Katara General Manager, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (right) and Title Show Manager, Bader Mohammed Al Darwish during a press conference at Katara amphitheatre, yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The 2nd Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF), set from February 2 to 12, will see 239 horses from 11 countries competing for the first-ever Arabian Peninsula Horse Show.
In a press conference yesterday, Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) General Manager Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti described the upcoming festival as the manifestation of the history, culture and heritage of equestrian activities. He said the 11-day festival has become a point of attention to horse enthusiasts, and the second edition will bring a great deal of activities.
“The success of the first edition of the Katara International Festival for Purebred Arabian Horses resulted in the addition of a championship for Arabian Peninsula horses as a new addition in the second edition of the festival, in response to the passion of Arabian horse lovers and breeders. In addition to a set of accompanying and surprising events,” Dr. Al Sulaiti said.
“Katara has harnessed its great potential to host this global event to produce the most distinctive and attractive version for the largest number of audience and followers. For the second year in a row, the festival enjoys great turnout and increasing international attention, which is embodied in the large international participation to compete in strong competitions with the best and finest horse breeds that will be transported from different continents,” he added.
Moreover, he said that Arabian Horse Auction will also be conducted wherein large local and international participation was seen. An auction of rare work of arts will likewise be held, he revealed. “The great global presence achieved by the Katara Arabian Horse Festival is a reflection of what the authentic equestrian sport finds of the wise Qatari leadership, an interest that made the State of Qatar a beacon for this sport, which is a symbol of courage, nobility, pride and pride,” Dr. Al Sulaiti said.
Title Show Manager, Bader Mohammed Al Darwish meanwhile said the festival is one of the most important festivals the country is hosting this year. “This is going to be creative and reinforce among other events. The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival will be a yearly event,” he said.
Around 239 horses will be participating for the Arabian Peninsula Horse Show, 32 horses for the Arabian Horse Auction.
Another 309 horses have been registered at the Title Show competition. Horse breeders can also buy the egg from international mare during the festival.
Al Dawish said the festival has a total prize money of QR17,083,500; QR13,900,000 for Title Show alone, and QR3mn as in-kind prizes such as cars and watches provided by sponsors Nasser Bin Khaled and Ali Bin Ali Luxury.
Moreover, there will be special prizes including The Legend (Senior category) - QR3m; and Special Award for the horse which has won all categories since being a yearling which is QR2m.
The 2nd KIAHF will be held for 11 days, far longer from the first edition which lasted five days.
Al Darwish said this year’s event is a testament of the first edition where more people expressed their interest.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many participants didn’t take part in the first edition. And this year, it is going to be different,” he said.
The testaments of the top officials hold true as tickets for the 4-day package of both Arabian Peninsula Horse Show and Title Show are almost sold out.
The Arabian Peninsula Horse Show VIP Table (All Days, 5th Row) good for seven persons is the only remaining package, while for the Title Show, VIP and VVIP table eight choices package are still available.
The Arabian Peninsula Horse Show will be held from February 2 to 3; Arabian Horse Auction on February 7; and the Title Show from February 9 to 12 at Katara Esplanade.
