Katara International Arabian Horse Festival-2023 makes spectacular start
Festival preserves Qatar’s authentic equestrian heritage: HE Prof. Khalid Al Sulaiti
HE Prof. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, inaugurated the third edition of the festival – KIAHF 2023 on Wednesday, which 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 witnessed official visits of His Highness Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Abdullah Al Farhan Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Qatar, and His Excellency Najeeb bin Yahya Al- Balushi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Qatar.
The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival is organized by the Cultural Village Foundation - Katara, in cooperation with Qatar Equestrian Federation and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
KIAHF 2023 is sponsored by Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani & Sons Holding Group (Diamond Sponsor), Ahli Bank (Exclusive Sponsor), Vodafone (Telecom Sponsor), Ali Bin Ali Luxury (Titanium sponsor), Qatar Insurance Group (Platinum Sponsor), Hairaat Jewellery (Diamond Sponsor), Jovoy Rare Perfumes (Bronze Sponsor), Qommunication (Social Media Sponsor), and White
Event (Social Media Sponsor).
The opening day of the spectacular event witnessed the Katara International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show categories. It will take place till February 4. KIAHF also includes the Arabian Horse Auction (February 6), and the prestigious Title Show (February 8-11).
Speaking at the inauguration of the third edition of KIAHF, HE Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said: “The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival has become a milestone and a distinctive mark within the series of Katara Festivals and its 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.
He added, “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 world’s best purebred Arabian horses judged according to highest standards of arbitration. KIAHF also makes the State of Qatar a global center for auctions of the most authentic and highest quality Arabian horses. Pointing out that Katara was keen to enhance the cultural dimension
of this festival through various cultural activities that present the idea of the festival in various artistic styles and attract various groups of society.
His Excellency thanked all the sponsors of the festival.
Bader Muhammad AlDarwish, President, Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), Acting CEO, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), and KIAHF Title Show Manager, praised the cooperation and partnership between the Cultural Village Founation – Katara, QREC, QEF and Al Shaqab – Member, Qatar Foundation, and the great efforts made by HE Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim AlSulaiti, in making KIAHF one of the best equestrian events in the world.
Al-Darwish said the opening day’s competitions emphasized the strength of the competitions in all categories. He noted that the great success achieved by KIAHF in the past two editions was due to the team spirit of the organizing committee.
He also hoped that Qatar’s successes in hosting the world championships for horses would continue, especially since 2023 will also witness Katara hosting the 2023 and 2025 editions of the World Championships for Purebred Arabian Horses in December - to be held for the first time outside the French capital Paris in 40 years.
KIAHF 2023 carries a total prize-money of QAR 17,083,500 and has the participation
of 18 countries including from the Arab region, Europe and USA.
The KIAHF 2023 International Arabian Peninsula Horse Show has a total prize of QAR 3,093,500 and also has plenty of other in-kind prizes for various categories.
Various artistic and cultural events
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 opened and shall continue until the end of the festival in Building 47. The exhibition includes 17 paintings about horses.
The festival also includes a number of art exhibitions that will be opened during the 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 “The Journey”, the Tale of the Arabian Horse, and the “Brazilian Sculptures” exhibition by Roberto Clazzini - AlKarimah, 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 and where the winner shall receive QAR 30,000 as the top prize, the second QAR 20,000 and
third QAR 10,000.
The “Best Picture” Competition on Arabian purebred horses at the festival has a best prize of QAR 12,000 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 details of participation from the festival website kiahf. qa The results of the poetry competition - “Poet of the Safinat” - dedicated to Nabati poetry, and held in December will be announced on the sidelines of the Festival.