Kamal Bahamdam

Riding since the age of seven, Kamal took further riding lessons in the United Kingdom every summer, and then started competing in local equestrian events, often against compatriots Ramzy Al-Duhami and Khaled Al-Eid. Whilst studying then working in finance in the United States he competed on the East Coast circuit, where he came to the attention of Ziyad Abduljawad, now managing director of Saudi Equestrian. In 2004, he moved his riding base to Valkenswaard, Netherlands, making his international competition debut in the same year, but competing only on a part-time basis.

After winning the team and individual gold at the 2004 Pan Arab Games, he won the team gold and individual silver medal at the 2011 Pan Arab Games in Doha. Having competed at the Summer Olympics in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, after the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, he decided to concentrate full-time in the lead-up to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, working with Jan Tops. With the Saudi team coached by Stanny Van Paesschen, the team won bronze and Bahamdan came fourth in the individual event. He has since entered the Longines Global Champions Tour, winning the 2013 Riyadh Grand Prix with Noblesse des Tess.

In 2013 he was appointed to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) Jumping committee, for an initial four year period. In February 2014 he was named runner-up in the Arriyadiyah Awards for Sports Excellence, presented by Prince Nawaf bin Faisal.