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| Staff Writer |
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Qatar's Arabian Horse Show season is set to dazzle enthusiasts with a stellar lineup of 12 events, as the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) reveals its ambitious programme for the coming months. With the local racing season at Al Rayyan and Al Uqdah racecourses on the horizon and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend in Paris looming, QREC management, spearheaded by HE Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, has crafted a schedule that reinforces Qatar's position at the forefront of Arabian horse showcases.
The curtain rises on the season with the 4th Qatar Arabian Horse Breeders Cup, slated for 24-26 October. This prestigious event follows the Start of Season Auction on 10 October, with entries having opened on 5 September. Hot on its heels, the 4th Qatar Arabian Horse Show for Local Bred will unfold from 27-29 October, setting the stage for a thrilling autumn of equine excellence.
November brings a double-header of Arabian horse artistry. The Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Show takes centre stage from 17-19 November, followed by the 27th Qatar National Arabian Horse Show from 27-30 November. As winter descends, the inaugural Al Rayyan National Arabian Peninsula Horse Show will captivate audiences from 2-4 December.
The new year heralds a trio of international extravaganzas. January 2025 opens with the 4th Doha International Arabian Horse Show from 3-6 January, swiftly followed by the 6th Souq Waqif International Arabian Horse Show from 14-16 January. The month concludes with the 14th Souq Waqif Arabian Peninsula Horse Show from 18-20 January.
February maintains the momentum with the Katara International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show from 29 January to 1 February, and the Global Champions Arabians Tour from 5-8 February, promising world-class competition and breathtaking displays of Arabian horse beauty and athleticism.
Following a respite in March, coinciding with Ramadan, the season reaches its crescendo in April. The 13th Qatar National Arabian Horse Show takes the spotlight from 9-12 April, with the 10th Qatar National Arabian Peninsula Horse Show providing a fitting finale on 13-14 April. The End of Season Auction on 17 April will bring down the curtain on another spectacular campaign.
Majid Al-Kaabi, QREC Director of Arabian Horse Shows, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season: "Since the end of the last season, preparations have been underway for the new season by developing the calendar in full to ensure the goals of holding these shows will be fulfilled and provide greater opportunities for participation for Qatari owners, whether individuals or studs and farms. The programme takes into account the diversity of shows and the participation of various categories."
Al-Kaabi added, "We hope that the benefit will be great and that we will continue to excel and lead in this discipline, especially since Qatar is a pioneer in organising these shows in the Arab region in general. In addition, Qatari major studs and farms have a long rich history in Arabian horse shows worldwide."
The QREC's commitment to showcasing the beauty and heritage of Arabian horses continues to draw global attention. Previous editions have seen champions from renowned studs across the Middle East and Europe, with many going on to achieve further glory in international competitions.
As the Arabian horse world eagerly anticipates this stellar lineup of events, Qatar once again cements its status as a powerhouse in equestrian excellence, promising a season of unparalleled beauty, competition, and celebration of the Arabian horse.