Italy named as host for 7th edition in 2016

Spectacular end to WAHRC event in Warsaw

The Wilonow Palace, a 17th century castle which survived the two World Wars and stands as a reminder of Poland before the 18th century was the back drop for a spectacular show that highlighted both the castle as well as the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival as the curtain came down on the three-day 6thWorld Arabian Horse Racing Conference.

On Saturday night, May 30, one of the largest assembly of serving UAE Ambassadors were in attendance as the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference flag was passed on by the HE Asim Mirza Al Rahma, UAE Ambassador to Poland the current host to HE Saqr Nasser Ahmed Al Raisi, UAE, the UAE Ambassador to Italy after Rome was nominated to be the host for the 7th edition of the conference in 2016.

Apart from the UAE envoys to Poland and Italy, the following were also present: HE Abdul Rahman Ghanim Al Mutaiwee-UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom; HE Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi- UAE Ambassador to Germany; HE Sheikha Najla Al Qassimi-UAE Ambassador to Portugal; HE Saqr Nasser Ahmed Al Raisi, UAE, Ambassador to Italy; HE Madhed Hareb Mughir Al Khaiili, UAE Ambassador to France; HE Saeed Mohammed Ali Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Ireland; HE Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri- UAE Ambassador to Morocco; HE Mohammed Al Suweidi- UAE Ambassador to Oman; HE Saeed Mohammed Ali Al Shamsi., UAE Ambassador to Sweden; HE Sulaiman Hamed Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Belgium; HE Abdulla Hamdan Al Naqbi, UAE Ambassador to The Netherlands; HE Dr. Hessa Abdullah Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to Spain; HE Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations in Geneva and HE Mohammed Al Mahmoud, Former UAE Ambassador to Germany.

HE Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Mohsin Al Dossary from the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare were among the other guests who attended the gala dinner function.

Festival accorded ISO 9001:2008 Certification

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival added another feather to its cap when the Bureau Veritas certified the Festival’s management system by according it an ISO 9001:2008 Certification.

The Certificate was received by HE Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, HE Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Mattar Ali Al Yabhouni Al Dhahiri, representative of equestrian sports at the ADSC, Musallam Al Amri, General Manager of Wathba Stud Farm and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).  

“Our management system was audited and it was found to be in accordance with the requirements of the management standards detailed in the ISO 9001:2008 level. This is a very proud moment to share this accolade in front of this international audience,” said Ms Sawaya.

A specially-produced sound and light show, depicting the history of Poland and the Wilonow Palace and integrated with theHH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, which is also caring and protecting the Purebred Arabian horse- a symbol of the UAE’s culture and heritage had the over 400-plus guests awe-struck.

Later, the UAE envoys, UAE breeders and owners; all panel members of the WAHRC, media persons and all others associated with the event were honored and the Festival’s 2014 Year Book was distributed.

Satya Narayan, Festival’s 2014 Year Book writer

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing  Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC),  Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Bloom, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Petromal, Hayatna, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels, Racing Post.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Cidinha Franzão / Nilza Felice