HE Prof Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara and chairman of the organising committee of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF), inaugurated the third edition of the festival Wednesday.KIAHF 2023 is being held under the generous patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and continues until February 11.The festival's opening day saw official visits by Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Abdullah al-Farhan al-Saud, ambassador of Saudi Arabia, and Najeeb bin Yahya al-Balushi, ambassador of Oman.KIAHF 2023 has been organised by Katara in co-operation with Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC). The opening day of the event witnessed the Katara International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show in different categories. The show will take place until February 4.KIAHF also includes the Arabian Horse Auction (February 6), and the prestigious Title Show (February 8-11).Speaking at the inauguration, HE Prof Dr al-Sulaiti said: "The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival has become a milestone and a distinctive part of the programme of Katara festivals and activities throughout the year. KIAHF is presented in a more distinctive way, befitting the ancient history of Qatar and enriching the authentic heritage of Qatari equestrian sport."Since the launch of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, we have set clear goals that we have strived to achieve. In addition to preserving our authentic heritage, there have been efforts to make this festival among the most famous international horse show festivals.”He stressed that KIAHF has the participation of the world’s best purebred Arabian horses judged according to the highest standards of arbitration. KIAHF also makes Qatar a global centre for the auction of the most authentic and highest quality Arabian horses. He added that Katara was keen to enhance the cultural dimension of the festival through various cultural activities.HE Prof Dr al-Sulaiti also thanked all the sponsors of the festival.Bader Mohamed al-Darwish, president of QEF, acting CEO of QREC and KIAHF Title Show manager, praised the co-operation and partnership between Katara, QREC, QEF and Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, and the great efforts of HE Prof Dr al-Sulaiti in making KIAHF one of the best equestrian events in the world. Al-Darwish said the opening day’s competitions emphasised the strength of the competition across all categories. He noted that the great success achieved by KIAHF in the past two editions was due to the team spirit of the organising committee.He also hoped that Qatar's successes in hosting the world championships for horses would continue, especially as Katara will host the 2023 and 2025 editions of the World Championships for Purebred Arabian Horses, to be held for the first time outside Paris in 40 years.KIAHF 2023 carries a total prize money of QR17,083,500 and has the participation of 18 countries, including thoese from the Arab region, Europe and the US.
KIAHF 2023 Day 1 results
* Yearling Fillies Section A (Class 1A)1. Zaina Al Wajba (Al Wajba Stud): 91.44 points (won by type).2. Sabah Al Nasser (Al Nasser Stud; owned by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani): 91.44 points.3. Namaria El Aliya (Al Alya Stud; owned by Sheikh Meeshal bin Eissa al-Thani): 91.25 points.* Yearling Fillies Section A (Class 1B)1. Lateen Al Danat (Al Danat Stud): 91.94 points.2. D E'Nayah (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud): 91.63 points.3. Hala Al Hilaliya (owned by Barrak Yaqoub Al Hajeri): 91.38 points.* Fillies 2 Years Old Section A (Class 2A)1. D A'Beer (Dubai Arabian Horse Stud): 92.44 points.2. Leena Al Nasser (Al Nasser Stud): 92.19 points.3. AK Dana (owned by Abdulla Khalifa J A al-Kuwari): 91.69 points.
The International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show has a total prize of QR3,093,500 as well as in-kind prizes for various categories.
Thursday Schedule
- 3.30pm-5.10pm - Yearling Colts (Class 3).
- 5.30pm-6.25pm - Colts 2 Years Old (Class 4).
- 6.30pm-8.35pm - Fillies 3 Years Old (Class 5).
- 8.40pm-9.15pm - Colts 3 Years Old (Class 6).
KIAHF 2023 presents more than 30 events and activities at the festival site on the Katara Corniche.The exhibition, 'Symphony of Authenticity' by artist Ali al-Mimar has opened and will continue until the end of the festival in Building 47. The exhibition includes 17 paintings about horses.The festival also features a number of art exhibitions that will be opened in the coming days of the festival, including the 'Interactive Mirrors' exhibition, which is the first of its kind at Katara and Qatar; the exhibition of Peter Upton’s paintings, and the 'Brazilian Sculptures' exhibition by Roberto Clazzini - Al-Karimah, and the 'Collectibles' exhibition of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum and Qatar National Library.The popular KIAHF Saddle Drawing Competition has the participation of 30 artists from within and outside Qatar. The winner will get QR30,000 as the top prize, while the second prize is QR20,000 and and third QR10,000.The 'Best Picture' Competition on Arabian purebred horses has a top prize of QR12,000 and other prizes. The competition is open to all Qatar citizens and residents. The competition will be held on the Auction day on February 6. Those interested can find the details of participation from the festival website at kiahf.qaThe results of the poetry competition - 'Poet of the Safinat' - dedicated to Nabati poetry, held in December will be announced on the sidelines of the festival.
February 01, 2023 | 10:56 PM