• The event saw 10 winners across different categories
• 511 horses from various countries competed, drew an audience of more than 8,000 people

Hebshi Shammari

RIYADH: The International Championship for Purebred Arabian Horses (Kahila) wrapped up its second edition on Sunday after five days of competitions at Riyadh Front Exhibitions and Convention Center.

The event saw 10 categories, including fillies, mares, foals, and a championship for purebred Arabian horses of Saudi origin – as well as the stallion championship.

Horse beauty contests are increasing in popularity in the Kingdom, although they still need to be developed further, stable owners told Arab News.

The event, in which 511 horses from various countries competed, drew an audience of more than 8,000 people, according to Wafi Al-Qahtani, head of the organizing committee.

And he said the 10-day event went off without a glitch.

“The concept of this contest was inspired by the noseband of Kahila, a horse of the founder of the Third Saudi State, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman,” he said.

The championship was held under the patronage of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the Horse Racing Club. The event was attended by world specialists and ambassadors from countries around the world.

The competition, in part, honors the horses of King Abdulaziz, and those the king gifted to world leaders.

One of the most famous horses gifted by King Abdulaziz was Turfa, an Arabian mare gifted to King George VI on his coronation as the King of the United Kingdom. King Abdulaziz also gave the Queen of the Netherlands two horses: Kahila Jalabi and Kahila Sabiliya.

This week’s event saw the registration period last 11 days to allow horse owners time to prepare. Some participants were nominated by the European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations.

The competition, Al-Qahtani said, reflects the “pride in the history and heritage of the purebred Arabian horse, and highlights this ancient sport and the Kingdom’s efforts in promoting it in local and international events.”

Hail Al-Enezi, owner of Al-Hawail Stables, who took part in the championship, said the popularity of horse beauty contests has increased across the Kingdom.

Bandar bin Ghadeer, a partner in MBO Stables, said that though horse beauty competitions in Saudi Arabia have gained prominence, “they require more development.”

He described the competition as “extremely difficult.”

• The winners: Shaman Al-Areeb won Golden Champion KSA Desert Bred Fillies; Nabil Alsakab, owned by Alsakab Stables, won Golden Champion Senior Stallions; Khaznah II, owned by Almasan Stables, won Golden Champion KSA Desert Bred Mares; and Muhanad RH, owned by Baqeeq Stables, won the Golden Champion KSA Desert Bred Stallions.