Tribune News Network
Doha
The 3rd edition of the glorious Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2023), held under the generous patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, concluded with a gripping finale of the prestigious Title Show which set the arena alight at the Katara Esplanade on Saturday evening.
The championship competitions were attended by a number of dignitaries, including His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, in addition to the visit of a number of Their Excellencies Ambassadors, including His Excellency Amr Kamal El-Din El-Sherbiny, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Qatar, and His Excellency Dmitry Dugadkin, Ambassador of Russia to Qatar.
On this occasion, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Festival and General Manager, Cultural Village Foundation-Katara, praised the success and distinction achieved in the third edition of KIAHF, which succeeded in being one of the most prominent international festivals of purebred Arabian horses. He stressed that it highlights the importance and value of equestrianism in the State of Qatar, which is making great efforts to preserve the cultural and sports stock of equestrian as a long ancestral history of the country.
He said that with this great festival, Katara has become a global destination, as it attracted top horse owners, breeders and those interested in the field of Arabian horses.
HE Prof. Dr. Khalid Al Sulaiti also expressed solidarity with those affected by the devastating earthquake in both Syria and Turkey.
The KIAHF closing ceremony was therefore cancelled and HE Prof. Dr. Al-Sulaiti announced that the proceeds of Katara restaurants 0f Saturday, February 11, will be allocated in favour of those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, noting the presence of donation boxes at the festival site and a bank card service for those who wanted to contribute for the
affected in these difficult circumstances.
The class of Qatar’s Arabian horses stood out with as many as they took the top honours in five of the six championship classes (three of these of Al Shaqab; and one each of Al Jassimya Farm and Al Wajba Stud); while one class was won by Ajman Stud of the UAE.
Qatar’s Shahalel Al Shaqab of Al Shaqab (Member Qatar Foundation) won gold in the Yearling Fillies Championship (Class YFC); D Beisan (Owned by Al Shaqab Stud – Qatar) won gold in the Junior Fillies Championship (Class JFC); Lehon (Owned by Al Jassimya Farm) won gold in the Junior Colts Championship (Class JCC); Mozn Albidayer (Owned by Al Wajba Stud) won gold in the Senior Mares Championship (Class SMC); while Excalibur E.A. (Owned by Al Shaqab — Member Qatar Foundation) claimed gold in the Senior Stallions Championship (Class SSC).
The champion mare and stallion classes winners received prizes of QAR 1mn, QAR 600,000 and QAR 300,000 for the top three places respectively besides valuable in-kind prizes from the sponsors.
Junior mares and filles’ classes first three winners received QAR 800,000, QAR 430,000 and QAR 250,000 respectively besides valuable in-kind prizes.
Yearling fillies and mares’ classes podium finishers were awarded QAR 250,000, QAR 150,000 and QAR 100,000 respectively besides valuable in-kind prizes.
Bader Muhammad Al-Darwish, President of Qatar Equestrian Federation, Acting CEO of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, and KIAHF Title Show Manager, also praised the success achieved by the festival in three consecutive editions, thanks to the cooperation and partnership between the Cultural Village-Katara, QEF and the QREC and Al Shaqab, Member Qatar Foundation.
He said that the equestrian focus in Qatar will now shift to the most prestigious HH The Amir Sword Festival to be staged from February 16-18 at the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club and the Qatar Equestrian Federation for horseracing and showjumping events and the endurance race.
Qatar will also host the World Championship for Purebred Arabian Horses in December 2023 – a result of an agreement signed by Katara with the National Center for Agricultural Exhibitions and Competitions in France.
Katara will host the 2023 and 2025 editions of the championship to be held for the first time outside France in 40 years.
KIAHF 2023 Title Show Results
Yearling Fillies Championship (Class YFC): Gold: Shahalel Al Shaqab of Al Shaqab (Member Qatar Foundation); Silver: D Aserah of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud; Bronze: SF Nora of Al Jassimya Farm
Yearling Colts Championship (Class YCC): Gold: AJ Sayer (Owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi); Silver: D Hayel of Al Thamer Stud; Bronze: Sarab Ajmal (Owned by Turki Mohammed Abdulrahman Alothman - Ajmal Stud)
Junior Fillies Championship (Class JFC)
Gold: D Beisan (Owned by Al Shaqab Stud – Qatar); Silver: AJ Kayya (Owned by Ajman Stud - HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi); Bronze: D Najlah (Owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud – UAE)
Junior Colts Championship (Class JCC): Gold: Lehon (Owned by Al Jassimya Farm); Silver: D Sharar (Owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud); Bronze: D Shahhar (Owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud)
Senior Mares Championship (Class SMC): Gold: Mozn Albidayer (Owned by Al Wajba Stud); Silver: Noft Al Nayfat (Owned by Aljassimya Farm); Bronze: Basandrasettimocielo (Owned by Ajman Stud — HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi)
Senior Stallions Championship (Class SSC): Gold: Excalibur E.A. (Owned by Al Shaqab — Member Qatar Foundation); Silver: Sultan Al Zobara (Owned by Nasser Ali A A Al Misnad); Bronze: Amaar (Owned by Al Dana Stud).
