The qualifying rounds for the second edition of the Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Beauty Championship concluded yesterday. The four-day event, held at the Longines Outdoor Arena at Al Shaqab, will wrap up today.
Supported by the Social and Sport Activities Support Fund (Daam), the championship features the participation of 285 horses, including 63 from the Gulf countries, with an esteemed panel of international judges, underscoring the importance of this championship.
In the mares’ category for ages 4-6, Qamrat RJ, owned by Hamad bin Mohammed al-Rajhi, claimed first place. In second was Francesca HVP, owned by Ali Abdullah al-Kuwari, while Falah Hussein al-Ajmi’s Mayaar Al Omariya came third.
In the mares’ category for ages 7-10, Al Salem Stud secured first and third places with D Shatha and D Fala, respectively. Mayar Al Rabia, owned by Sultan bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Ghoshan, took second place.
In the 11 years and older mares category, AV Dalia, owned by Al Saigal Stud, achieved first place, while DA Magic Moment and Farona, both owned by Misfer Mohammed al-Hajri, took second and third places, respectively.
The championship finals will take place today, with awards for all categories, including fillies and colts (newborns), yearlings, and two- and three-year-olds, as well as mares and stallions. The organising committee has allocated valuable prizes for the horses winning gold, silver and bronze medals. The finals will feature horses that placed first to third in the qualifiers for each category.
This year, for the first time, the event includes a new class: the Newborns Class, and it serves as a qualifying event for prestigious championships, including the World Arabian Horse Beauty Championship, Katara Festival and Global Champions Tour.
The championship is classified as a ‘B’ category under the supervision of the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO), enabling winning horses to qualify for higher-ranked international championships.
Through this championship, Al Shaqab aims to preserve the rich cultural heritage that fosters an appreciation for Arabian horses, while promoting the growth and status of the Arabian horse both locally and internationally.
Connections of Qamrat RJ celebrate after the mare won in the ages 4-6 category during the qualifiers for the Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Beauty Championship yesterday.
