The Art of Living More Than One Passion

Saudi artist, equestrian and competitive fencer Salwa Abuljadayel has built a journey that moves between the racing track, the fencing strip, the art studio and some of Saudi Arabia's biggest events.

Some careers follow a clear path. Others are shaped by a collection of passions that gradually come together to create something entirely individual.

For Salwa Abuljadayel, that journey has moved across horse racing, competitive sport, visual art, theatre and major event operations. Each part of her story may appear different at first, but together they reveal a professional life built around creativity, competition and culture.

Her connection to horses began long before her professional career. As a second-generation horse owner, Salwa carries forward a family legacy in horse racing. Her late father, Saeed Abuljadayel, was also involved in the sport, making horses and racing an important part of her personal history.

That connection eventually became part of her professional journey. Salwa has worked with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia since the first edition of The Saudi Cup in 2020. Over the years, she has taken on responsibilities across media and event operations and currently supervises event operations. Her work has given her a behind-the-scenes view of one of Saudi Arabia's most significant international sporting events. But horse racing is only one part of her story.

Salwa's academic background began in the creative world. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Emerson College in Boston, where her studies covered different aspects of performance and creative production. She later continued her education at SOAS University of London, completing a master's degree in History of Art and Archaeology in 2023.

It was during her time in London that another unexpected chapter began.

Salwa took up épée fencing and quickly moved into competitive sport. In 2022, she earned a gold medal at the London Region Summer Competition. After returning to Saudi Arabia, she continued training and competing, participating in the Saudi Fencing Championship and the Saudi Games.

Fencing introduced another form of discipline into a life already shaped by horses and creativity. The sport requires focus, strategy and precision, qualities that also appear throughout her professional and artistic work.

Art has remained another important part of Salwa's identity. Her paintings explore the relationship between humans and animals, often using ink and watercolor to create narratives around movement, connection and character. Her work has also found a natural connection with her passion for horse racing. She helped curate a tribute to Prince Khalid bin Abdullah and exhibited paintings connected to legendary figures from the world of racing.

Beyond these individual pursuits, Salwa has also contributed to the production of major events during a transformative period for Saudi Arabia's entertainment and cultural sectors. Her experience includes Riyadh Season, Diriyah Season, Formula E, the Dakar Rally, The Saudi Cup and major international concerts held in the Kingdom.

She has also worked as a creative advisor at Suraya Productions. One of the projects connected to her creative work was a short animated film that was screened during the Cannes Film Festival and later featured at the Venice Production Bridge.

What makes Salwa's journey distinctive is that she has not chosen to define herself through a single profession. She has allowed different interests to develop alongside one another.

She is an artist who understands performance and storytelling. An equestrian with a personal connection to Saudi horse racing. A competitive athlete who took on the demanding world of fencing. And a professional who has worked behind the scenes to deliver major events.

Together, these experiences reflect a generation of Saudis creating careers that do not necessarily fit into one traditional category.

For Salwa Abuljadayel, sport, art and culture are not separate worlds. They are different expressions of the same drive to create, compete and continue exploring what comes next.

HerStory celebrates Salwa Abuljadayel for building a journey across sport, creativity and culture, and for proving that a career does not always have to follow just one path.