logo
Judges picked for Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship

Judges picked for Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship

Gulf Today06-02-2025

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the 22nd edition of the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship (DIAHC) will be held from March 21-23 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Preparations are underway for the championship — an event celebrating the grace and heritage of Purebred Arabian horses taking place at the Conference Hall 7-8 over three days.
The announcement came during a judges selection draw held at Dubai World Trade Centre, attended by Qusai Obaidalla, Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship Director and Board Member; Khalid Al Hammadi, SVP DXB Live DWTC; Abdullah Lootah, Assistant VP Production and Delivery DXB Live DWTC; Saif Ahli; and Adel Alfalasi, Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship Executive Manager.
The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship is regarded as one of the world's most prestigious horse competitions, making it a must-attend event for the biggest and most well-respected owners of Arabian horses and elite stables.
Coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, this year's event will feature a distinct aura of heritage and tradition, allowing horse enthusiasts, sports enthusiasts, and families to enjoy special Ramadan evenings filled with fun activities for visitors of all ages.
The show's 10 judges and two reserves were selected by a raffle draw from a pool of 23 highly experienced judges.
The draw selected James Constanti from the US, Murilo Kammer from Brazil, Tarek Hamza from Egypt, Elyas Ebrahim Faraj from Bahrain, Anna Stojanowska from Poland, Christine Valette from France, Christine Jamar from Belgium, Gideon Reisel from the Netherlands, Eric Gear from France, and Urs Aeschebacher from Switzerland. The draw also selected reserve judges, including Jonas Salzmann from Kuwait and Mark Veray from France.
All of the invitees have participated in judging panels at previous editions of the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship.
'We have carefully selected the judges, ensuring that they represent a diverse range of expertise and uphold the highest standards of fairness, said Qusai Obaidalla.
'Their extensive experience in Arabian horse competitions will contribute to the integrity and prestige of the event. Additionally, we are honoured to host this championship during the holy month of Ramadan, adding a deeper cultural and spiritual significance to the occasion.
'We look forward to a remarkable competition that celebrates the beauty, heritage, and excellence of Purebred Arabian horses.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Farida P wins UAE President's Cup race in Sweden
Farida P wins UAE President's Cup race in Sweden

Gulf Today

time4 days ago

  • Gulf Today

Farida P wins UAE President's Cup race in Sweden

The mare Farida P secured a valuable victory by winning the UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses at its sixth stop, held at Gardet Turf Racecourse in Stockholm. The race coincided with Sweden's National Day celebrations and attracted a large crowd of over 50,000 spectators. The UAE President's Cup Series is being held under the patronage and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. It supports a forward-looking vision for the development of Arabian horse racing, empowering owners and breeders worldwide, and promoting the breeding and ownership of Arabian horses to preserve their noble heritage. With the conclusion of the Swedish leg—the sixth race on the calendar of the 32nd edition—the series continues to record remarkable success across European circuits. The UAE President's Cup has cemented its leadership and global identity among the world's premier equestrian events in Europe and America, confirming its strong presence in shaping a new era for Arabian horse racing. Farida P, descended from (Al Mourtajez x Hania Dea by Majd Al Arab), owned and trained by Pieter Dekkers and ridden by jockey Fabian Lefebvre, delivered a brilliant performance in the most valuable Arabian horse race in Scandinavian history. With a prize purse of €100,000, the Listed race was run over 1,500 metres on turf and was open to horses aged four and above. It featured nine of the top Arabian horses from Sweden and Europe. Farida P surged from behind with a powerful burst in the final stretch to take the lead and claim the title in spectacular fashion. Wissam Al Khalediah (Ghadanfer Al Khalediah x Shatha Al Khalediah), trained by Janusz Kozlowski and ridden by Per-Anders Graberg, secured second place. Gindor de Bozouls (Al Mourtajez x Oudjidor de Bozouls by Dormane), owned by Omar Jorjar, trained by Elizabeth Bernard Jean-François, and ridden by Mickael Forest, finished third. Farida P completed the race in 1:38.08 minutes, raising her win tally to 13 victories, and securing her second UAE President's Cup title after winning the Dutch leg last year. The race was attended by Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary General of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, Ahmed Al Mansouri, representative of the UAE Embassy in Sweden, Suhail Zbibi, Vice President of the Swedish Arabian Horse Association, and Saeed Al Muhairi, representative of the organizing committee. In his statement, Musallam Al Amri, Member of the Higher Organizing Committee, said: 'We are proud of the impressive success that the UAE President's Cup continues to achieve across European tracks. The Swedish race has been a prime example of this success and reflects the Cup's significance among Arabian horse owners and breeders around the world. Hosting the race on Sweden's National Day, with such a large audience, demonstrates the committee's commitment to embodying the vision of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed and his leadership in elevating Arabian horse racing through participation in major global events. These strong races and generous prizes continue to support breeders and owners worldwide.' He added: 'We commend the success of the Swedish round, the strong participation from top Arabian stables across Sweden and Europe, and the exceptional turnout. We are also proud of the widespread positive response the UAE President's Cup continues to receive across European racecourses.'

