Kurdistan holds 3rd Arabian horse beauty show, building stronger international ties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The equestrian sport in the Kurdistan Region is growing attracting international competition and breeding opportunities, thanks to what has been described as some of the best facilities in the Middle East at the Erbil International Equestrian Club. Friday was for fillies and mares. Saturday is for colts, stallions and geldings.

“It’s very well built,” said Shery Amir Aslani, a judge from  Tehran, speaking of the facility that began construction in 2011. “Last night, I even asked who built it and they said it was the local people.”

The club, which includes indoor and outdoor rings, stables, and a race track, played host to the 3rd Arabian horse beauty show. The ponies came from primarily the Kurdistan Region with a few being brought in from Europe, Russia, Dubai, Jordan.

Aslani said bringing in horses from outside Kurdistan will only improve the sport in the region.

“It changes the level of the competition because there is more rivalry between the horses and this is the best way to improve the breeding between the horses,” Aslani added. 

Alexander Tonev transported a horse by truck and trailer about 2,500 kilometers from Bulgaria to the Kurdistan Region.

Tonev said navigating checkpoints, border crossings, and various custom laws — including sometimes blood tests for horses — can be a challenge when bringing in foreign competition.

However, Toner claimed he had few problem on this journey because of being organized, experienced and “the assistance of Kurdish officials who run the Erbil International Equestrian Club.”

The horses were judged on five criteria: type (true to the breed), head and neck, body and top line, legs and movement.

“The goal is for the handlers to highlight the horses’ natural muscles while allowing them to run free,” said Walid al-Rasheed, a local judge in-training.

Admission was free with prime ring-side table seats going for $25, with VIPs overlooking from the suites.

Handlers led 20 fillies and mares in front the crowd and a panel of international judges from Poland, Iran, Russia, Dubai, and Jordan on Friday, with the colts and stallions to take the stage on Saturday.

The horses were categorized by age. The winners were: Limas, 1 year; Qamar Ziman, 2 years; Firoza, 3; Shadorya, 4-6; Kawkab, 9 years; and Valdez, 10.

The event’s ringmaster emphasized that the event, which awarded trophies, ribbons, and prizes for the winners, was an opportunity for local horse owners to increase their Arabian horse breeding ties.

“We were fortunate to attract international judges because they take the time to explain things,” said Jessica Albrent, who was in charge of leading activities within the show ring. “The tell me how to do it better, they tell others how to do it better, and each time it’s improving.”

Many children, families, and Peshmerga still dressed in their work duty fatigues were in attendance, and Albrent said it is an opportunity for people to see large animals up close.

The race track will open in fourth months, according to al-Rasheed, will have weekly races.

“These are some of the best if not the best facilities in the Middle East,” al-Rasheed claimed, with its sand-like geotextile fiber surface and immersive spectator experience.

“The weather in Kurdistan is different than the other Middle Eastern countries where it’s too hot.”