Dubai: Chief organiser Qusai Obaidallah believes that the participation of some of the best Purebred Arabian champions from around the world has put the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship (DIAHC) firmly on the global map.
The three-day horse show, which opens on Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will showcase the beauty, agility and heritage of the Purebred Arabians.
As many as 220 of the highest rated show horses from 20 countries registered with the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO) will compete in 16 qualifying classes with the best of the best going forward to the six championship finals on Saturday.
Speaking on the eve of the event, Obaidallah said: “This year the game plan was to attract only the very best Arabian horses to our show and in order to do that we raised the standard of qualification.
“As a result the show that closes the season in the Gulf has become an elitist show as all the horses competing for a total prize fund of $4 million, have qualified from the most prestigious and important shows in the world.”
Obaidallah said that it was always the goal of DIAHC patron Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, to make the event one of the best Arabian horse shows in the Middle East.
“The high standard of our show puts us on a different level to other shows,” said Obaidallah. “Having champions from countries like Austria, Denmark, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Poland, South Africa and the UK participating here in Dubai is big.
“I think the DIAHC is up there now with all the other major shows in the world — the Nations Cup, Paris World Cup and so on.
“We’re extremely pleased that the organising committee have managed to achieve its goals,” he added. “All the feedback we have received has been really positive and owners, breeders and stud farms, have been saying how well organised the show is.
“It’s great to see everybody in the Arabian horse show business banding together in Dubai and we wish all the participants the very best of luck over the next three days.”
Meanwhile, the Dubai International Arabian Horse Fair, the Middle East’s largest Arabian equestrian event, will be also held at the DWT Conference Centre. The fair provides a lucrative trade platform for the multibillion dollar equine industry including owners, breeders, stables, clubs, veterinarians and professional and leisure riders.
Organisers have ensured there is plenty of entertainment and fun for visitors, which can indulge in a petting zoo, pony show jumping, Spanish horse “ballet”, equestrian art gallery, heritage village and more.
The Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF) also attracts a host of global and regional equine industry players across the globe this week. In addition, aspirant horse riders of all ages, and families, are set to enjoy a range of entertainment and educational activities over the three days.
At a glance
What: Dubai International Arabian Horse Festival & Horse Fair
When: March 15-17
Where: Dubai World Trade Centre, Zabeel Halls 4-6.
Entrance: Free to the public
