Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the activities of the “26th Sharjah International Festival for the Arabian Horse” will kick off tomorrow, Friday, on the sandy indoor arena of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club. The festival, which will continue until April 6, is organized in cooperation with the European Association of Arabian Horse Shows (ECAHO) and the Emirates Arabian Horse Society. A total of 251 horses representing 12 countries—namely the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Austria, and Switzerland—will participate in the competitions, under the sponsorship of Sharjah International Airport Authority and the Sharjah Sports Council.
The first day of the festival includes four races. The first is for one-year-old fillies, divided into two categories “A – B,” with 13 horses in category A and 12 in category B. This is followed by the second race for two-year-old fillies, divided into two categories “A – B,” with 20 horses in category A and 20 in category B. Next is the third race for three-year-old fillies, with 19 horses in category A. The first day of the festival concludes with the fourth race, designated for mares aged four years and older, divided into two categories “A – B,” with 19 horses in category A and the same number in category B.
Ali Salem Al-Madfa, Chairman of Sharjah International Airport Authority, confirmed that the authority’s sponsorship of the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival for over 20 years embodies a steadfast commitment to supporting events that celebrate the authentic cultural heritage of the UAE. This aligns with the authority’s vision of establishing social responsibility and enhancing its contribution to preserving the national identity, which is an integral part of the comprehensive developmental aspirations. He explained that the festival serves as a global platform attracting a wide audience of Arabian horse enthusiasts and equestrian fans, highlighting the cultural and civilizational leadership of the Emirate of Sharjah on both the Arab and international levels.
