Doha : The seventh edition of the Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival got under way on Tuesday and will run until Jan. 27, drawing wide participation from owners and breeders and featuring some of the finest purebred Arabian horses.
Organised by the Celebrations Committee of the Private Engineering Office, the festival has become a prominent fixture on Qatar’s cultural and sporting calendar, highlighting the beauty, strength and agility of Arabian horses and reinforcing their place in the country’s heritage.
Horses competing on the opening day showcased strong physical qualities and elegant movement, reflecting the high standards of breeding represented at the event. Tournament director Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Mansour and general supervisor Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Naama presented awards to the day’s winners.
Al Naama said the festival’s reputation continues to grow, noting a significant rise in entries despite adjustments to competition rules. He told Qatar News Agency that this year’s edition features around 50 more horses than last year, underlining owners’ confidence and enthusiasm.
He added that organisers were keen to deliver a distinctive edition that builds on the success of previous festivals and meets the expectations of participants and the public at Souq Waqif.
