1st Katara International Arabian Horse Festival 2021

Like all the Arabian horses competitions right at the beginning of 2021, the 1st Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) or 30th edition of Qatar International Arabian Horse Show (QIAHS) was keen to abide by the preventive measures to curb any further spread of the novel coronavirus, and follow the related strategy for the well-being of the people. The event was held from February 3rd to 6th 2021 under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a very special place, Katara Esplanade, show ring, stands and tribunes truly phenomenal thanks to an impressive organizational machine put in place by Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, with the good support of Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, and Qatar Foundation. As per catalogue, well 252 purebred Arabian show horses entered the championships of the prestigious Title Show, featuring a total prizemoney of QAR13,000,000, one of the highest for an event of this kind. Stallions, mares, colts, fillies, and yearling, finalists in their respective classes, graced the arena, impressing the judges with their graceful trot and absolutely gorgeous looks. There were eleven experienced judges participating in this first edition: Mr. Francesco Santoro (Italy); Mr. Gianmarco Aragno (Italy); Mr. Klaus Beste (Germany); Mr. Steven Lieblang (U.S.A.); Mr. Jerzy Bialobok (Poland); Mrs. Ann Norden (Sweden); Mrs. Anna Stojanowska (Poland); Mr. Ahmed Hamza (Egypt); Ms. Michaela Weidner (Germany); Mr. Gideon Reisel (Netherlands) and Mr. Tomasz Tarczynski (Poland). It must be said that their disciplined approach on horses was truly exemplary during the course of the event. Disciplinary Commissioners: Dr. Laura Mascagna (Italy); Dr. Malak Benamar (Morocco); Alberto Manerba (Italy) and Ms. Alicja Poszepczynska (Poland). In the arena, Ringmaster Dr. Mohamed Mabrouk Hammad and Assistant Ringmaster Mr. Roberto Ceccaroni (Italy). The show was commented both in Arabic and English by Speakers Mr. Abdulla Al Barmaki and Ms. Thuraya Barzan Al Tikriti. Those who did not manage to travel that far could follow the competition livestreamed by Arabian Essence, Arabian Insider, KIAHF and Katara TV. The show started on Wednesday, 3 February at 3:30 pm and ended on Friday, 5 February at 7pm with the following winning horses: In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Jalyla AT by Mahder al-Jamal and out of Jayda, owned by al-Thumama Stud. Silver medal winner the bay Namah al-Shahania, by Na Nous al-Shahania and out of Anwar al-Shahania, owned by al-Shahaniya Stud. Bronze medal winner the bay Rafeef al-Shaqab by Al-Rasheed al-Rayyan and out of Shaikha al-Shaqab, owned by al-Shaqab Stud. In Junior Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Maria Magdalena Nwa, by Fa el-Rasheem and out of Magdalena, owned by al-Thumama Stud. Silver medal winner the bay Sultanah al-Shahania, by Sultan al-Zobara and out of Majolicaa, owned by Sheikh Reem Md al-Thani. Bronze medal winner the bay Al-Wazna al-Shaqab, by Sma Magic One and out of Bushrah al-Shaqab, owned by al-Shaqab Stud. In the Senior Mares Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Noft Alnayfat by Ajman Moniscione and out of Eagleridge Passionata, owned by Sheikh Jassim al-Thani. Silver medal winner the grey Rihab al-Nasser, by Marwan al-Shaqab and out of Remal al-Nasser, owned by al-Nasser Stud. Bronze medal winner the grey Baviera Hvp, by Marwan al-Shaqab and out of Hb Bessolea, owned by Sheikh Alqaqa al-Thani. In the Yearling Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Ag Nobel Rafee, by Fa el-Rasheem and out of Ag Sahhara Gazal, owned by Kaheel Stud. Silver medal winner the grey Areeb al-Nasser, by Naseem al-Rashediah and out of Loulou al-Nasser, owned by al-Nasser Stud. Bronze medal winner Ghaith al-Shaqab, by Marwan al-Shaqab and out of Wijdan al-Shaqab, owned by al-Shaqab Stud. In the Junior Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Muranas Nader, by Emerald J and out of Muranas Nabila, bred and owned by Jamar - Belgium. Silver medal winner the chestnut Hader al-Shaqab, by Enotri Eea and out of Hayam al-Shaqab, owned by al-Shaqab Stud. Bronze medal winner Wadee Aljassimya, by Wadee al-Shaqab and out of Just Love Aljassimya, owned by Sheik Jassim al-Thani In the Senior Stallions Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Sundown K.a, by Qr Marc & L Serenella, owned by Sheikh Jassim al-Thani. Silver medal winner the grey Eks Mansour, by Eks Alihandro and out of Eks Phateena, owned by al-Shahania Stud. Bronze medal winner the bay Fadi al-Shaqab, by Besson Carol and out of Abha Myra, owned by al-Shaqab. CONCLUSION: The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival was a wonderful experience and a distinctive mix between the past, the present and the future. It represented an important step forward, reinforcing the relationship between the world of Purebred Arabian horses and the public, who was there to discover all that is so special, beautiful, different and charming about this breed; a tradition, which has always been there in Katara. Prof. Al-Sulaiti expressed great satisfaction that the Festival, featuring one of the highest total prizemoney in history, had concluded successfully. He also noted that the participation of twelve countries in the very first edition of the KIAHF was an outstanding achievement. Al-Sulaiti highlighted 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. The officials, judges, and members of the Disciplinary Committee were also honored by the General Manager. 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. A brightly-lit message inviting people back to the next edition of KIAHF next year 2022, brought the Festival to a perfect end.