Saturday, Mar 22, 2014
Dubai After three days of enthralling entertainment, the 11th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship (DIAHC) came to a grand finale at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday evening.
With prize money as high as $250,000 on offer to the winner, there was intense competition in the Championship classes.
Ajman Stud’s Emandoria, one of the most decorated mares in recent history, added another feather to her bow when she was crowned Gold Champion, for Mares over tree years.
However, it was not an easy victory for the nine-year-old mare who only scored by one point from Badawieh AA. Al Lahab was a distant third in the scoring by nine judges. Emandoria was declared the winner after reviewing the scores of seven of the judges according to the competitions rules.
She has won some of the most prestigious titles in the world including World Champion, European Champion, All Nations Cup Champion , Las Vegas Breeders World Cup and US National Champion mare.
Emandoria, who also has her own page on Facebook, was one of the star attractions of the event that boasted a competition roster of over 400 horses from 21 countries and record prize money totally $4.6million.
Marquis Cahr, representing the powerful Al Khalediah Stables of Saudi Arabia, tied with Abha Qatar in the Championship for Stallions, aged three and over.
Marquis is a son of Marwan Al Shaqab who is a two-time World Champion (in 2001 and 2002).
Abha Qatar is a former World Bronze Champion Stallion, Gold Senior Champion Stallion All Nations Cup Aachen, Stallion World Silver Champion Stallion, All Nations Cup Junior Gold Champion Stallion, Junior European Champion Gold Stallion and Junior World Gold Champion Stallion.
D Shahla, the 2014 Abu Dhabi Gold Champion Filly, was a convicing winner of the 2-3 year Championship where she wowed judges with his presence in the ring.
Nastya OS was declared Silver Champion and Delights Divah RB Bronze Champion.
Foaled in 2012, the Dubai Arabian Horse Stud’s handsome grey was also a unanimous Champion at the Koksijde International Show in Belgium last year and Gold Champion at the Ajman Arabian horse show earlier this year.
FA El Rasheem, a multi national champion, scored full marks on all the judges score sheets to clinch the Colts title.
The curtain also came down on the 10th Dubai International Horse Fair with the final day’s highlights being polo demonstrations organised by the Dubai Polo Club and Equestrian Club, an equestrian-themed Art Gallery and a celebration of local culture at the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) organised Heritage Village.
More than 200 companies and brands from five continents were represented at the Fair with new participants including France, Iran, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Tanzania.
Leading international and local companies and organisations showcased a range of products and services to cater to the burgeoning regional equine industry. Participating companies include Ajman Stud, Al Hawajer Stud, Dubai Arabian Stud, Dubai Equine Hospital, Dubai Racing Channel Studio, Jebel Ali Racecourse and Shadwell Stud, based in the United Kingdom, among others.
By Leslie Wilson Jr Racing & Special Features Writer
Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.
