- Title: SAUDIA ARABIA: Saudi Arabia hosts Arabian horse festival
- Date: 18th January 2008
- Summary: BAND PERFORMING IN HONOUR OF PRINCE KHALID
- Embargoed: 2nd February 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Environment / Natural World
- Reuters ID: LVA9BV3GJ9G9DUCH37OOGQOPKK2F
- Story Text: An Arabian horse festival, a first of its kind event dedicated to one of the symbols of Arab Gulf culture, kicked off in Saudi Arabia's al-Khalidiya equestrian centre on Tuesday (January 15).
The four day event, which has thus far attracted a large number of local and international participants and spectators, is gearing up to become a leading festival on the global equestrian scene.
Staged in the opulence of Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdel Aziz Al Saud's farm west of Riyadh, the First al-Khalidiya Arabian Horse Festival has so far held a horse auction and a series of races. It is also scheduled to include a horse beauty contest and other horse shows.
''It's truly amazing. The function is going on beautifully and the atmosphere is great and it's been a wonderful event so far,'' said an American spectator.
The festival's main aim is to honour the Arabian horse, a long venerated symbol of the Arabian Peninsula.
Prince Fahd bin Khalid bin Sultan, son of the equestrian centre's owner and event organiser, said the pure-bred Arabian holds a special place in Saudi Arabia's history and cultural heritage.
"It's an honour for us that King Abdel Aziz was riding a pure Arab horse when he united the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The breed of the Arabian horse is known for many things, above all its beauty, and there are beauty contests in al-Khalidiya, and there are endurance contests in al-Khalidiya. It makes us proud that we are famous for our Arabian Horses, that we are the original owners and breeders, and that we are honouring this in the Saudi kingdom with a valuable prize," said Prince Fahd.
The Arabian, a breed which is thought to have first emerged five thousand years ago, is regarded by inhabitants of much of the Arab world as a symbol of great historical significance.
The Arabian horse's reputation for strength and stamina first developed when the breed was used by Arab warriors in ancient Mesopotamia. As its prowess became widely known, the Arabian subsequently became the prized possession of Arab Kings and a symbol of power and beauty. Today, it remains one of the world's most popular breed of horses.
Saudi Arabians have become the region's heavyweights in equestrian sports, and the festival demonstrated Saudi Arabians' enthusiasm for the discipline.
"Regarding the al-Khalidiya races, I thank God that our horses were in good form and God helped us and granted us this victory in both rounds in which we participated," said horse trainer Mousa al-Masoudi, who trained the horse which won the festival's final race.
Saudi Arabia has been putting horse riding at the top of its sporting agenda in recent years. The Kingdom has already held various regional and international equestrian events, albeit none as grand or comprehensive as the al-Khalidiya festival, and has an impressive team of home-grown jockeys. In the 2000 Olympics, showjumper Khaled al-Eid earned Saudi Arabia one of its two Olympic medals -- a bronze.
With the launch of the Arabian Horse Festival, Saudi Arabia is consolidating its position as the region's leader in the sport.
"The most important thing in this race and festival is the participation of many horse owners and jockeys, and hopefully the numbers will increase and their profile will expand. We in al-Khalidiya are always prepared to offer any assistance needed to help to raise the standard of sport anywhere," said the al-Khalidiya centre owner and festival director Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdel Aziz Al Saud.
In a country where soccer has historically been the most popular sport, and where sports fans are overwhelmingly male, the rise in popularity of equestrian sports is also having something of a social impact. A significant number of Saudi women and girls have become involved in horse racing and horse shows -- so far only as spectators -- and now entire families are able to attend equestrian sporting events together.
''It's an incredible thing for one to bring his family and to enjoy watching the original Arabian horses and watch them race,'' said spectator Ghazi Shammaa.
Jockey's, breeders and trainers came from around the globe to participate in the festival, securing its position as one of the leading equestrian events in the region, said Mutlaq bin Mishrif, manager of the al-Khalidiya stables.
''This festival brought together 19 nations. Participants have come from the US, Brazil, Argentina and Europe and from numerous Arab countries and Saudi Arabia. Around 22 nations are represented here in one place in these stables,'' bin Mishrif said.
A 45-thousand Saudi rial watch (around 12,000 U.S. dollars) and 390 thousand rials (104,000 U.S. dollars) worth of gifts and prizes were split between the winners of first, second and third place in Tuesday's final race. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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