Two hundred and fifty three Arabian horses gather for the National Championship’s opening

The Emirates Arabian Horse Society's autumn championship draws together the finest breeding stock from across the UAE, with international judges assessing the sector's continued evolution

The Grand Hall of Boudheib Academy has become a gathering place for the keepers of Arabian horse heritage. Two hundred and fifty three horses belonging to one hundred and seventy nine owners from studs across the UAE have begun competing in the Emirates Arabian Horse Society’s National Arabian Horse Championship, an event that sits at the heart of the Society’s 2026 to 2027 season programme.

The opening qualifying classes unfolded with the intensity that comes when serious breeders and owners bring their animals before an international panel of judges. The first day focused on female horses, with fillies of various ages and mares aged four years and above competing to secure their place in the final championships, where gold, silver and bronze titles await across six categories. Tomorrow’s programme will turn to the male entries: colts of various ages and stallions aged four years and above.

At the heart of the championship sits the Rabdan judging system, an advanced digital platform developed to bring enhanced integrity and transparency to the evaluation of these animals. The system allows judges to focus entirely on assessment while enabling owners and spectators to follow results as they emerge, a shift that international judge Claudia Darius described as transformative. She praised the technology’s potential to reshape how Arabian horse championships operate, expressing hope that similar systems might one day be adopted at European and international events.

The championship represents something deeper than competition, however. As we reported when the Society strengthened its equestrian partnership with Russia at a Moscow championship, these gatherings serve to preserve and celebrate the authenticity of Arabian horses and the bloodlines that define them. Darius noted that local championships provide crucial opportunities to monitor improvements in breeding programmes from one season to the next, while emphasising that judges’ responsibilities extend beyond evaluation to include offering technical feedback that helps breeders refine their work.

International judge Yousef Al Kuwari spoke to the significance of holding the championship at the season’s outset, describing it as a timely moment for owners and breeders to assess their horses’ readiness before the year progresses. The strong turnout reflects the continued growth of the Arabian horse sector, he said, affirming that the UAE holds a leading international position in breeding. Al Kuwari noted that the judging panel looks forward to assessing new breeding stock that reflects the sector’s ongoing development, citing his recent participation in the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup, which demonstrated growing international interest in the breed.

Mohammed Al Ali, owner of Banat Al Reeh Arabian Horse Stud, observed that the championship had begun positively, with closely matched competition throughout the day. He predicted that the intensity would build as participation increases and the season advances. Al Ali commended the Rabdan system’s comprehensive database of results across different championships, noting that it has become an important resource enabling owners and breeders to monitor performance and apply technical indicators to improve their breeding programmes.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The National Championship affirms Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre of Arabian horse excellence and heritage preservation. The event brings together the UAE’s finest breeding programmes and attracts international expertise, demonstrating the emirate’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in a sector that remains integral to the region’s identity. The gathering of nearly two hundred and eighty owners and judges speaks to the vitality of the Arabian horse community and its continued growth.

The Rabdan judging system represents a distinctly Emirati innovation in equestrian sport, one that is now beginning to influence international thinking about how championships should be managed. For breeders and owners in Abu Dhabi, the championship offers a moment to assess their animals, receive technical guidance, and plan for the season ahead. It signals the Society’s commitment to regular communication with its community and to developing championships that reflect the needs and ambitions of those who work to preserve this national heritage.

Source: WAM