The second edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2022), held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, concluded in a blaze of glory at the Katara Esplanade yesterday.
The 11-day-long festival captured the imagination of horse connoisseurs - owners, breeders and lovers of equestrianism - and saw the participation of over 500 horses from 11 countries. The show featured champion purebred horses that acted as “symbols of power, grace and identity”, the organisers said in a statement.
The closing ceremony of the festival was attended by His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani; HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; a number of horse owners, sheikhs, ambassadors accredited to Qatar and representatives of diplomatic missions.
The host nation, Qatar, dominated the grand finale of the prestigious Title Show yesterday with 13 horses from Qatar winning in the six championships, including Gold, Silver and Bronze in the Senior Stallions Championship and Senior Mares Championship.
Three of the UAE’s horses also won podium places, including the Junior Colts Championship Gold, while a horse from Saudi Arabia claimed Gold in the Junior Fillies Championship.
“The best of Arabian horses not only in the Arab region but also in the world stood out in all their magnificence as 12 international judges voted to decide on the champions,” the statement noted.
EKS Alihandro of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, was the Gold winner in the Senior Stallions Championship, followed by Silver winner E.S. Harir of Al Wajba Stud, Qatar, and Bronze winner EKS Mansour of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar.
Donna Molta Bella SRA of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, was the Gold winner in the Senior Mares Championship, along with Silver champion Nada Al Shahania of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar, and Bronze winner Maisa Al Nasser, owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani of Al Nasser Stud, Qatar.
D Sharar of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE, claimed Gold in the Junior Colts Championship while RDS Armani of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, was the Silver winner, and LR Solo Mio of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar, the Bronze winner.
D Hadeyyah, owned by Ajmal Stud, Saudi Arabia, won Gold in the Junior Fillies Championship ahead of Silver winner Falak Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, and Bronze winner D Jahraa of Dubai Arabian Stud, the UAE.
The Gold in the Yearling Colts Championship was won by Bahi Aljassimya of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, while the Silver went to Amos SH, owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani (Al Nasser Stud), Qatar. Nomaas Al Jumail of Aljumail Stud, Qatar, claimed the Bronze.
D Expo of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud won Gold in the Yearling Fillies Championship ahead of Silver winner Rayyanah Al Nasser, owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani (Al Nasser Stud), and Bronze winner D Raseel of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud.
KIAHF 2022 had a total prize money of QR17,083,500 besides many in-kind prizes, including cars and luxury watches.
The national anthems of the gold-winning horses’ countries were played for all the winners of the six Title Show classes after each category.
Officials, who worked to make the Title Show a highly successful event, were honoured on the occasion by Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara and chairman of KIAHF Organising Committee
The announcement of the Senior Stallions Championship winners was preceded by a show that saw horse-riders gallop into the arena followed by horseback fire artists regaling the audience in the lit-up arena by the sea, which also saw dhow boats light up in several
colours.
The final flourish was the presentation of the breeding champions of Al Shaqab being paraded, including the “pride of Qatar and the sire of many champions” -- Marwan Al Shaqab, the statement added. Fittingly, it also happened to be the birthday of the purebred bay stallion, born in 2000.
A fireworks display also regaled the gathering at KIAHF 2022.
Prof al-Sulaiti expressed pleasure at the remarkable success achieved by the second edition of the festival, Qatar News Agency reported. He said Katara has become a world-class destination in the field of equestrianism and purebred Arabian horses, and achieved a brilliant reputation in preserving the Qatari cultural and sports heritage of equestrianism, calling it the “sport of parents and grandparents”.
He noted that the second edition of the festival was distinguished by its new and different design that was carefully developed under the direct supervision of a group of Qatari designers familiar with the ancient Qatari history and cultural heritage, in addition to design pioneers from Russia, Turkey and the Middle East, with the aim of embody the Arab originality and the richness of the Qatari cultural heritage, and to convey the ideal image of Qatar to the whole world.
For his part, director of the championships Badr Mohamed al-Darwish praised the co-operation and partnership between Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab, highlighting the great efforts made by the Katara team. The competition was strong in all categories, he said.
Al-Darwish noted that the great success of KIAHF 2022 was achieved thanks to the team spirit that prevailed among all members of the Organising Committee, in addition to the great international and local participation in the two championships and in the horse auction, which set a record by selling the most expensive embryo in the world.
