DIHF: More than just horses

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, the 9th Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF) was held over a three-day period this month.
This year’s edition of DIHF saw the participation of more than 70 exhibitors from all over the globe, from the region’s United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman, and all the way to far and away Australia and even Colombia.
Some might wonder what could a Latin American country be possibly offering in a horse fair, especially that horses never existed in the Americas prior to Christopher Columbus making his dash across the Atlantis and discovered the New World back in 1492. To my, and most visitors’ surprise, Columbian Alpha Omega was here to present a new horse crossbreed. Paso Fino, or fine step as the name translates, is a crossbreed between Spanish and Andalusian stallions. The Columbian horse breed is characterized by a muscular and arched neck, a slender and straight legs and small hooves.
As one might anticipate, horses were the main focus of the fair. The participating exhibitors offered about everything related to horses and horsemen from horse riding boots, equine health care and diet supplements, and all the way to state-of-the-art therapy blankets, luxuriously embroidered saddles, and a horse-shaped motorbike. There was even a 3-meter tall sculpture of a rearing Arabian stallion plated with about one kilogram of 24-carat gold! It is priced at slightly less than half a million riyals.
By all means horse and horsemanship are evolving into a culture were basic as well as luxurious items are involved, but what about art?
Saudi Nasser Bin Ibrahim Al-Dibeahy made a comeback this year with horse inspired paintings to showcase. Still with paintings, French Remy Bertoche made a public display as he went on paining horses in public. The interaction art was much applauded by the crowd. Horses make up for a very intriguing subject whether it comes to painting or photography. Nine-year-old Mustafa Husam Ikermawi was dubbed the youngest Arabian horse photographer. The young Jordanian developed a passion for photographing horses, a passion that he had been pursuing for the past five years. For his talent at such a young age, Mustafa was honored by meeting Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.
Dubai International Horse Fair was not just all about horses and horsemanship; it was also a great opportunity to taste the Arabic culture. A dedicated sector was made into a majlis (traditional Arabian ground level seating area) where visitors could have a break while sipping on flavour-rich Arabic coffee and enjoying some mouth-watering Arabic sweets. There was also a small section dedicated to traditional handicrafts and cultural heritage.
From a new crossbreed of horses to fresh painted horse paintings, and from the latest technology in equine medical care to sampling the local Arabic cultre. Whether you are into horsemanship for the love of the sport, the art, or even if you are just a curious tourist, the Dubai International Horse Fair warrants a visit, don’t miss out on it when you are next in town.