HH The Emir 23rd International Equestrian Sword Festival, which is being held under the patronage of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, got off to a spectacular start at the outdoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation on Thursday.
Renowned equestrian showman Mario Luraschi and his team produced a dazzling display on horseback during the opening ceremony which mesmerised the packed galleries.
Combining stunts and horsemanship, the team recreated some wonderful moments which threw light on the development of the relationship between man and horse.
The show was filled with flair and sparkle, making for a delightful spectacle. The stunts drew tremendous applause. The acrobatic mounts and dismounts by the riders kept the audience in awe.
There was also a performance by Qatar Armed Forces band and a German team’s fire display.
“This was the first time that I witnessed a show like this. It was really amazing to see Luraschi and team perform such acts which I thought was impossible. The highlight of the show was the way the horses danced to the music. Even the firework display by the Germans was great and entertaining. QREC has done really well to bring such acts to Qatar and we hope that they continue to do so in the future,” a delighted equestrian fan Shaik Mahboob told the Gulf Times.
QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain declared open the eight-day festival. Speaking on the occasion, Sami thanked HH the Emir for his continued support for Equestrian sport. “On behalf of QREC and myself, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the unlimited support to Qatar sports, especially equestrian sport being the sport of our forefathers, which has seen massive progress at all levels over the recent years.
“This year, the Festival acquires special significance as it features HH the Emir Trophies and Sword, making it the most valuable edition. It is the only festival in the world that involves various equestrian events and disciplines over eight days,” Sami added.
This year the Festival includes the Purebred Arabian Horse Show, the Straight Egyptian Arabian Horse Show and a range of international races, which culminate with HH The Emir Trophies and Sword Day.
Sami also thanked the sponsors for their support in raising the level of racing in Qatar. “I would like also to thank the sponsors Total E & P Qatar, Longines, Al Emadi Enterprises, Qatari Diar Real Estate Company, Qatar Petroleum, Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) and AL KASS TV for their remarkable role in making the Festival a success.”
The Festival will conclude with the running of HH The Emir’s Sword, a QR three million race for Group I Pure Arabian, which is expected to have a top class field.