Stage set for $4m Arabian Horse Championship

Dubai: The stage is set for the $4 million (Dh14.69 million) Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships (DIAHC), which start on Thursday at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The three-day event is essentially a beauty competition for Purebred Arabian horses, from the very young to the elderly statesmen of the Arabian equine world.

Horses will compete in 12 qualifying classes, with the top two in each class advancing to the finals, where they will vie for four prestigious championship titles — Senior Male and Female and Junior Male and Female. They will be judged on appearance, agility and heritage.

Now in their ninth year, the championships are held under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Ziad Galadari, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said that the championships have grown in quality and popularity since their inauguration in 2004 and have now become established as one of the marquee events for Purebred Arabians.

The 2011 event was a huge success, with 274 horses entered from 24 countries, and this year’s championship promises to be even bigger and better.

The event will once again be supported by the Dubai International Horse Fair, which will open alongside the event at the World Trade Centre. The Horse Fair is the largest equestrian exhibition in the region and caters to everyone in the equestrian world from trade to consumers. Both these events are open to the public free of charge.

The three-day event will also stage an auction of Purebred Arabian horses, organised by Pioneer Auctions and will be held on the final day on March 17, from 11am to 4pm.

Yasir Al Naeem, CEO of ARMS Group and Pioneer Auctions, said: “The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship serves the diverse equestrian community and is an increasingly important date for the global industry. With our auctions, visitors will have the opportunity to buy Arabian horses that highlight their beauty, agility & heritage.”

Registrations for the auction will open on Friday, March 16, from 2pm to 6pm.

Interested buyers and bidders will also have the opportunity to register on the day of the auction itself, which will be held in Hall 5 of the World Trade Centre.

2012 Championship Programme

Thursday, March 15
9:00am Racing & Endurance Championships
3:00pm Fillies & Mares

Friday, March 16
10:00am Ridden Class
3:00 pm Mares & colts

Saturday, March 17

11:00 am - 2:00 pm: Horse Auction
4:00 pm: Qualifying classes
6:45 pm Championships: Junior Female; Senior Female; Junior Male; Senior Male.