Beauty of the beast on show in Fujairah
Elegance, strength and loyalty, qualities the Arabian horse has in abundance, are put to the test during a four-day championship outside the emirate’s historic fort, Ruba Haza reports
FUJAIRAH // The beauty of Arabian horses was on show last night on day one of the four-day Fujairah Arabian Horse Championship.
About 480 horses from around the country will participate in the event, now in its second year. Judges and spectators will assess each horse’s beauty, refinement and strength. The championship, against the backdrop of Fujairah Fort, kicked off with the fillies category – with 140 horses up to two years old taking part.
The event was launched under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and following the directives by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
For trainer Abdulkhader Sab, from Al Qasimi Stud in Sharjah, this competition is an exciting occasion.
“I trained more than 1,000 horses during the past 19 years and participated in many contests, but each time I feel like it’s the first,” the Indian trainer said. “It takes from one to two months to train a horse depending on its age.
“It requires a lot of hard work, but at the end we get rewarded and that makes us proud.” Another participant said Arabian horses had all the qualities required for intense competition. “They should be trained on how to walk with their heads up and back straight,” said Hamad Mohammed, an Egyptian horse trainer from Al Jazeera Stud in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s not that hard to train and prepare the Arabian horses for such competitions, they are born ready.
“I started working as a trainer in 2006.
“It’s a passion and I have participated in many national and international contests. This is our second time participating in this huge championship.” Emirati trainer Ahmad Al Yamahi from Fujairah said building a special connection between horse and trainer was key to success.
“The trainer should establish a unique connection between himself and the horse if he wants to get excellent results,” the 27-year-old said.
The Fujairah championship, he said, had a special place in his heart.
“I started training five years ago and have participated in many national and international shows, but this championship is so special to me because it’s being held in my own town and I’m proud of it.”
Spectators came from all over the east coast to see the spectacular Arabian horses.
“Our daughter loves horses and the show was truly amazing,” said Heba Zaydan, a 27- year- old Syrian who came with her husband and two-yearold daughter.
Her husband, Salah Qawaf, 33, also appreciated the choice of location for the background of the event.
“They picked the right place,” he said.
“The fort, which is considered a piece of the past and the great Arabian history, is here surrounded by Arabian horses that also remind us of our ancestors and the old days.”