Rafiq Radinal, a notable name in Indonesian Equestrian Circles, has created a home for horses, riders, friends, relatives and guests.

Saturdays at Arthayasa Stables is filled with laughter, joking and conversation punctuated by the rhythmic percussion of hoofbeats. The scene could be a family gathering, a score of people relaxing on the second-level terrace of a country home sipping coffee, soft drinks and beer.



The crowd comprises club members at Arthayasa Stables, which many regard as a second home thanks to Rafiq Radinal who developed the facility with a personal approach. Along with members, it’s an official training ground for the veterinarian students from Bogor Agriculture Institute and government quarantine officials.

Appearing casual in his riding outfit, the hospitable and good looking Rafiq is the king of person you might want to relax with, especially if you like horses. He’s the son of the late former Minister of Public Work, Radinal Moochtar. After years of studying architecture at the University of Trisakti, he continued his education in Boston University, Massachussets and New Hampshire College, United States, to receive his MBA degree.

“This stables were started as a hobby,” explains Rafiq. “Several friends and I started maintaining this place for ourselves.” In time, Rafiq got carried away with his hobby and abandoned his occupation as an architect.

The stables south of Cinere are now home to 80 horses, 40 belonging to the club and 40 owned by club members. “The stables here are for equestrian sports, “he explains.

Recently, Asian horse enthusiasts started to import sport horses from Europe. In Indonesia, Arthayasa is one of only two breeding farms that mastered the artificial insemination. They purchase the frozen semen from genetically superior purebreds with strong records on international competition to breed with local cross-breed and imported horses. “This system helps us to develop quality sport horses. In Indonesia, we do not have native horses, only ponies” said Rafiq. “The ponies directly bred with the horses do not produce the quality needed for the higher levels of equestrian sport.”

Rafiq stresses the importance of learning to ride for kids. “Slowly they learn to understand animals and how to take a good care of their horses. Riding effectively teaches kids to be brave, patient, compassionate and self-confident.”

To talk about Rafiq Radinal is to talk about his love for the horses. You could spot Rafiq spending most of his time traveling the world from tournament to tournament. Perhaps drawing from his background as an architect, he designs equestrian facilities - Arthayasa Stables (Jakarta), Kumala Stables (East Kalimantan), Muba Stables (Sekayu South Sumatra). Rafiq is also registered as an International Course Designer by Federation Equestre Internationale and holds numerous leadership positions in Southeast Asia equestrian councils. And out of the saddle he holds a black belt in tae kwon do.



In his stable – that includes cottages and trails sprawling over some 12 hectares – he takes a keen interest as the eldest of his two sons plays with the horses. On another field, a teenage girl is practicing a show jump with a horse. Meanwhile, an Austrian guy jokes that his horse is a mixture of Einstein and Marilyn Monroe – only it was blessed with Einstein’s body and Marilyn Monroe’ brain. A trailer rumbles through, carrying a horse that just finished a tour of holiday duty with Santa in Plaza Indonesia. Life within Arthayasa Stables is an animated as the community beyond.

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