DAMASCUS: For weeks, Ziad Abu Al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus — in a sport once dominated by Syria’s Assad family and their inner circle. “Results used to be decided in advance, always favoring those close to the government,” the 25-year-old rider said. “My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse.” For decades, former president Bashar Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning Islamist-led offensive in December.