He hoped that Qatar’s successes in hosting world championships for horses would continue, especially that next year will witness the holding of the World Arabian Horse Championship, which will be held outside France for the first time in 40 years.
He added that the coming days will see the organisation of the largest and most expensive local championships and races in Qatar, which will be held on February 17, 18 and 19, namely: HH the Amir’s Sword in Showjumping, HH the Amir’s Sword in Horse Racing Festival, and HH the Amir’s Sword in Endurance Race.
Title Show Championships winners
The 11-day-long festival captured the imagination of horse connoisseurs - owners, breeders and lovers of equestrianism - and saw the participation of over 500 horses from 11 countries. The show featured champion purebred horses that acted as “symbols of power, grace and identity”, the organisers said in a statement.
The closing ceremony of the festival was attended by His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani; HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; a number of horse owners, sheikhs, ambassadors accredited to Qatar and representatives of diplomatic missions.
The host nation, Qatar, dominated the grand finale of the prestigious Title Show yesterday with 13 horses from Qatar winning in the six championships, including Gold, Silver and Bronze in the Senior Stallions Championship and Senior Mares Championship.
Three of the UAE’s horses also won podium places, including the Junior Colts Championship Gold, while a horse from Saudi Arabia claimed Gold in the Junior Fillies Championship.
“The best of Arabian horses not only in the Arab region but also in the world stood out in all their magnificence as 12 international judges voted to decide on the champions,” the statement noted.
EKS Alihandro of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, was the Gold winner in the Senior Stallions Championship, followed by Silver winner E.S. Harir of Al Wajba Stud, Qatar, and Bronze winner EKS Mansour of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar.
Donna Molta Bella SRA of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, was the Gold winner in the Senior Mares Championship, along with Silver champion Nada Al Shahania of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar, and Bronze winner Maisa Al Nasser, owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani of Al Nasser Stud, Qatar.
D Sharar of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE, claimed Gold in the Junior Colts Championship while RDS Armani of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, was the Silver winner, and LR Solo Mio of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar, the Bronze winner.
D Hadeyyah, owned by Ajmal Stud, Saudi Arabia, won Gold in the Junior Fillies Championship ahead of Silver winner Falak Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, and Bronze winner D Jahraa of Dubai Arabian Stud, the UAE.
The Gold in the Yearling Colts Championship was won by Bahi Aljassimya of Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar, while the Silver went to Amos SH, owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani (Al Nasser Stud), Qatar. Nomaas Al Jumail of Aljumail Stud, Qatar, claimed the Bronze.
D Expo of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud won Gold in the Yearling Fillies Championship ahead of Silver winner Rayyanah Al Nasser, owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani (Al Nasser Stud), and Bronze winner D Raseel of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud.
KIAHF 2022 had a total prize money of QR17,083,500 besides many in-kind prizes, including cars and luxury watches.
The national anthems of the gold-winning horses’ countries were played for all the winners of the six Title Show classes after each category.
Officials, who worked to make the Title Show a highly successful event, were honoured on the occasion by Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara and chairman of KIAHF Organising Committee
The announcement of the Senior Stallions Championship winners was preceded by a show that saw horse-riders gallop into the arena followed by horseback fire artists regaling the audience in the lit-up arena by the sea, which also saw dhow boats light up in several
colours.
The final flourish was the presentation of the breeding champions of Al Shaqab being paraded, including the “pride of Qatar and the sire of many champions” -- Marwan Al Shaqab, the statement added. Fittingly, it also happened to be the birthday of the purebred bay stallion, born in 2000.
A fireworks display also regaled the gathering at KIAHF 2022.
Prof al-Sulaiti expressed pleasure at the remarkable success achieved by the second edition of the festival, Qatar News Agency reported. He said Katara has become a world-class destination in the field of equestrianism and purebred Arabian horses, and achieved a brilliant reputation in preserving the Qatari cultural and sports heritage of equestrianism, calling it the “sport of parents and grandparents”.
