Heritage And Sport Fill Eighth ADIHEX Day
Saluki Showcase Opens Day’s Programme
The eighth day of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX 2026) brought together heritage, equestrian sport and family entertainment at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on 4 September 2026, drawing strong interest from visitors, families and enthusiasts of hunting and equestrian sport.
Staged under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, the exhibition ran under the theme “A Legacy of Pride” through 6 September 2026. Organisers ADNEC Group, a Modon company, working in strategic partnership with the Emirates Falconers’ Club, billed this year’s staging as the largest edition in the event’s history in terms of exhibition space, participating exhibitors, brands and visitor experiences.
Canine and Saluki heritage featured prominently on day eight. An Arabian Saluki showcase opened proceedings, giving visitors insight into the breed’s historic role in the UAE, before MDK K9 presented a series of displays that included rescued dogs and demonstrations of obedience training and command execution. The sessions were designed to give visitors a closer look at dog training and handling techniques.
Equestrian sport formed a central part of the day’s programme. Purebred Arabian horse showcases highlighted the breed’s history and presentation, while tent pegging displays and horse-riding demonstrations added a competitive and skill-based dimension to the day. Falconry hunting simulations ran alongside the equestrian activities, bringing together two of the UAE’s most prominent heritage sports and traditions on the same programme. A horse auction also took place during the day, giving owners, breeders and equestrian enthusiasts the opportunity to explore and bid on horses presented as part of the exhibition.
Arabic Workshop Held For Children
International cultural performances broadened the day’s appeal beyond its heritage core. Japanese Taiko drumming and African drumming featured alongside dance and acrobatic displays, reflecting the exhibition’s stated aim of bringing together Emirati heritage and global cultural traditions on a single platform.
Education and community engagement also had a place in the day’s schedule. A youth workshop was held at the Learning Majlis, while the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) presented a session as part of the exhibition’s awareness programming. The Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrol Directorate also took part in the day’s activities.
The National Academy for Childhood Development ran a workshop focused on the importance of the Arabic language during early childhood, examining its role in preserving cultural identity and strengthening children’s connection to heritage. The session covered the stages of language development from infancy, emphasising the importance of introducing Arabic from an early age and outlining the role parents, caregivers and the surrounding environment play in supporting language acquisition. Participants were also introduced to practical approaches families can use in daily life to enrich children’s vocabulary, build communication skills and foster a stronger appreciation of Arabic as a cornerstone of Emirati culture and identity.
Falconry And Equestrian Sport Paired
The falconry hunting simulations, run in tandem with the equestrian programme, gave visitors a practical demonstration of skills historically associated with hunting in the region, reinforcing the exhibition’s pairing of falconry and equestrian sport as complementary strands of the same heritage.
Organisers continue to frame ADIHEX as a platform for preserving and promoting Emirati heritage, allowing new generations to engage with the traditions, craftsmanship and cultural values that have shaped the UAE’s identity. The combination of live demonstrations, competitive displays, cultural performances and educational programming on day eight reflected that broader positioning, with activities spanning falconry, equestrian sport, canine heritage, policing, agriculture and early-years education across a single day’s schedule.
The equestrian and canine displays in particular drew attention from families and enthusiasts, with the pairing of tent pegging, purebred Arabian horse showcases and Saluki demonstrations giving visitors a chance to see multiple strands of the UAE’s hunting and equestrian traditions presented side by side over the course of a single day.
With the exhibition continuing until 6 September, day eight’s programme served as a marker of the scale organisers have built into this year’s edition, combining heritage-focused sport and craft with entertainment aimed at family audiences and international visitors alike. The 23rd edition of ADIHEX is scheduled to run through Sunday, 6 September 2026, with further heritage, cultural, equestrian and falconry programming planned for its closing days.