* Event has total prize money of over QR17mn
 
 
Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation has announced that the second edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) 2022 will be held from February 2 to 12 under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at Katara Esplanade in conjunction with Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), and Qatar Foundation.
A media briefing was held in this regard at the Katara Amphitheatre on Sunday, which was addressed by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara; Bader Mohamed Aal-Darwish, Title Show manager of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival; and representatives of the sponsoring companies - Nasser Bin Khaled Group (Diamond Sponsor), Vodafone Qatar (Telecom Sponsor), Qatar Insurance Group (Platinum Sponsor), Ahlibank (Exclusive Banking Sponsor), Ali Bin Ali Luxury (Titanium Sponsor), Al Kass (Media Sponsor), White Event Company (Social Media Sponsor) and Qommunication (Social Media Sponsor).
Qatar Airways is the official Airline Sponsor of KIAHF 2022.
This year’s KIAHF will be held over a total of 11 days and include the Arabian Peninsula Horse Show (February 2-5), Arabian Horse Auction (February 7), and the Title Show (February 9-12).
Announcing the launch of the second edition of KIAHF 2022, Dr al-Sulaiti said: “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.
“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 a 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 of the world.
“KIAHF 2022 edition has a total prize money of QR17,083,500. This makes the festival a milestone on the map of international Arabian horse championships, and enhances Katara's position as an incubator for major international sporting events and events.
“I can only thank the sponsors of the second edition of the festival: Vodafone Qatar, Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) Group, Ali Bin Ali Holding, Ahlibank, Qatar Insurance Group, Qatar Airways, Al Kass Sports Channels, White Event and Qommunication. Thanks are also extended to all the media platforms that accompany the coverage of the festival's events from inside and outside Qatar.
“In conclusion, we hope that the championships and events of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival in its second edition will receive all the approval of our honourable audience, and we hope that you will spend the happiest and most enjoyable times with them through your interesting follow-up.”
Al-Darwish said, “The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival has become one of the most prominent Arabian horse festivals and occupies a leading position in the calendar of international equestrian competitions.
“It is our pleasure to announce to our dear audience that the Katara Arabian Horse Festival will be the most advanced, distinguished and creative, which will enhance its position among the most prominent sporting events and events in Qatar and the region and dedicate its
name as an annual global forum that brings together lovers of equestrian and Arabian horses."
Providing details on the number of horses participating, al-Darwish said: “ In the Arabian Peninsula Arabian Horse Championship, the number of participating horses is 239. The KIAHF 2022 auction will see 32 qualified purebred Arabian horses. The prestigious Title Show championship has a registration of 309 horses from 11 countries as compared to 248 last year.”
About the prizes, al-Darwish informed that the total prize money at KIAHF 2022 will be QR17,083,500 in addition to in-kind prizes awarded to the first place winners. Out of this, the Title Show will carry a total prize of QR13,900,000 besides in-kind prizes, which are cars provided by NBK Group, and watches provided by Ali Bin Ali Luxury.
The Arabian Peninsula Horse Show will have a total prize money of QR3,093,500, in addition to in-kind prizes consisting of cars presented to those occupying the first places.
There will also be special prizes, namely The Legend (Senior category) - QR3,000,000; and a Special Award for the horse that has won in all categories since being a yearling - QR2,000,000.
Representatives of the sponsoring companies lauded the event and highlighted its significance.    
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