Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi International Arabian Horse Championship 'Title Show' commenced on Friday evening at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, featuring 369 horses, with 114 entries from outside the UAE. The three-day event is organized by the Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS) following the guidelines of the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO). The championship offers a total prize fund of approximately £4 million ($4.3 million), highlighting its prominence on the international Arabian horse championship calendar.
According to Emirates News Agency, notable figures attending the opening event included Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Dr Ali Hamad Al Dhaheri, Director of the Office of the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs; and Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, Director-General of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society and Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee. The event also drew horse owners, stud managers, and horse enthusiasts from around the world.
In the Yearling Fillies - Section A category, Palmah O from Al Shira'aa Stables secured the top position with 92.15 points. Joana Al Remas from Al Remas Stud followed with 91.05 points, while Venicia Al Bidayer, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saoud Al Qassimi, garnered 90.90 points.
Mozn SH, owned by Nasser Misfer Al Hajri of Qatar, triumphed in Section B of the same category with 91.35 points. Selene Al Bidayer, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saoud Al Qassimi, came in second with 90.95 points, and RDS Nourah of Ajman Stud secured third place with the same score.
In the Two-Year-Old Fillies - Section A, AD Najwa owned by Hamad Adnan Al Shehhi led with 91.45 points. Donia J of Jadem Arabians BVBA Christine Jamar from Belgium and Falwa Al Shaqab from Qatar's Al Shaqab Stud both scored 91.30 points.
Sheikh Mohammed Saoud Al Qassimi's horses excelled as Ajeebah Al Bidayer led Section B of the Two-Year-Old Fillies with 91.60 points. D Neeran from Dubai Stud and Forelock's YBO from Forelock's Arabians (Netherlands) followed.
In the Three-Year-Old Fillies - Section A, Sedra Al Ghazali from Hanaya Stud (Switzerland) took the lead with 92.15 points. Sana OS from Lubochnia Stud (Germany) and Wojood Al Bahia from Ras Al Khaimah Stud followed.
UAE-owned horses dominated Section B, with Esfera EA, owned by Rashid Ghanem Al Hajri, taking first place with 91.00 points. AJ Najwa, owned by Khaled Ghanem Al Omairi, and Haya Al Fahaid, owned by Mohammed Saeed Al Hajri, both scored 90.60 points.
In the Mares 4 Years and Above - Section A, Shaden Yasser from Hanaya Stud (Switzerland) achieved the highest score of the day with 92.90 points. AJ Raseel from Amara Stables and Bint Aljaleela FN from Fawaz Al Nabulsi (Jordan) followed.
Mzoon Al Diriyah, owned by Misfer Mohammed Al Hajri (Qatar), led Section B of the Mares 4 Years and Above with 91.85 points. J.M.H. Hajer, owned by Jumah Al Shmeili, and AD Bdoor, owned by Hamad Adnan Al Shehhi, followed closely.
The competition is set to continue on Saturday, promising more thrilling performances and showcasing the beauty and grace of Arabian horses.