The 15th Dubai International Horse Fair will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on March 21st. The event, which is being hosted in conjunction with the 16th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, is gathering competitors and exhibitors from all over the world, as well as riders and fans of the sport. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, is hosting the two events, which will end on March 23rd.
The Dubai International Horse Fair brings together leading equestrian equipment companies, owners, breeders, stables, clubs, veterinarians, services and care products, all serving the needs of both professional and leisure riders, as well as wider horse enthusiasts, as the region’s largest trade platform for the equine sector.
With pony racing organized by Al Dhabi, interactive sessions on animal maintenance, an equestrian-themed art gallery, unique displays by world-renowned trainer Miguel Duarte, live equestrian performances, the annual Horse Auction for Arabian Purebred Horses, which takes place tomorrow, March 21st, and a rare performance by the Dubai Police band and their canine patrol – plus the force’s own exhilarating horsing around – the event is expected to attract families and the general public
For the first time this year, the event will feature demonstrations linked to falconry and saluki hunting dogs, two more highly cherished aspects of UAE history and heritage.
The Emirates Falconers Club will make their debut with a falconry presentation, sharing their knowledge of the rich history of falconry and its unique role in Emirati culture, while the Arabian Saluki Centre will show off some of their prized canines. The Centre will attempt to convey to visitors the sport – almost an art – of hunting with these magnificent creatures, which, unlike most canine breeds, track and chase down their prey using sight rather than scent.
The Dubai International Horse Fair will focus on equine healthcare in 2019, with innovative products ranging from cutting-edge portable medical laser light therapy devices, produced by US-based Multi Radiance Medical, to tailored individual lighting for the wellbeing of horses among the products being exhibited for the first time in the region.
The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, held in conjunction with the Horse Fair, is the most renowned beauty contest for Purebred Arabian horses, ranging in age from foals to senior gentlemen. With prize money of US$4 million (AED15 million) on the line, the Championship is likely to draw a large crowd of equestrian fans from around the world. It will take place throughout the course of the three days of the event, culminating with the Championship classes
This year’s Fair is projected to attract over 10,000 buyers, experts, breeders, and enthusiasts from over 25 countries, as well as over 200 brands and companies. Serbia, China, Lebanon, Malaysia, Serbia, and Turkey are among the countries exhibiting for the first time this year. The event will take place in the Dubai World Trade Centre’s Zabeel Halls 5 and 6.