Al ain: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, the first edition of the Al Ain Equestrian Festival will begin tomorrow, Friday, at the Al Mubazzarah Al Khadra Park and continue until the 8th March, highlighting the distinguished position equestrian sports hold within Emirati society as an essential part of the nation’s heritage and national identity.
According to Emirates News Agency, this festival will also feature the Al Shira’aa International Arabian Horse Show, in addition to the Al Shira’aa Show Jumping Championship (CSI2), as well as a dedicated festival village accompanying the competitions. The festival offers multiple heritage-themed platforms, equestrian equipment outlets, and food trucks providing a wide array of options for visitors to choose from.
The Al Shira’aa International Arabian Horse Show will run for three days starting Friday and is organized by the Emirates Arabian Horse Society. The championship is expected to see the participation of 266 purebred Arabian horses, 27 of them being from outside the UAE, with 157 local owners and 22 international owners competing as well. This clearly indicates the event’s growing international clout and popularity.
Classified ‘A’ under the regulations of the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO), the championship includes qualifying classes for both male and female categories, in addition to six Gold Championships. This reflects the high technical standards and professional organization overseeing the activities, aligning with the nation’s leadership in preserving and developing purebred Arabian horse bloodlines.
The Al Shira’aa Show Jumping Championship will kick off on Wednesday, March 4, before ending on Sunday, March 8. Classified as a two-star international event (CSI2), it will feature 400 horses belonging to 250 individuals. This event further strengthens the UAE’s position as a regional and international hub for equestrian sport at the highest level.
Hosting the Al Ain Equestrian Festival at Al Mubazzarah Al Khadra Park further highlights the UAE’s commitment to preserving its equestrian heritage. It promotes and fosters a culture of horsemanship and its positive ideals among future generations while enhancing its pioneering role on the world map in the field of equestrian sports, reflecting renewed national pride in a distinguished past and a thriving present.