAM/LK/NAD/DV