A stunning finale to the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival
The first edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF), held under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, concluded on a resplendent note yesterday. Some of the finest purebred Arabian show horses competed in the championships of the prestigious title show. Stallions, mares, colts, fillies, and yearlings, the top three finalists from their respective classes, graced the arena, impressing judges and spectators with their graceful trot and absolutely gorgeous looks. The mare Noft Al Nayfat and stallion Sundown KA, owned by Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa H A AL-Thani’s Aljassimya Farm, proudly strutted off with the championship titles in their respective categories.
HE Prof. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, welcomed a number of Their Excellencies led by His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports and heads of diplomatic missions to Qatar. They included HE the Minister Plenipotentiary Mr Ali bin Saad Al-Naghmoush Al-Qahtani, Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary Mr Nasser Saqr Al-Ghanim, Deputy Ambassador of the State of Kuwait.
Jalyla AT, Gold Yearling Filly Champion – Scott Bailey photo
HE Prof. Al-Sulaiti expressed great satisfaction that the Festival, which featured a total prizemoney of QAR13,000,000, one of the highest for an event of this type, had concluded successfully. He also noted that the participation of 12 countries in the very first edition of the KIAHF was an outstanding achievement.
HE Prof. Al-Sulaiti pointed out that the highest standards of integrity and fairness were upheld during the title show, as the entire proceedings were held in accordance with the standards and rules set by European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations (ECAHO). He also thanked all the sponsors, partners, officials, artists, and exhibitors at the Festival for their valuable contribution. The officials, judges, and members of the Disciplinary Committee were also honoured by the General Manager.
AG Nobel Rafee, Gold Yearling Colt Champion – Scott Bailey photo
Art lovers were in for a special treat. AlBahie, the Qatar-based auction house, held an auction titled Al Aseel. On the block were various pieces of equine-related artwork by international artists. The five-day Festival had featured several equine-related exhibitions and a postal exhibition.
Besides the impressive title show, spectators were treated to a taste of Qatari heritage. They were introduced to Hariry Al Shaqab (Marwan Al Shaqab x White Silkk), the poster-horse for KIAHF and a world-famous stallion that has won numerous international awards and championships. Audiences were also presented with a remarkable light and sound laser show accompanied by a parade of Arabian horses and their riders dressed in traditional costume. There was a spectacular firework display while illuminated drones featuring a horse and rider along Katara’s waterfront, all against the backdrop of traditional dhows. The display ended with a brightly-lit message welcoming people back to the next edition of KIAHF next year, which brought the Festival to a fitting finish.
Part of the closing ceremony – Scott Bailey photo
The Festival was held by Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, in cooperation with the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, and Qatar Foundation.
Yearling Filly Championship
Gold – Jalyla AT (Madher Al Jamal x Jayda Alrabi), owned by Al Thumama Stud
Silver – Namah Al Shahania (Na’mous Al Shahania x Anwas Al Shahania), owned by Al-Shahania Stud
Bronze – Rafeef Al Shaqab (Al Rasheed Al Rayyan x Shaikha Al Shaqab), owned by Al Shaqab – Member of Qatar Foundation
Yearling Colt Championship
Gold – AG Nobel Rafee (FA El Rasheem x AG Sahhara Gazal), owned by Kaheel Stud
Silver – Areeb Al Nasser (Naseem Al Rashediah x Loulou Al Nasser), owned by Al Nasser Stud
Bronze – Ghaith Al Shaqab (Marwan Al Shaqab x Wijdan Al Shaqab), owned by Al Shaqab – Member of Qatar Foundation
Maria Magdalena NWA, Gold Junior Female Champion – Scott Bailey photo
Junior Female Championship
Gold – Maria Magdalena NWA (FA El Rasheem x Magdalina NWA), owned by Al Thumama Stud
Silver – Sultanah Al Shahania (Sultan Al Zobara x Majolicaa), owned by Al Shahania Stud
Bronze – Al Wazna Al Shaqab (S.M.A. Magic One x Bushrah Al Shaqab), owned by Al Shaqab – Member of Qatar Foundation
Murana’s Nader, Gold Junior Male Champion – Scott Bailey photo
Junior Male Championship
Gold – Murana’s Nader (Emerald J x Murana’s Nabila), owned by Guy Jamar
Silver – Hader Al Shaqab (Enotri EEA x Hayam Al Shaqab), owned by Al Shaqab – Member of Qatar Foundation
Bronze – Wadee Aljassimya (Wadee Al Shaqab x Just Love Aljassimya), owned by Aljassimya Farm
Hader Al Shaqab, Silver Junior Male Champion – Scott Bailey photo
Senior Female Championship
Gold – Noft Al Nayfat (Ajman Monscione x Eagleridge Passionata), owned by Aljassimya Farm
Silver – Rihab Al Nasser (Marwan Al Shaqab x Remal Al Nasser), owned by Al Nasser Stud
Bronze – Baviera HVP (Marwan Al Shaqab x HB Bessolea), owned by Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad Kh H Al Thani
Noft Al Nayfat, Gold Senior Female Champion – Scott Bailey photo
Senior Male Championship
Gold – Sundown KA (QR Marc x L Serenella), owned by Aljassimya Farm
Silver – EKS Mansour (EKS Alihandro x EKS Phateena), owned by Al Shahania Stud
Bronze – Fadi Al Shaqab (Besson Carol x Abha Myra), owned by Al Shaqab – Member of Qatar Foundation
Sundown KA, Gold Senior Male Champion – Scott Bailey photo
Cultural Village Foundation, Katara
Cultural Village Foundation is an exceptional project of hope for human interaction through art and cultural exchange – a project made possible thanks to the inspired vision, solid faith, and wise leadership of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of the State of Qatar.
Keeping pace with the emerging global culture that emphasizes the importance of diversity in human development, Katara Cultural Village is the largest and the most multidimensional cultural project of Qatar. It is a place where people come together to experience the cultures of the world. With beautiful theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries, and cutting-edge facilities, Katara aims to become a world leader for multi-cultural activities.
In line with the goals set forward by the Qatar National Vision 2030, Katara serves as a guardian to the heritage and traditions of Qatar and endeavours to spread awareness about the importance of every culture and civilisation and as such, Katara hosts international, regional, and local festivals, workshops, performances, and exhibitions.
The idea of Katara
Katara was born out of a long-held vision to position the State of Qatar as a cultural beacon, a lighthouse of art, radiating in the Middle East through theatre, literature, music, visual art, conventions, and exhibitions.
This village shall be a glimpse of the future of a world where people of different cultural backgrounds overcome their national boundaries and embrace common causes to promote a united humanity.
Katara is where the grace of the past meets the splendour of the future.
