Katara International Arabian Horse Festival Concluded

Doha, February 06 (QNA) - In the presence of HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali, the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) 2021, which was held under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, came to an end on Saturday. Held at the Katara Esplanade, the festival was organized by the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) in cooperation with Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, and Qatar Foundation. Some of the finest purebred Arabian show horses competed in the championships of the prestigious Title Show. Stallions, mares, colts, fillies, and yearling, finalists in their respective classes, graced the arena, impressing judges and spectators with their graceful trot and absolutely gorgeous looks. Noft Alnayfat, a senior mare, and Sundown K.A, a senior stallion, Arabians owned by HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa H A Al-Thani, proudly strutted off with the championship titles in their respective categories. In Class 13 - Yearling Fillies, Gold went to Jalyla AT, owned by Al-Dana Al-Meslemani - Al-Thumamah Stud; Silver to Namah Al Shahania, owned by Al-Shahania Stud, and Bronze to Rafeef Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab (member of Qatar Foundation). In Class 14 - Yearling Colts: Gold awarded to AG Nobel Rafee, owned by Kaheel Stud; Silver to Areeb Al Nasser, owned by Al Nasser Stud - Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al-Thani; and Bronze to Ghaith Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab - Member of QF. In Class 15 - Junior Fillies: Gold win by Maria Magdalena NWA, owned by Al Dana Al Meslemani - Al Thumama Stud; Silver by Sultanah Al Shahania, owned by HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed A Al-Thani; and Bronze by Al Wazna Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab - Member of QF. In Class 16 - Junior Colts: Gold went to Muranas Nader, owned by Guy Jamar; Silver to Hader Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab - Member of QF; Bronze to Wadee AlJassimya, owned by HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa H A Al-Thani. In Class 17 - Senior Mares: Gold awarded to Noft Alnayfat, owned by Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa H A Al-Thani; Silver to Rihab Al Nasser, owned by Al Nasser Stud - Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al-Thani; and Bronze to Baviera HVP, owned by HE Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad Al-Thani. In Class 18 - Senior Stallions: Gold awarded to Sundown K.A., owned by Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa H A Al-Thani; Silver to EKS Mansour, owned by Al Shahania Stud; and Bronze to Fadi Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab - Member of QF. The Title Show, which carried a total prize money of QR13mn, saw the participation of top-quality Arabian horses - more than 250 of them from 12 countries: Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, France, the US, Denmark, Italy, Poland and Germany. In remarks, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, expressed great satisfaction that the Festival, one of the highest for an event of this type, had concluded successfully. He also noted that the participation of 12 countries in the very first edition of the KIAHF was an outstanding achievement. He pointed out that the highest standards of integrity and fairness were upheld during the Title Show, as the entire proceedings were held in accordance with the standards and rules set by European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations (ECAHO). He also thanked all the sponsors, partners, officials, artists, and exhibitors at the Festival for their valuable contribution. Art lovers were in for a special treat. AlBahie, the Qatar-based auction house, held an auction titled 'Al Aseel.' On the block were various pieces of equine-related artwork by international artists. The five-day Festival had featured several equine-related exhibitions and a postal exhibition. Besides the impressive Title Show, spectators were treated to a taste of Qatari heritage. They were introduced to Hariri Al Shaqab, the poster-child for KIAHF and a world-famous stallion that has won numerous international awards and championships. Audiences were also presented with a remarkable light and sound laser show accompanied by a parade of Arabians and their riders dressed in traditional costume. Spectacular fireworks display and illuminated drones featured horse and rider along Katara's waterfront, against the backdrop of traditional dhows. (END)