Q Life Magazine Q Magazine December 2016 | Page 53
Qatari Lifestyle: Merging Tradition with Modernity |
Preserving
Qatar’s
Equestrian
Tradition
A
n inspired vision and a passion to preserve and
perpetuate the Arabian horse, led His Highness
the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to
establish Al Shaqab in 1992. In honour of his ancestor,
Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, he built this
breeding farm and equestrian centre at the landmark
battle site, where more than a century prior, the battle
that led to Qatar’s independence was fought and won.
Within an amazingly short period of time, Al Shaqab
bred three world champion stallions: Gazal Al Shaqab,
Al Adeed Al Shaqab, and Marwan Al Shaqab. Today,
champion offspring of these stallions enhance the
pedigrees of Arabian horses throughout Qatar and
around the globe.
With these successes, Al Shaqab stands as a tribute to the
Arabian horse and Qatar’s long tradition of equestrian
excellence. The range of equine disciplines and
programmes that Al Shaqab promotes ensures that the
cultural legacy and appreciation of the Arabian breed
will endure for generations.
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