Fancy delving into the Emirates’ sporting heritage? Getting up close and personal with a falcon, perhaps, doing some stern bargaining for a trusty camel or learning a bit more about the noble art of Arabian horsemanship? While sometimes the traditional sporting pursuits of the UAE can seem quite remote from busy Abu Dhabi urban life, the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition provides visitors with the chance to learn about all these activities, discover the history behind them and even try one or two out for themselves.
The prestigious show is now in its ninth year, and will be held at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre next weekend. It’s an extravaganza of local heritage, with an emphasis on the traditional Emirati sporting pursuits such as falconry, horse-riding, hunting and more. Last year’s exhibition attracted more than 100,000 visitors, and organisers are expecting an even greater number to attend the show this time around.
One of the most high profile aspects of the exhibition is of course the falconry, and this year’s ADIHEX includes for the first time ever, a falcon contest, which is being hosted by the Emirates Falconers Club. The biggest and most beautiful hybrid gyr hurr, gyr shahin and male gyr falcons will be chosen according to strict criteria set by falconry experts. While the contest will be of great interest to families with kids who will get a chance to see the magnificent birds up close, the organisers also have a more serious aim for the competition. By showcasing these particular falcons, which are all of a hybrid breed, they hope to encourage owners of falcon farms across the UAE to use hybrids instead of wild falcons, as the birds that currently live out in the wild, in their natural habitat, need protection.
Falcons are of course a particularly prized symbol of Emirati culture, and to reflect this ADIHEX is also hosting a poetry competition, which is dedicated to celebrating their importance. Entrants are asked to submit Nabati poems on the topic of falconry, the loss of a bird, or poems about hunting, which are known locally as ‘mignas’. The winner in every category gets a cash prize of Dhs20,000, while the runner-up gets Dhs15,000 and third place finalist receiving Dhs10,000. A painting and photography contest will also be held, in which artists will be asked to produce works about falcons, horses, local wildlife and the environment.
The hunting displays are also expected to be very popular at this year’s ADIHEX, and the emphasis for many exhibitors will be how technology can help keen hunters develop the sport. Innovative products on sale will include the FalconPilot, a falcon tracking device that allows falcon owners to locate and control several of their hunting falcons, as well as lighter weaponry and specialised clothing.
And if all the sportsmanship is wearing you out, take some time for an Arabian coffee. There will be a contest for budding Arabian baristas, where entrants will be assessed in the stages of preparing the coffee: frying, grinding, roasting, and brewing the coffee, the way it is presented to guests, and its taste. This will be judged by a committee from ADACH’s Intangible Heritage Department.
The show promises to be an engaging and modern showcase of the UAE’s proud sporting heritage with plenty on offer for families, sportsmen and women and anyone interested in learning more about the heritage of the UAE.
September 14-17, ADNEC, www.adihex.net (02 401 2785).
