Exciting start to Arabian horse show

Dubai: The 5th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, a competition for Purebred Arabian horses, showcasing their beauty, agility and heritage, opened yesterday with over 300 horses vying for prize money totalling a staggering $4million.

The event is run over three days and culminates in the Championship classes for the most exquisite horses.

Under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, the championship is the most prestigious competition of its kind in the world.

Last year's championships were a huge success with 295 horses entered from 14 countries and competing for prizes valued at $1m.

At this year's event there will be the added bonuses and excitement of the final round of the Dubai Gold Cup - International Series.

Final points awarded in Dubai will be double for any other show in the series so competition will be at its best.

The championship will again be enhanced in 2008 with the staging of the Dubai International Horse Fair, which will also opened yesterday.

Both events are open to the public free of charge.