Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club (EFC), Abu Dhabi will host the new edition of the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition - ADIHEX (Abu Dhabi 2009), from 30th September until 3rd October 2009.

“The United Kingdom equine musical display team of Queen Elizabeth II’s Household Cavalry have accepted an invitation from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) to perform for the first time in the Middle East during AIDHEX 2009.  The 28 horses and 36 soldiers that make up the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s team of horse riders called ‘The Musical Ride’ will exhibit their traditional equine skills in iconic British ceremonial uniform set to music.  The special performances will take place between 30th September, 1st, 2nd & 3rd October 2009 in Abu Dhabi at ADIHEX” said Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of ADIHEX in a press conference held Monday in Dubai Press Club.

“The Musical Ride’s participation underlines the very strong ties between Britain and Abu Dhabi and a shared knowledge and passion for all things equestrian. Part of the purpose of ADIHEX is to act as bridge between the many equine cultures and traditions around the world. The Musical Ride’s performances in Abu Dhabi represent a significant milestone in the evolution of ADIHEX as a truly international event.” added Al Qubaisi.

Al Qubaisi highlighted the participation of ADACH and the Emirates Falconers Club in the Second International Falconry Festival which was held July 11-12 in Reading.

“The participation of the Emirates Falconers’ Club and the Authority in the second International Falconry Festival held in Reading on the 11-12 of July with the participation of 52 states, the Heritage Village of Abu Dhabi at the festival was visited by more than 15 thousand people a day, and attracted the attention of Great Britain’s media.” Al Qubaisi emphasised.

He mentioned that “the United Arab Emirates has recently hosted a workshop, organised by ADACH, on the preparation of the international file for registering Falconry at the UNESCO. The workshop was held in Abu Dhabi for two days during which a final version of the file was drafted after an extensive study and review of the files provided by the participating delegations in the run-up to its submission to the European Union in preparation to submit a comprehensive and participative file to the UNESCO for the registration of Falconry History in the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

“A security committee was formed to provide the requirements of the organisation of the exhibition and preservation of the safety of visitors and participants, overseeing the process of buying and selling arms, and follow-up of companies supplying arms, in addition to raising the awareness aspect for buyers of weapons purchased in the exhibition” added Al Qubaisi.

“The area allocated to the bookings in ADIHEX has increased to 21,530 square meters compared to the 16,281 square meters in 2008, or an increase of 25%, owing to the strong demand from exhibitors to take part in this year’s exhibition,” he said.

Al Qubaisi highlighted the role played by ADIHEX in the field of sustainable hunting, which aims to achieve a balance between the preservation of heritage and the protection of the environment, and the achievements in promoting the use of hybrid birds in captivity for falconry sport instead of the endangered wild falcons and emphasizing the UAE efforts in the preservation of the natural environment, and intensifying hubara and falcon breeding programs.

“The Exhibition has also achieved a wide popular and universal standing. It has promoted the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a unique and attractive point for visitors and exhibitors as the number of participations in the last edition (2008) reached 526 from 37 countries. The exhibition also witnessed a staggering influx of visitors which exceeded all expectations as the number of visitors surpassed the 95,000 mark during the four-day exhibition. Contracts worth millions of UAE Dirhams were signed and the exhibition’s total revenues and sales were more than 85 million Dirhams,” said Al Qubaisi.

ADIHEX will continue its marketing and promotional plan, and the Organising Committee will hold press conferences in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the dates of 16 and 17 and August 18 respectively, with the aim of attracting more participants and visitors to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Al Qubaisi thanked the Breeding Stables of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Normandy-France, Sorouh, Abu Dhabi Sports Council for sponsoring the event and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage for their support and for their ceaseless efforts in order to contribute to the continuing success of the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Abu Dhabi 2009) and invited the public to visit the exhibition and enjoy its various activities.

“An additional highlight is the beauty contest for Purebred Arab horses (Horse Show) and some of the best horses, will be out to capture the hearts of one and all ” said Lara Sawaya, Member of Organising Committee, and Head of the Equestrian Division.

“Top local and international racecourses and stables will participate in ADIHEX, led by the Breeding Stables of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan based in Normandy, France and counting Britain’s world famous race courses Newmarket and Ascot, Arab French Horse Association (AFAC), German Arabian Association (DRAV), Dutch Arabian Association, French Hunting Association, Russian Equiros Exhibition, Baden Baden Racecourse and Frankfurt Racecourse from Germany, International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Asian Equestrian Federation, Emirates Equestrian Federation, Dubai Equestrian Club, Al Aryam Stud, Al; Wathba Stables, Al Reef Stables, Al W’rsan Stables, Boutheib Stables, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Ghantoot Equestrian Club.” stated Sawaya.

“For the aim of providing an opportunity for European audiences to know more about purebred Arabian horses, the Festival of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, was held as part of the “Zayed the First” series of races of purebred Arabian horses in Europe. The Festival, which was concluded recently, recorded an unprecedented success in the Netherlands and France. The Festival was organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage in cooperation and coordination with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by the Breeding Stables of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan - Normandy/France, Sorouh Real Estate, A L Art Logistics, with the support of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX).” added Sawaya

ADIHEX is organized by the Emirates Falconers Club, supported by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and sponsored by the Breeding Stables of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Normandy-France, Sorouh Real Estates and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.