Abu Dhabi, 26 September 2022
A remarkable set of the most exquisite live performances will
be performed at the Live Performances Arena of Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian
Exhibition (ADIHEX 2022) before the audience of the largest event of its kind
in the Middle East and Africa. The Exhibition is organized by the Emirates
Falconers’ Club, starting today Monday and over 7 consecutive days at the Abu Dhabi
National Exhibition Center. Visitors are promised exceptional shows of birds of
prey, Saluki, police dogs, horses, camels, and many other animals that can only
be seen in the Exhibition, during a seven-day adventure of fun and rare shows that
everyone can enjoy closely and even participate in.
The featues of Live Performances Arena in (ADIHEX 2022) are
at the forefront of the celebration session that marks the twentieth
anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). Since
its first launch in 2003, ADIHEX has become a symbol of optimism for falconers,
announcing the start of the annual hunting season. For hunting enthusiasts,
it’s considered an auspicious event that bodes well for the mild climate needed
for the camping trips, equestrian and authentic sports. In its twentieth
anniversary, ADIHEX invites the visitors to enjoy the exciting musical horse
show, and other special performances, with the participation of the Dhabian
Equestrian Club, Boudheib Equestrian Academy, Abu Dhabi Police, Al Ain Zoo, and
Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA).
Many interesting events will also be held in the Live
Performances Arena, including the Arabian Saluki Beauty Contest, horse and
falcon auctions, and camel races, in addition to the Arabian Horse Beauty
Contests shows presented by the Emirates Arabian Horse Association (EAHA). As
for the Abu Dhabi Police, the Cavalry and Police Dogs (K9) Unit will present
special performances showcasing its outstanding skills and capabilities, supported
by excellent national expertise and competencies. Once again, Al Ain Zoo will present
exciting and impressive shows of birds of prey, as falcons, eagles and owls
soar in the sky of the event, so that such birds can display their exceptional
speed, skills and intelligence.
The Dhabian Equestrian Club will present a horse and pony
riding event for the visitors to enjoy this experience, in an ideal and safe
environment during training sessions that will be organized in the Live
Performances Arena. In cooperation with the Zayed Higher Organization for
People of Determination (ZHOPD), the Club will make presentations by
professionals about the benefits of Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) for people of
determination, whether for physical or mental illnesses. The Club will provide
an opportunity for them to join other students with physical abilities to
encourage their integration and cooperation with them, besides taking action to
promote an independent life for them. The Dhabian Equestrian Club also provides
an opportunity to learn some equestrian principles and get familiar with the
dressage and show-jumping skills. The Gymkhana sports event for people of
determination is an annual event through where ADIHEX invites these creative
children to visit the Exhibition and compete on horseback riding, highlighting
their skills in the art of equestrian and fostering cooperation among them, so
that they would work as a team.
The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Dhabian
Equestrian Club will also present a workshop on horses and communicate with
distinguished Emirati riders who have won championships in various categories,
in order to share the success stories during the last season with ADIHEX
visitors.
As for Boudheib Equestrian Academy, it will present a
traditional equestrian show, archery and tent pegging. These shows aim at
training the Emirati youth on the art of equestrian and practicing many of the
most beautiful kinds and arts of equestrian sports, which are some of the most
prominent connections with the authentic Arab values.
For the first time, the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center
(ADCRC), which is the first center dedicated to teaching camel riding in the
region, will present shows of camel racing, riding and camel-riding archery.
The Center serves as a link between the traditional ways of riding camels and
the best modern ideas to adapt to them. It also includes various aspects of
animal care and education to riding, and the authentic Arab hospitality. The
Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition will present a unique
opportunity to get the audience acquainted with the Center and watch the
trainees and trainers perform a live show on camel racing, camel riding and
horseback archery and shooting.
As for the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, it will present
an extraordinary educational polo show to the Exhibition’s audience from
different cultures. As the Club will introduce them to how to practice the
sport of Kings & Queens, and invite them to enjoy some of the most
beautiful presentations on how to perform it with confidence and excellence,
while understanding its rules that have long been followed hundreds of years
ago by many civilizations.
For its part, the Emirates Heritage Club (EHC) offers ADIHEX
visitors the opportunity to experience camel riding in order to let them enjoy
discovering some of the features of ancient life in the UAE, by getting
acquainted closely with one of the most important creatures that was a pillar
in the lives of Emiratis in the past, namely the camels.
The Emirates Heritage Club also participates in providing fun
shows for popular traditional games, which is “the Dome and Whip (Quba and
Mista)” game, which is played by two teams, each consisting of 4-6 players,
provided that the player is at least 15 years old, his height is 60-70 cm, and
the ball is made of leather or burlap. There is also another game called the
Game of Al Karabi” where two teams play against each other. One team protects
the castle and wants to get water, and the second team protects the water and
wants to seize the castle. The game depends on the strength of the forearm
muscles, and the ability to balance on one leg to defend the castle or the
water.
Also, Amna Al Jasmi, the Emirati female horse rider, is
another prominent participant in the live performances arena; being an
impressive model for the Emirati young woman, especially with her pioneering
role in spreading this sport inherited from the ancestors among the new
generations. This year, and in cooperation with Kaber Stables team, she will
present a show of horseback archery, as well as the art of horseback riding and
fencing (Modern Pentathlon) at ADIHEX. It is a historical fencing sport and one
of the historical martial arts, where most of these martial arts are fought
with ancient weapons, including the curved sword, the straight sword, and other
similar weapons. Today, these blade weapons are remanufactured with great care
from innovative materials tailored to ensure the safety of players.
In addition, Kaber Stables will present a special show on the
traditional art of archery, which requires mastering the skills of balance and
coordination between the mind and body, as one must maintain a good and proper
posture body to shoot the arrow to hit the target. The horse rider Ienobu
Kaneko, the Deputy Master of Takeda School for Horseback Archery, will also
participate in a special event about “Traditional Archery” according
to the Japanese method.
With the aim of achieving effective and meaningful
communication with their favorite animal and learning more about animal care
methods, Cloud9 Pet Hotel and Care will hold a dog grooming contest, which is
directed for professionals only and aims to demonstrate their skills in
grooming and taking care of dogs. There is also the obedience challenge
competition, where the contestants show the judges how their dog responds to
them and follows their commands, according to three levels of challenge.
Finally, on “Desert Survival Skills”, the
well-known expert Mahdi Al-Amin will offer a set of tips and instructions to
anyone who dreams of heading off on a new safari trip and wants to live the
experience of desert, off-road and wildlife adventures, by introducing them to
the basic skills to gain the experience necessary to survive outdoors and the
desert in particular.
The upcoming edition of ADIHEX will be organized by the
Emirates Falconers’ Club between September 26th and October 2nd. Its official
sponsors are the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, International Fund for Houbara
Conservation, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, where the event is
being held. Moreover, the sector sponsor is Caracal International LLC, the
Silver Sponsor is Q Properties, and the visitor experience partner are Fatima
Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, POLARIS-Specialized Sports Equipment, and
Luxury Carts Group. Whereas the features sponsors are Smart Design and the
Royal Tent Company, the official Automotive partner is ARB Emirates, and the
supportive partners are the Abu Dhabi Police, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), and Emirates Heritage Club (EHC).
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For more information or any inquiries, please contact:
Huda Ghassan
T: +971 2 6674230
00971 – 2 – 6934444 / ext. 370
Mob: +971502036882