He noted that the second edition of the festival was distinguished by its new and different design that was carefully developed under the direct supervision of a group of Qatari designers familiar with the ancient Qatari history and cultural heritage, in addition to design pioneers from Russia, Turkey and the Middle East, with the aim of embody the Arab originality and the richness of the Qatari cultural heritage, and to convey the ideal image of Qatar to the whole world.
For his part, director of the championships Badr Mohamed al-Darwish praised the co-operation and partnership between Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab, highlighting the great efforts made by the Katara team. The competition was strong in all categories, he said.
Al-Darwish noted that the great success of KIAHF 2022 was achieved thanks to the team spirit that prevailed among all members of the Organising Committee, in addition to the great international and local participation in the two championships and in the horse auction, which set a record by selling the most expensive embryo in the world.
He hoped that Qatar’s successes in hosting world championships for horses would continue, especially that next year will witness the holding of the World Arabian Horse Championship, which will be held outside France for the first time in 40 years.
He added that the coming days will see the organisation of the largest and most expensive local championships and races in Qatar, which will be held on February 17, 18 and 19, namely: HH the Amir’s Sword in Showjumping, HH the Amir’s Sword in Horse Racing Festival, and HH the Amir’s Sword in Endurance Race.
Title Show Championships winners
* Senior Stallions Championship (Class SSC) sponsored by Nasser Bin Khaled
Gold: EKS Alihandro (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Silver: E.S. Harir (Al Wajba Stud, Qatar); Bronze: EKS Mansour (Al Shahania Stud, Qatar)
* Senior Mares Championship (Class SMC) sponsored by Nasser Bin Khaled
Gold: Donna Molta Bella SRA (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Silver: Nada Al Shahania (Al Shahania Stud, Qatar); Bronze: Maisa Al Nasser (Owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Al Nasser Stud, Qatar)
* Junior Colts Championship (Class JCC) sponsored by Ali Bin Ali
Gold: D Sharar (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE); Silver: RDS Armani (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Bronze: LR Solo Mio (Al Shahania Stud, Qatar)
* Junior Fillies Championship (Class JFC) sponsored by Ali Bin Ali
Gold: D Hadeyyah (Ajmal Stud, Saudi Arabia); Silver: Falak Al Shaqab (Al Shaqab, Qatar); Bronze: D Jahraa (Dubai Arabian Stud, the UAE)
*Yearling Colts Championship (Class YCC) sponsored by Hairaat
Gold: Bahi Aljassimya (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Silver: Amos SH (owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Al Nasser Stud, Qatar); Bronze: Nomaas Al Jumail (Aljumail Stud, Qatar)
* Yearling Fillies Championship (Class YFC) sponsored by Ahlibank
Gold: D Expo (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE); Silver: Rayyanah Al Nasser (owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Al Nasser Stud, Qatar); Bronze: D Raseel (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE) .
Gold: EKS Alihandro (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Silver: E.S. Harir (Al Wajba Stud, Qatar); Bronze: EKS Mansour (Al Shahania Stud, Qatar)
* Senior Mares Championship (Class SMC) sponsored by Nasser Bin Khaled
Gold: Donna Molta Bella SRA (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Silver: Nada Al Shahania (Al Shahania Stud, Qatar); Bronze: Maisa Al Nasser (Owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Al Nasser Stud, Qatar)
* Junior Colts Championship (Class JCC) sponsored by Ali Bin Ali
Gold: D Sharar (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE); Silver: RDS Armani (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Bronze: LR Solo Mio (Al Shahania Stud, Qatar)
* Junior Fillies Championship (Class JFC) sponsored by Ali Bin Ali
Gold: D Hadeyyah (Ajmal Stud, Saudi Arabia); Silver: Falak Al Shaqab (Al Shaqab, Qatar); Bronze: D Jahraa (Dubai Arabian Stud, the UAE)
*Yearling Colts Championship (Class YCC) sponsored by Hairaat
Gold: Bahi Aljassimya (Al Jassimya Farm, Qatar); Silver: Amos SH (owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Al Nasser Stud, Qatar); Bronze: Nomaas Al Jumail (Aljumail Stud, Qatar)
* Yearling Fillies Championship (Class YFC) sponsored by Ahlibank
Gold: D Expo (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE); Silver: Rayyanah Al Nasser (owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Al Nasser Stud, Qatar); Bronze: D Raseel (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the UAE) .
