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MAJESTIC Arabian horses will be showing their form at the 5th Bahrain National Arabian Horse Show next month vying for the coveted accolade of being the most beautiful in the kingdom.
The show, which originally began in 2006, was created in memory of equestrian enthusiast Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa following his death in a tragic car accident five years ago.
The competition is being organised under the umbrella of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF). It will be held on April 2 and 3 at the Ministry of Interior grounds in Budaiya and for the first time the competition will be affiliated to the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO), the world governing body.
Event co-ordinator Jehangir Rustomjee, 44, said: "These horses are famous for their hardiness and beauty. They are an extremely versatile breed as they can be used for racing and now also for endurance riding - that is the 'happening' equestrian sport in the Middle East.
"For this show we are expecting an entry of more than 150 horses. We always had a good and enthusiastic turnout of horse lovers and curious spectators and this is our first step to being recognised as an international show."
Professional horse trainer, Mr Rustomjee, who lives in East Riffa, looks after 120 young Arabian horses which are part of the Royal Family's desert stable in Jazayer. He is also responsible for the registration of the breed and keeping a check on imports. There are currently 1,500 of the 'beautiful breed' in the kingdom.
He started work in the equine world as a teenager and moved to Bahrain from India on the invitation of the late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to train his horses.
Mr Rustomjee believes the Bahrain thoroughbreds are amongst the most coveted in the world and date back to nomadic times in the Gulf region when the horses had to be won in battle and occasionally offered as gifts to visiting dignitaries and close family and friends.
The show is open to all registered Arabian horses in the kingdom featuring eight different classes:
1. Yearling Fillies (foaled between 1/10/2008 & 30/09/2009)
2. Yearling Colts (foaled between 1/10/2008 & 30/09/2009)
3. Two Year Old Fillies (foaled between 1/10/2007 & 30/9/2008)
4. Two Year Old Colts (foaled between 1/10/2007 & 30/9/2008)
5. Three Year Old Fillies (foaled between 1/10/2006 & 30/9/2007)
6. Three Year Old Colts (foaled between 1/10/2006 & 30/9/2007)
7. Mares - 4 years old and up (foaled before 1/10/2006)
8. Stallions - 4 years old and up (foaled before 1/10/2006)
The junior gold, silver and bronze champions (male and female) will be judged from the winners and runners up in classes 1 to 4. The senior gold, silver and bronze champions (male and female) will be judged from the winners and runners up in classes 5 and 8.
A class will be divided if there are 16 or more entries. The younger entries will be placed in the first division and the older ones in the second division.
The horses will be judged by the "5 aspect 20 Point System". As there are three judges per class scores will be from a maximum of 300.
Mr Rustomjee, a seasoned judge in his own right, explained: "Arabian horses are judged on the type, head and neck, body and top line, legs and the movement as the Arabian horse glides. Four international judges are flying out for the competition and each arbitrator will look for something different."
A maximum of 20 points will be awarded by each judge on each aspect. The final score will be the average score from all the judges and will be from a maximum of 100 points.
