Alkass Digital
Details of Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, which is organized under the patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, were announced during a press conference yesterday.
The first edition of the Festival will be held on Katara Beach from February 2 to 6 with a wide international participation in one of the highest beauty contests for purebred Arabian horses, with prizes worth QR13m.
The Festival will be held amidst COVID-19 precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the participants and the masses, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health.
Competitions are divided into three categories - the first for colts and fillies of one of age, the second for colts and fillies of two to three years old, and the third for mares and stallions aged 4 years and above.
Speaking at the press conference, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation - Katara Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti stressed the great significance of the first edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival as it is being held under the patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Dr. Al Sulaiti said that the Festival presents the oldest and most prestigious tournament dedicated to the beauty of the purebred Arabian horses, for which Qatar is famous as a global center for horse and equestrian sports, and is the world’s leading country in owning and breeding of purebred Arabian horses.
He noted that Katara organizes the Festival in cooperation with Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and Qatar Foundation, stemming from its constant and continuous keenness on hosting major international sports tournaments, and translating its effective partnerships with Qatari sports institutions, clubs and federations, which culminated in hosting this exceptional global event with the participation of 30 countries from around the world.
He added that the Festival promotes Katara’s position as an incubator for international championships, events and sporting events, and consolidates its role in preserving the rich heritage of the country in equestrian sport and the ancient Qatari traditions related to it, in addition to strengthening the status of the purebred Arabian horse breed locally, regionally and internationally.
He affirmed that what distinguishes this festival is that it combines the pleasure of sport, the beauty of culture, and the splendor of entertainment and tourism. Moreover, it includes the most expensive international championships for the beauty of purebred Arabian horses, making it a unique competition in the world.
Dr. Al Sulaiti extended thanked the sponsors of the Festival, namely Nasser bin Khalid Group, Ali bin Ali Group, Al Ahli Bank, Vodafone, Qatar Airways, Qatar Insurance Group, Al Kass channels, and Communications Company.
For his part, Badr Mohammed Al Darwish, the tournament director, said that the Festivals activities will start on February 2, while the competitions will take place on February 4, noting that the competitions are divided into three categories — the first for colts and fillies of one of age, the second for colts and fillies of two to three years old, and the third for mares and stallions aged 4 years and above.