Pure Arab horses continue to be bred for racing and for show purposes and we can expect to see some of the world’s champions competing at the International Arabian Horse show here in Qatar from March 26th – 28the at Al Rayyan showground.

Since the event was first held here in 1992, breeders and owners fro the gulf and Middle East, Europe and Australia, have brought their best horses here to compete. International judges come from countries such as Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Australia and the USA to judge the pure Arabian horses which must be registered in World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) authorized Studbooks and are judged under ECAHO (European Commission of Arab Horse Organization) rules.

There are separate classes for yearling, 2 year old and 3 year old fillies and the same for colts, for mares 4-6 years old, 7-10 years old and 11 years and over and the same for stallions. A scale of points for 1-20 is awarded by each member of a 3 judge panel for Type, Head and Neck, Body and Topline, Legs and Movement. Horses placed first and second in each class qualify for the appropriate Championship. There are also prizes for sire Produce Group (the sire which has produced the best three horsed of any age); Dam Produce Group; Liberty Class to Music for fillies and mares colts and stallions (3 minutes at liberty in the ring, with music of the handler’s choice – horses are judged on movement and balance) and for Most Beautiful Head. There is also Ridden Class in which the individual pattern and manners of the horse are judged alongside the saddler and general turnout of the horse and rider. Horses enter the ring on the right rein to walk, trot and canter, change rein across the ring and then repeat the exercise on the left rein. Further trophies go to the high point horse owned by a citizen of Qatar; Qatar-born high-point horse; leading Stud Farm of the show and Horse with the Highest Points. Like any ‘beauty’ contest, there are strict rules: there can be no alternation to the basic colour of the skin, cat or hooves; colourless varnishes, coat dyes and cosmetic operations including skin grafts are forbidden! (But colourless hoof oil, Vaseline or oil and white chalk used on white legs are permitted!) Artificial means of dilating the eyes are banned, as is the use of weights or artificially weighted shoes. Horses can be fully or partially body clipped, but the eyelashes must be uncut, the hair inside the ears unshaved and tactile hair left intact around the nose, muzzle and eyes.

Show horses are specially trained to perform in the ring, standing majestically with their necks stretched and arched, responding to verbal instructions from their handlers. Just a very slight upward movement of a riding crop held in front of the horse’s head and it will stretch its neck out towards it! Qualities the judges are looking for are wide flared nostrils, a dished forehead, straight legs and a host of other attributes.

These beautiful creatures form part of the heritage of the Gulf and Middle East and the International Arabian Horse Show provides a wonderful opportunity to watch and photograph these magnificent creatures.