Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman attaches a great importance to equestrian sports and it lends constant support to participants in horse races organised by the Royal Horse Racing Club and Oman Equestrian Federation, in addition to jockeys from the Royal Cavalry who participate in various international competitions.
Royal Horse Racing Festivals constitute a cultural asset for the Sultanate of Oman. They were first organised at Madinat Al Adiyat racing track and they were initially limited to horse racing. Then, the races developed to cover various aspects of equestrian sports and skills performed between the rounds.
These festivals have contributed to the development of horse racing competitions in which the winners receive prestigious trophies, including His Majesty the Sultan's Cup.
The festivals also helped augment the standards of horse riders, both males and females.
The festivals encouraged Omani citizens, horse owners, coaches and jockeys to compete and contest the races, prompting horse owners to select the pure Arabian horses to participate and compete in the races and raising interest in horse breeding in the Sultanate of Oman.
Royal Horse Racing Festivals are presented through the use of advanced technology, thereby combining past originality and reflecting modern day realities, inspired by the enlightened vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who has accorded great attention to horses and those interested in the field of equestrian sports, encouraging the sports to prosper and access global standards.
Sayyid Munthir Saif al Busaidi, Chairman of Oman Equestrian Federation, affirmed that His Majesty the Sultan’s gracing the Royal Race tomorrow (Tuesday) would inspire all members of the equestrian sport in the Sultanate of Oman. Horse racing, he said, enjoys a special support from His Majesty, who is keen on the conservation of this ancient Arab sport that constitutes a source of income for a large segment of society in Oman, including youth, and encourages all to opt for local and international competitions.
He told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Federation is embarked on constant action to advance horse racing in the Sultanate of Oman in cooperation with various parties, most notably the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. He added that the Federation gives priority to public interest, notably the interests of the parties engaged in equestrian sports.
He affirmed that horse racing achieved advanced levels in terms of timing of rounds and rating of horses, which motivated the competitors to participate in races abroad in which they continued to secure advanced places.
Sayyid Munthir stressed that Oman Equestrian Federation is constantly reviewing the opinions and suggestions of horse owners, coaches and jockeys through the meetings that precede the start of each season to determine the requirements of the success of the events, facilitate public participation and develop everything that would contribute to the advancement of horse racing and the inculcation of the culture of racing among all participants.
He said that the tracks of the Sultanate of Oman boast global standards, including Al Rahba race track that is maintained by specialized companies. He added that horse races in the Sultanate of Oman always receive continuous commendation. He pointed out that the crew who organize the races are almost 100% Omanis and that this constitutes an added value to the country.
Sayyid Munthir commended the advanced places achieved by the Royal Cavalry at the global level, thus offering Oman a special status among other countries of the world. He explained that Oman achieved a high global status through its participation in competitions for high-rated pure Arabian horses and endurance races.
He also highlighted the advanced results and positions achieved by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Royal Cavalry, at the global level in horse races in various countries of the world, in which the high-rated horses participate, in addition to the Arabian horse beauty contests, as well as endurance and performance contests.
Omani jockeys now boast an advanced level of professionalism, which was manifested through their participation in competitions in Oman and abroad. Recently, they came into the limelight during the GCC horse racing season.
Tomorrow's Royal Race will see a thrilling competition from pure Arabian horses that once won first place or advanced positions at the start of the current season. The horses achieved ideal timings during the races organized by Oman Equestrian Federation and the Royal Horse Racing Club.
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