Formula One reveals calendar for 2026 season
Formula One reveals calendar for 2026 season

Al Etihad

time4 days ago

  • Al Etihad

Formula One reveals calendar for 2026 season

10 June 2025 12:29 BERLIN, GERMANY (dpa)Formula One and motorsports ruling body FIA revealed on Tuesday the calendar for the 2026 season with 24 season will start with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8 and conclude at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will again be held in April due to Ramadan taking place throughout February and March. The first European race will be the Monaco Grand Prix on June 7. Besides the race in Barcelona on June 14, Spain will also host the inaugural event in Madrid taking place on September Imola race, meanwhile, has been removed from the calendar after it failed to renew its contract. Italy will then host only the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September will have their summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26 and return on August 23 at the Dutch Grand Prix.F1 is expected to continue with six sprint events in 2026, with three-day tests planned in Barcelona and Bahrain. The 2026 season will see two major changes in the sport. Cadillac will become the 11th team, bringing up the grid to 22 cars, while major regulations are to come into force - including new power units running 100% advanced sustainable fuels.

Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses launch of ‘National Service Athlete Program'
Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses launch of ‘National Service Athlete Program'

Al Etihad

time5 days ago

  • Al Etihad

Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses launch of ‘National Service Athlete Program'

9 June 2025 15:06 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, on Monday witnessed the launch of the 'National Service Athlete Program', a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of programme is designed to support elite Emirati athletes enlisted in national service by integrating them into tailored sports programmes. It enables them to continue their training and skill development during their service period and to participate in competitions that impact their international rankings or qualifications for major global launch was held at a special event organised by the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The event was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs. During the event, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed met with recruits forming the programme's first Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reaffirmed that supporting elite athletes is a national priority aligned with the UAE leadership's vision of empowering Emiratis across all sectors — including sports, which plays a pivotal role in shaping character and enhancing the nation's global profile by nurturing young national talent.'Athletes are our ambassadors on the global stage. We are committed to creating an environment that enables them to thrive. The integration of national service with athletic development strengthens the physical and mental capabilities of our youth, preparing them to be future leaders and guardians of our national achievements, while instilling discipline and dedication,' His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Highness added: 'The launch of the 'National Service Athlete Program' reflects a strong spirit of collaboration between government entities to support high-performing athletes, uncover new talent, and develop champions who will proudly represent the UAE. We believe physical readiness and competitive spirit are shared values between sports and national service. This programme lays the foundation for a long-term strategic pathway that advances our national vision."Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said: 'This programme marks a significant step in developing national sports and supporting the physical readiness of our elite athletes during national service. It harnesses the combined strengths of both ministries to strengthen national identity and deliver on the strategic priority of building a healthy and active society.'He added: 'The programme directly contributes to the goals of the 'National Sports Strategy 2031', particularly in promoting physical activity among Emirati youth and enhancing their athletic and professional capabilities. It also supports the wider ambitions of 'We the UAE 2031' to empower our youth and ensure their ability to serve the nation with the highest level of commitment and excellence.'Commenting on the programme, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei said: 'We are committed to channelling the potential of our youth into paths that benefit the country and enhance their overall readiness. The 'National Service Athlete Program' provides an enabling training environment for elite athletes to continue advancing in their sport while fulfilling their national duty.'He added: 'This initiative also allows us to identify new talent among national service recruits and support them through a flexible system that blends military discipline with athletic excellence. The programme prepares a new generation of well-rounded individuals ready to represent the UAE at the highest levels.'The programme marks a strategic milestone in mobilising national capabilities in service of the country. It aims to sustain and enhance the athletic performance of Emirati athletes during their service, while also enabling their participation in external competitions. Technical teams will conduct assessments and regular evaluations of selected recruits to identify emerging addition, the programme fosters collaboration to strengthen the performance of national service recruits and help uncover their full athletic potential. The inaugural cohort includes athletes who will represent the UAE in major upcoming events, most notably the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, as well as a range of regional and international tournaments. Participants span diverse disciplines including fencing, equestrian, archery, athletics, and combat sports — demonstrating the UAE's commitment to cultivating talent across the full spectrum of programme is built on a robust framework of coordination between both ministries, covering the organisation of joint sports activities, athlete participation in tournaments, and workshops aimed at enhancing sports and fitness capabilities. It also supports knowledge exchange, logistical assistance, and joint efforts in developing technical and administrative expertise in sports coaching and related fields. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant stakeholders will oversee the implementation of the programme's initiatives. The committee will meet regularly to monitor progress and ensure alignment with shared strategic goals.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store