Doha, February 01 (QNA) – The activities of the Third Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2023) started on Wednesday. The Festival is being organized by the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) under the generous patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The opening day of the event witnessed the Katara International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show categories. It will take place till February 4. KIAHF 2023 Day 1 for Yearling Fillies Section A (Class 1A) was won by Zaina Al Wajba (Al Wajba Stud) 91.44 points (won by type); Sabah Al Nasser (Al Nasser Stud) 91.44 points; and Namaria El Aliya (Al Alya Stud; Owned by Sheikh Meeshal bin Eissa Al Thani) 91.25 points.
Yearling Fillies Section A (Class 1B) was won by Lateen Al Danat (Al Danat Stud) 91.94 points, D E’Nayah (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud) 91.63 points, and Hala Al Hilaliya (Owned by Barrak Yaqoub Al Hajeri) 91.38 points.
Fillies 2 Years Old Section A (Class 2A) was won by D A’Beer (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud) 92.44 points, Leena Al Nasser (Al Nasser Stud) 92.19 points, and AK Dana (Owned by Abdulla Khalifa JA Al Kuwari) 91.69 points.
Katara General Manager and Chairman of KIAHF’s Organizing Committee Dr. Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said: “The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival has become a milestone and a distinctive mark within the series of Katara Festivals and its activities throughout the year. KIAHF is presented in a more distinctive way, befitting the ancient history of Qatar and enriching the authentic heritage of Qatari equestrian sport.”
He added, “Since the launch of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, we have set clear goals that we have strived to achieve. In addition to preserving our authentic heritage, there have been efforts to make this festival among the most famous international horse show festivals.”
He stressed that KIAHF has the participation of world’s best purebred Arabian horses judged according to highest standards of arbitration. KIAHF also makes the State of Qatar a global center for auctions of the most authentic and highest quality Arabian horses.
The Festival witnessed visits of HH Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan Al Saud, and HE Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Qatar Najib bin Yahya Al Balushi.
Bader Muhammad Al Darwish, President, Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), Acting CEO, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), and KIAHF Title Show Manager, praised the cooperation and partnership between Katara, QREC, QEF and Al Shaqab – Member, Qatar Foundation, and the great efforts made by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, in making KIAHF one of the best equestrian events in the world.
Al Darwish said the opening day’s competitions emphasized the strength of the competitions in all categories. He noted that the great success achieved by KIAHF in the past two editions was due to the team spirit of the organizing committee.
He also hoped that Qatar’s successes in hosting the world championships for horses would continue, especially since 2023 will also witness Katara hosting the 2023 and 2025 editions of the World Championships for Purebred Arabian Horses in December – to be held for the first time outside the French capital Paris in 40 years.
KIAHF 2023 carries a total prize-money of QR 17,083,500 and has the participation of 18 countries.
The KIAHF 2023 International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show has a total prize of QR 3,093,500 and also has plenty of other in-kind prizes for various categories.
KIAHF 2023 presents more than 30 events and activities at the festival site on the Katara Corniche.
Horse owners and breeders, individuals and associations that own equestrian training centers and those concerned with Arabian horse institutions benefit greatly from the opportunity by participating in the largest gathering of purebred Arabian horses at KIAHF which provides them with the platform to develop their business by meeting major stakeholders in the equestrian industry.
Horse owners and breeders participate with confidence in KIAHF where the highest standards of integrity and fairness are applied and the championships are subject to arbitration systems according to specified standards and clear rules globally recognized by the ECAHO (European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations) and with an international jury of judges.
Organized in cooperation with Qatar Equestrian Federation and Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, and with the participation of more than 481 horses, the Festival is scheduled to come to a close on Feb. 11. (QNA)