UAE- Adihex 2015: Saluki beauty competition falcon and horse shows

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)The 13th Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) opens today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre bigger yet again than before.

The four-day event has attracted 650 participants from 40 countries 125 of them UAE based who will exhibit their falconry hunting camping off-road and outdoors sports products over an area of 41000 square metres.

"Throughout its previous editions Adihex has attracted vast participations from around the world and it became a destination for all hunting and equestrian gear producers as well as tens of thousands of visitors and interested parties" said Majed Ali Al Mansouri chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of Adihex and Executive Director of Emirates Falconers' Club which organises the exhibition with the support of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi (CPHFC).

Many of the old favourites are returning to Adihex but there are some new events among the 16 different types of activities that full pack the show's schedule.

The camel auction the Arabian saluki beauty competition falcon and horse shows and competitions the K9 show presenting the skills and abilities of Abu Dhabi Police trained dogs horse dressage and equestrian skills presented by the Dhabian Equestrian Club are all part of Adihex 2015.

New this year are a series of lectures and workshops mostly on Emirati culture heritage and environment topics for both adults and children meant to enhance the educational aspect of the exhibition.

"With more exhibition space and participation we developed a lot of cultural and heritage activities at Adihex. We have over 80 cultural environmental and professional workshops lectures and various other activities and more than 41 sessions in the arena on camel bird and horse shows" explained Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi director of Adihex and projects director of CPHFC.

"There is a daily programme for families which is part of our strategy of increasing awareness about the Emirati heritage" he added.

Some of the new and must-attend events at Adihex this year take place in CPHFC's 1000 square metres pavilion. One of them is a photo exhibition by Agence France Presse photographers displaying some stunning photographs many of them prestigious prize winners. All photos were taken in the UAE in 2014 depicting Emirati lifestyle customs and traditions.

Another stand-out event happens in the Falconers' Corner of CPHFC pavilion where several falconers who used to accompany the late Shaikh Zayed in his hunting expeditions are invited to share their memories with visitors.

A partner and sponsor for Adihex for the past several years the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Arabian Horse Festival (the Festival) is back again with a few surprises.

"Daily during Adihex we are giving away Dh25000 in cash and also electronic gifts such as mini iPad iPhone Samsung watches and phones all summing up to Dh500000 during the four-days show" revealed Lara Sawaya executive director of the festival.

To win visitors must register their name during the day at the exhibition's Hall 11 and watch Yas TV at 7.30pm when the day's winners are announced. Spread across 2200 square meters the festival promotes an ancient Arab passion and a cultural heritage the Arabian horse through several modern equestrian sports. It comprises the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Cup Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship Wathba Stud Farm Cup International Arabian Horse Championship Conference Darley Awards "Mother of the UAE" in Hollywood Ability Ladies Championship World Professional Equestrian Championship supervised by the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR) and the International Federation of Equestrian in Endurance Race.

The jewel of them all is the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Cup known as the Crown Jewel which will take place on November 8 here.

"It is the most expensive Arabian horse race in the world the cup award summing up to Euro1200000" said Sawaya.

How many winners will share the cash will be decided later on by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan patron of the festival.

Silvia Radan