Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
HORSES staying cool in a swimming pool or flexing muscle on a treadmill are a common sight at Al Shaqab, the state-of-the-art equestrian centre in Qatar and home to majority of the country’s champion horses.
On Wednesday, a number of residents had a chance to see some of the prized Arabian breeds of the country and tour the main facilities of the 980,000 square-metre horseshoe shaped equestrian centre following a lecture on ‘The History of Horses in Qatar’, hosted by the Qatar National Library in keeping with the library’s July focus on animals.
The lecture was led by Fahad al Marri, Protocol and International Relations coordinator at Al Shaqab, who provided an insight into the rich history and important role of Arabian horses in Qatari society for many centuries, as well as the cultural legacy promoted by Al Shaqab through its programmes and facilities.
Speaking to the local media on the sidelines of the lecture, Marri said there are more than 1,000 horses receiving exemplary care at Al Shaqab. According to him, 14 out of 17 awards won by Qatar in a horse show in Paris were from Al Shaqab.
"Many people from different countries visit Al Shaqab to see our Arabian horses whom we consider as among the luckiest in the world for receiving the best facilities. Our facility is like a palace for the horses,” Marri remarked.
During the tour, the attendees experienced some of the top notch facilities at Al Shaqab, including the VIP Lounge and the Royal Majlis from where members of the royal family and diplomats in the country enjoy horse competitions.
The residents were also welcomed to the Equine Exercise Centre, featuring facilities like the equine horse walker for reducing the risk of paddock injuries and to save time and effort to train many horses at the same time and the aquine swimming pools for improved metabolism, blood flow and oxygen-intake of the animals.
A tour was also given inside the Amir’s Stable where the champion horses live and receive the highest care. Other impressive facilities of Al Shaqab include its Indoor Arena, which currently holds summer camp, the Al Shaqab Hotel which hosts international guests and horse riders during competitions, breeding centre and the Marwan Club, a health and family facilities.
Al Shaqab also boasts of having one of the biggest horse hospitals in the Middle East. According to a member of Al Shaqab Protocol team, there is a plan to open the hospital not just for horses, but also for other animals in the future.
The Al Shaqab team is encouraging members of the public, including families and students, to book a tour at Al Shaqab through their website. The tours are available on weekdays free of charge and aimed at educating the public on the equestrian culture, Al Shaqab’s popular riding academy and other programmes of the premier institution.
DOHA
HORSES staying cool in a swimming pool or flexing muscle on a treadmill are a common sight at Al Shaqab, the state-of-the-art equestrian centre in Qatar and home to majority of the country’s champion horses.
On Wednesday, a number of residents had a chance to see some of the prized Arabian breeds of the country and tour the main facilities of the 980,000 square-metre horseshoe shaped equestrian centre following a lecture on ‘The History of Horses in Qatar’, hosted by the Qatar National Library in keeping with the library’s July focus on animals.
The lecture was led by Fahad al Marri, Protocol and International Relations coordinator at Al Shaqab, who provided an insight into the rich history and important role of Arabian horses in Qatari society for many centuries, as well as the cultural legacy promoted by Al Shaqab through its programmes and facilities.
Speaking to the local media on the sidelines of the lecture, Marri said there are more than 1,000 horses receiving exemplary care at Al Shaqab. According to him, 14 out of 17 awards won by Qatar in a horse show in Paris were from Al Shaqab.
"Many people from different countries visit Al Shaqab to see our Arabian horses whom we consider as among the luckiest in the world for receiving the best facilities. Our facility is like a palace for the horses,” Marri remarked.
During the tour, the attendees experienced some of the top notch facilities at Al Shaqab, including the VIP Lounge and the Royal Majlis from where members of the royal family and diplomats in the country enjoy horse competitions.
The residents were also welcomed to the Equine Exercise Centre, featuring facilities like the equine horse walker for reducing the risk of paddock injuries and to save time and effort to train many horses at the same time and the aquine swimming pools for improved metabolism, blood flow and oxygen-intake of the animals.
A tour was also given inside the Amir’s Stable where the champion horses live and receive the highest care. Other impressive facilities of Al Shaqab include its Indoor Arena, which currently holds summer camp, the Al Shaqab Hotel which hosts international guests and horse riders during competitions, breeding centre and the Marwan Club, a health and family facilities.
Al Shaqab also boasts of having one of the biggest horse hospitals in the Middle East. According to a member of Al Shaqab Protocol team, there is a plan to open the hospital not just for horses, but also for other animals in the future.
The Al Shaqab team is encouraging members of the public, including families and students, to book a tour at Al Shaqab through their website. The tours are available on weekdays free of charge and aimed at educating the public on the equestrian culture, Al Shaqab’s popular riding academy and other programmes of the premier institution.
