AL SHIRA’AA 2020

Ever since H.H. Sheikha Fatima Hazza Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan opened her eyes to the world, the love of the Arabian horse has been an indispensable part of her and her very first horse was an Arabian. Her vision is to pass on the legacy and dream of her grandfathers to spread the interest in the pure Arabian horse internationally. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Hazza Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyaan really spares no efforts to promote the importance of this noble animal because it truly reflects the long history of equestrianism and horsemanship in the UAE and the values that the Arabian horse symbolizes. In mid-February this year she launched and kindly patronised the first edition of the Al Shira’aa Arabian Horse Show which took place from 11th to 14th February at “Al Forsan International Sports Resort” in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Organized by Al Shiraa Stable, the Championships witnessed the very best of purebred Arabians from around the world competing for a mind-blowing prizemoney of AED 6.000.000. The Higher Organizing Committee was composed by: H.H. Sheikha Fatima Hazza Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President; Mr. Mohamed Al Owais; Mr. Sultan Al Yahyaie; Mr. Omran Ahmad Al Owais; Mr. Mohammed Ahmad Al Harbi, Ms. Antonia Bautista; Mr. Khalifa Al Muhairi and Mr. Yabr Al Suwaidi. The Technical Committee could count on the expertise of Mr. Sultan Al Yahyaie (Show Director); Mr. Biju Peter (Show Assistant); Ms. Martina Boor; Ms. Samantha Kettle; Mr. Karim Hussien; Mr. Luqman Hassan; Mr. Hany Fahmy and Mr. Tareq Ayoub. An international panel of judges was composed by: Mr. Hegazy Nashaat (Egypt); Mr. Machmoum Mohamed (Morocco); Mrs. Schibler Renata (Switzerland); Dr. Aragno Gianmarco (Italy); Mr. Bialobok Jerzy (Poland); Mrs. Weidner Michaela (Germany); Mr. Gear Eric (France) and Mr. Trela Marek (Poland). Disciplinary Commissioners: Mr. Mohammed Ahmad Al Harbi (Head of Disciplinary Committee); Ms. Line Brunsgaard (Denmark); Dr. Abdelwahab Ben Ali Amira; Mr. Kaies Ben Hadi Ouelhazy; Dr. Umar Raza Gill and Dr. Sujeet Bhaskar Suryawanshi. Ringmaster: Dr. Jean-Bernard Kupaj. Official commentators: Mr. Mohammed Musaad Taher Al Hajajhji (Arabic language) and Mr. Eric Blaak (English language). A Platinum Partnership was set up by Bulgari and Ajman Stud; while a Gold Partnership featured in Athbah Stud, Dubai Arabian Horse Stud and Al Aryam Stud. The Al Shira’aa Concierge service allowed the many guests to have an itinerary in place for their trip in whilst attending the Al Shira’aa Arabian Show, so no-one had to worry about where to book or stay. The four-day Championships started on Tuesday 11th February and ended on Friday 14th February with the following results: In the Yearling Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Al Aryam Banafsaj (Dominic M x Al Aryam Basma) bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians Stables. Silver medal winner the bay Ward Al Bidayer (D Seraj x Juri Al Bidayer) bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saoud Al Qassemi. Bronze medal winner the grey D Sireen (D Seraj x D Ra'afah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. In the Junior Fillies Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Aj Samara (Aj Mardan x Sama Am) bred and owned by Ajman Stud. Silver medal winner the grey D Nawahel (Fa El Rasheem x D Noor) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner the grey D Gharam (Fa El Rasheem x Ft Shaella) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. In the Senior Mares Championship, Gold medal winner the grey Al Aryam Abla (Marwan Al Shaqab x Sf Hossana) bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians Stables. Silver medal winner the bay D Seeneyyah (Fa El Rasheem x Royal Emira) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Bronze medal winner the grey E.S. Sheikha (S.M.A. Magic One x Mahjesty) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qassemi. In the Yearling Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Exagon Os (Cyclone Os x Strastya Os) bred and owned by Stockle Gbr Gestut Osterhof. Silver medal winner, the bay Ghaly Al Hawajer (Dominic M x Ghalyah Al Hawajer) bred and owned by Dr. Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Al Hajri. Bronze medal winner, the chestnut Arjuwan Al Bidayer (Aj Marzan x Allezandra Albidayer) bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saoud Al Qassemi. In the Junior Colts Championship, Gold medal winner the bay Mutabahi Al Hawajer (Fa El Rasheem x Zt Magrumi) bred and owned by Dr Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Alhajri. Silver medal winner the bay Sq Shaddad (Fa El Rasheem x Aj Lailac) bred by Al Saqran Arabian Horse Stud and owned by Abdullah Mohamed Khalaf Ahmed Alotaiba. Bronze medal winner, the grey Emar Avi (Empire x El Medisa) bred by Czeslaw Josef Galaszewski and owned by Abdulrahman Mohamed Sharif Albaidhaei. In the Senior Stallions Championship, Gold medal winner the grey E.S. Prince (E.S. Sarab x Raghad Al Nasser) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qassemi. Silver medal winner the grey E.S. Sarab (Marajj x Mahjesty) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qassemi. Bronze medal winner the grey Al Aryam Bare'e (Al Bilal x Al Aryam Balkeas) bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians Stables. SPECIAL AWARDS Best Handler: Ms. Katrien Vandycke from Brugge, Belgium. Best Head Female: Aj Samara (Aj Mardan x Sama Am) bred and owned by Ajman Stud. Best Head Males: Ghaly Al Hawajer (Dominic M x Ghalyah Al Hawajer) bred and owned by Dr. Ghanem Mohamed Obaid Al Hajri. Best In Show: E.S. Prince (E.S. Sarab x Raghad Al Nasser) bred and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qassemi. CONCLUSION The inaugural Al Shira’aa Arabian Horse Show was a joyful and successful celebration of the beauty and heritage of wonderful Arabian horse in the United Arab Emirates. The safeguarding of these ancient bloodlines is something that the Royal Family and H.H. Sheikha Fatima Hazza Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, going back many generations, are extremely passionate about. Yet, they also seek to spread the word about these magnificent animals that have so greatly formed their heritage and growth as a Nation. From the ancient Bedouin people of the desert, who lived alongside the Arabian horse, to the show arenas of the fast-paced modern world, they have always had time to appreciate equine beauty in its most natural state. We feel that it is up to us to thank all the members of the Royal Family and the officers of the Organising Committee who were involved in this spectacular event, as considerable work was undertaken at this first edition. It is also our duty to thank those who in various ways took part in the pageantry in Abu Dhabi and worked hard for its success: breeders, judges, disciplinary commissioners, handlers, ringmaster and ring stewards, commentators, media coordinators and the entire staff personnel involved in the show. We on the AHM team are so pleased to have enjoyed a genuine and authentic Arabian atmosphere, and we hope that many other people in the sector will have the opportunity to meet the unique welcome and the magic of the Al Shira’aa Arabian Horse Show in year 2021!