The 23rd Ajman Arabian Horse Beauty Championship opened on Friday evening in Al Jurf 2, Ajman, drawing owners, breeders and enthusiasts from across the United Arab Emirates. Under the patronage of Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi and with the personal attendance of Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, the event celebrates the Arabian horse’s legacy and the UAE’s growing standing in equestrian sport.
Organised under the supervision of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society and supported by the Ajman executive council, the championship features 302 purebred Arabian horses representing leading owners and prominent stables. Competitions will run through to Sunday, offering a high-profile platform for breeders to present bloodlines that have been preserved and developed over generations.
Ajman Arabian Horse Championship
Speaking at the opening, Sheikh Ammar said the championship presents an annual opportunity to honour the authenticity of the Arabian horse and the equestrian traditions embedded in Emirati heritage. He praised the event for reflecting a cultural legacy that links beauty with national pride and for reinforcing the connection between the people, their land and their history.
Sheikh Ammar also expressed gratitude to the UAE’s leadership, naming President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their patronage and support of equestrian sport. He noted that such backing has helped position the UAE as a global hub for Arabian horse breeding and related activities.
The championship is more than a competition. A heritage market running alongside the classes provides a family-oriented cultural experience with displays of traditional crafts and handicrafts, live artistic and folkloric performances, cafés and hospitality corners. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and enjoy performances by a military band, while a scheduled fireworks display will conclude the festivities.
Event organisers say the market has become one of the main attractions for visitors, offering an accessible window into Emirati culture for families and international guests. The mix of sport, tradition and public celebration underlines state efforts to promote cultural tourism and safeguard intangible heritage.
For breeders and owners, the championship presents a key calendar moment to benchmark their horses against national standards and to network within a community committed to preserving breed quality. For the public, it provides a rare chance to experience the ceremonial side of horsemanship and the craftsmanship that surrounds traditional equestrian life.
As the UAE continues to invest in cultural and sporting events that attract regional and international attention, the Ajman championship remains a showcase for the country’s commitment to heritage-led development and to maintaining the Arabian horse’s central place in national identity.
Key Takeaways:
- The 23rd Ajman Arabian Horse Championship opened in Al Jurf 2 with 302 purebred Arabian horses from across the UAE.
- Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi reaffirmed government support for equestrian sport and national heritage.
- The event features a heritage market, cultural performances, military band displays and a fireworks finale.
- Ajman Arabian Horse Championship highlights the UAE’s role as a global hub for Arabian horse breeding and culture.
