Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition features unique equipment

Abu Dhabi: From gold-engraved knives to precision shotguns, a range of specialist hunting equipment and weaponry adorned the stands at the 11th renowned Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) in the capital.

On its second day on Thursday, the event wooed visitors from across the region, who were scouting around for everything hunting-related, including gear, rifles, handguns and knives.

“The Adihex is regionally known as one of the most important events for hunting enthusiasts. I have gone hunting with my family for the past four years, and this year, I flew down with them to look for special edition pistols and handy knives,” Hamad Al Ateya, a 16-year-old student from Qatar told Gulf News.

Al Ateya is in town until Saturday, and said he is expecting to collect items that will add to his hunting collection.

Adihex, which is organised by the Emirates Falconer’s Club in association with the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee, was expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors during its four-day run. This year, it features more than 600 exhibitors. On its first day alone, festival organisers recorded 27,000 visitors.

Exhibitors offering hunting equipment also said they were seeing tremendous footfall this year.

“We receive numerous orders during the show, and the best part is we also reconnect with old friends from the industry,” said Mohammad Al Amiri, manager of Tamreen Sports, which specialises in producing knives and flashlights.

About 60 different models of knives were on display at the Tamreen stand, many of them made in the UAE. Al Amiri said that 70 per cent of the company’s customers came back again and again to purchase knives from the company.

“Our most popular knife is a lightweight model from William Henry known as the E10. This year, we have the E10 UAE, which is made with the same specifications but has a camel bone handle,” Al Amiri said.

Brisk sale

But it was another pocket knife that was garnering the most interest at the stall. Hand-engraved with a Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque design and the late UAE president and founder, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it is made from high-end stainless steel, inlaid with gold and features diamond buttons.

“This is one of five high-end pieces, and a true collector’s item. We are expecting about Dh70,000 for each knife,” Al Amiri said. At the nearby MP3 stall, precision rifles, pistols and revolvers sold briskly.

“We specialise in military supplies, and equipment for hunting and shooting sports. The weapons are produced mainly in Germany, Italy and France. One of our unique rifles this year has a Ferrari World theme, while another is perfect for hunting big animals like elephants and buffalos,” a representative said.

Furniture made from animal skins and antlers was also on display, and while prices were variable, the representative said one of the chairs would sell for about Dh25,000.

In addition to the traditional guns and knives, archery equipment also saw heightened interest at this year’s Adihex, with visitors purchasing bows and arrows both for sport and for the purposes of hunting.

Hubert Wursthorn, owner of Archery Logistics, a German company that produces regular and specialist equipment, said that during the 10th Adihex last year he sold all of his items on the second day.

“This year, I have come prepared with more archery sets. One of our specialities is the hand-made bows made from beautiful wood. Archery enthusiasts will also love the compound bows that allow them to aim and draw with more precision. Each sells between Dh3,000 and Dh5,000,” he said.