Dubai: Ajman Stud’s Ghadeer AM drew first blood when winning the Yearling Fillies A show on the opening day of the 15th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship (DIAHC) on Thursday.
A bay filly bred at the Al Mohammadia Stud, Ghadeer AM impressed her seven judges with her near perfect conformation and graceful movement to score 92,40 points.
The B division went to Dubai Arabian Horse Stud’s Asayef, who was a narrow winner over Al Baydaa Stud’s Madinat Al Baydaa and Badawia Al Muawd, who was bred at the Al Muawd Stud.
The judges had a hard time picking the winner with only .20 points separating the top three.
It was a busy day at the Dubai World Trade Centre halls with several qualifying competitions taking place over two sessions, morning and evening.
Earlier, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, formally inaugurated the Championship and the 14th Dubai International Horse Fair — simultaneous events running at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until March 17.
Held over three days, the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship is a showcase and competition of the heritage, beauty and agility of the world’s finest Arabian horses, with total prize money of $4 million (Dh15 million).
“We thank His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their ongoing support and patronage of the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship & Fair,” said Ziad Abdullah Galadari, Chairman, Higher Organising Committee of Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship.
“The Middle East is globally-recognised as an equestrian hub and world-class events hosted in the UAE continue to showcase the legendary grace, beauty, speed and power of Arabian thoroughbreds in an accessible, family-orientated environment.”
In addition to showcasing the region’s lucrative equine industry, the Dubai International Horse Fair will provide several exciting activities for families and the general public including an equestrian-themed Art Gallery and a celebration of local culture in the form of the Heritage Village, which will showcase the UAE’s authentic cuisine, clothing, handicraft and calligraphy. Adding to the excitement line-up are pony show jumping demonstrations, Spanish horse performances, a petting zoo, Dubai Police canine unit demonstrations, opportunities to adopt pets via the Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre, traditional dance routines among others.
As two of the region’s most important Arabian equine platforms, the co-located events will gather a host of global and regional equine industry players across every segment of the professional and recreational segments — from stable and horse owners, breeders, professionals and veterinarians, to service and care providers, specialist product providers, leisure riders and everyday horse enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, 100 Arabian horse breeds of best-in-class pedigree from local studs will go under the hammer at the Horse Auction for Arabian purebred horses. Held on the final day of the show (the auction is anticipated to attract hundreds of prospective regional buyers.
