Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival 2023 kicks off

The Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival 2023 began on the souq's western side Tuesday afternoon.
The festival, which runs until February 28, includes the fourth edition of the Souq Waqif International Arabian Horse Show, where a good number of horses are taking part.
The festival is being held by the Organising Committee at the Private Engineering Office, and has the wide participation of horse owners from Qatar and other countries that include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Argentina.
The festival began with a musical performance by the army band, followed by the first rounds of the mare beauty contest (two years old). The participating horses were judged based on factors such as head, neck, chest and limbs in addition to gait and agility. The panel includes seven judges from countries such as Morocco, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK.
Abdulrahman Mohamed al-Namea, general supervisor of the festival, said the organising committee has allocated prizes worth QR6.4mn, adding that it is the highest amount in the festival's history. Besides, the festival is witnessing considerable participation from the GCC region with 58 horses, which is also considered the highest since the launch of the event.
Mohamed Abdulrahman al-Mansuri, director of the festival, described the event as an excellent platform for horse owners and equestrian fans to meet and exchange views and experiences regarding their shared passion for horses, besides being a popular festival that enjoys an excellent turnout of visitors thanks to its convenient location on the Souq Waqif premises.
He said the venue was carefully prepared to give the participants the best experience, with some areas dedicated for horse owners and participants, and others for the general public as well as dedicated place for families.
He noted that the event can be considered a highly successful one from Day 1, and it is expected to continue drawing more visitors as the festival and accompanying activities appeal to all.
Al-Mansuri said a good number of horses are taking part from different Qatari studs across the country, adding that the festival applies the highest international standards across all its aspects, including the organisation and facilities. It also involves high standards for the winning horses, which are strictly applied by the international judges while guaranteeing equal opportunity for all participants.