Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, special adviser to HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, a team of internationally renowned experts with specialist knowledge in a wide range of subjects including equine welfare and behavioural studies, genetics and cultural heritage, will assemble in Qatar for the 2014 World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO) conference which begins on Monday, 10 November.

The Qatar Foundation and the Qatar National Research Fund are supporting two presentations to be delivered by Prof Tadeusz Majda and Dr Doug Antczak attending from Poland and the USA respectively, who will be joined by speakers from France and the United Kingdom.

Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Chairman, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh al-Thani said, “We are delighted to be hosting some of the world’s leading authorities in their respective fields and look forward to some very informative and enlightening presentations.

“To complement the conference we will be inviting delegates to visit some of Qatar’s major stud farms and training centres providing a rare opportunity to see such a high concentration of quality Arabian breeding stock, race and show horses anywhere in the world.”

The ten-day event will incorporate racing at Al Rayyan Racecourse, Doha, where the race programme on Wednesday, 12 November will feature the WAHO Conference Qatar Cup, an 1800m contest for Purebred Arabian maidens, and the inaugural running of the Jay Stream Cup, a memorial race named in tribute to the first WAHO President widely acknowledged as the most influential figure, regarding the development of worldwide agreement on the registration and record keeping of the Arabian Purebred horse.

Confirmed speakers and topics

Dr Doug Antczak, Cornell University, USA

Overview of the new research project on the genetics of the Arabian horse, sponsored by the Qatar National Research Fund

Cynthia Culbertson, USA

Bedouin Traditions and their relevance today

Dr Martine Hausberger, France

How our perception of horse behaviour affects their welfare

Elizabeth J Launders, UK

The rider or trainer’s influence, negative and positive, on horse performance

Dr Jean-Louis Leclerc, France

Improving the welfare of the endurance horses in training and competition

Dr Clemence Lesimple, France

Improving horses’ health and welfare through adapted management practices

Prof Tadeusz Majda, Poland

The Count Rzewuski Manuscript and its translation into English and Arabic, sponsored by the Qatar Foundation.

Roland Owers, World Horse Welfare

Horse Welfare: A Global View

 

Related Story