| |
Arabian Horse
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.
|
|
