Alkass English
The sixth edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival 2026 will begin on Wednesday under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Organised by the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, the festival will run until February 12.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, who also chairs the festival’s Organising Committee, said the latest edition reflects the event’s continued growth and development. He noted that since its launch, the festival has evolved beyond a seasonal showcase to become an established fixture on the Arabian horse calendar, built on sustained progress and long-term vision.
Al Sulaiti said six years of continuous development have led to rising attendance and growing confidence among breeders, owners and enthusiasts in Qatar and abroad. He added that this reputation has been built through consistent work and organisation.
This year’s festival features 545 horses registered across the Arabian Horse Tour and the Arabian Peninsula Championships. Organisers said each championship highlights distinct artistic and breed characteristics, offering a comprehensive presentation of purebred Arabian horses.
President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, said the achievements of the sixth edition reflect clear planning and ongoing efforts to strengthen the festival’s status and the global presence of Arabian horses.
Al Darwish noted that the Arabian Horses Tour Doha returns for a second consecutive year as a key highlight of the programme, with more than 200 horses competing for qualification toward the World Arabian Horse Championship (Supreme) titles at the end of the season. He said the Doha leg holds particular importance within the tour due to the city’s historical association with Arabian horses and equestrian heritage.
He added that the season began in Abu Dhabi, with Doha representing a major stop in a campaign that celebrates Arabian horses in cities closely linked to the breed’s legacy.
The festival programme also includes the Arabian Peninsula Purebred Championship, featuring participation from 180 horses.
The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival remains one of the flagship events organised by the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, aligning with its cultural mission to preserve Arab heritage and promote the Arabian horse as an enduring symbol of tradition.