Around 271 horses from famous, royal studs and stables from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Brazil, and Libya will participate in Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The 23rd edition of the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival will begin at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club on Friday.

The three-day event will take place under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The festival is being organised by Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club in cooperation with the European Authority for Purebred Arabian Horse Beauty Contests (ECAHO) and sponsored by Sharjah Airport Authority.

The festival will take place under the auspices of the Sharjah Sports Council and in association with the Emirates Arabian Horse Society.

Around 178 horses from famous, royal studs and stables from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Brazil, and Libya will participate in the festival, which is a showcase and competition of the heritage, beauty, and agility of the world’s finest Arabian horses.

 Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, says the festival is one of the most prominent events that celebrate the cultural heritage.

The festival's Higher Organizing Committee includes Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman, Dr Ghanem Muhammad Obaid Al Hajri member, Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaee, Director of the Festival, Ashraf Jaber Al Leithi, Assistant Director of the Festival, Dr Abdul Wahab Amira, official of the exhibition grounds, Aizah Al Menhali, Linda Ismail, Festival Secretary, Muhammad Al Nabulsi, Media Coordinator, Ahmed Arafat, General Supervisor.

Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, said: "For over the past 22 years, the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival has been the focus of attention for equestrian and purebred Arabian horse enthusiasts, and is one of the most prominent events that celebrate the cultural heritage. The success of the festival over the years is attributed to the special attention given by Dr. Sheikh Sultan.

"We are pleased to announce the launch of the 23rd edition of the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival, which is expected to enjoy wider participation in light of the improved health situation following effective COVID-19 measures taken by UAE government agencies.

"We are also pleased with Sharjah Airport Authority again joining the event as a main sponsor. This step comes in line with our commitment to actively participate in initiatives and events aimed at enhancing the position of the Emirate of Sharjah as a distinct destination regionally and globally on the travel and tourism map."

Yahyaee, Member of the Sharjah Sports Council and Director General of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, said: "We extend our gratitude to Dr Sheikh Sultan for his unwavering support for equestrian sport in general and for the Arabian horse in particular.

We also extend our thanks to Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, for his support for equestrian sports. We also appreciate the support of our success partner, Sharjah Airport Authority, which has been supporting the Sharjah International Festival for more than twenty years.”