The Al-Khalidiyah Farm in the Tabrak area, north of the Saudi capital Riyadh, is witnessing the launch of the Purebred Arabian Horse Beauty Championship as part of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Arabian Horse Festival in its 2026 edition. This prominent global event extends from January 28 to 31, to reaffirm the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a major incubator of the purebred Arabian horse heritage.
This festival is considered the most prominent event globally on the Arabian horse beauty pageant calendar, bringing together in its current edition a select group of stables, owners, and breeders from 25 countries around the world. The festival enjoys generous and ongoing support from the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, which strengthens the continuity of this cultural and civilizational heritage.
A rich heritage and global standards
The festival boasts a rich heritage and an enduring name historically linked to the support of purebred Arabian horses and the preservation of their pure lineage. Saudi Arabia, the ancestral home of these horses, lends the festival a profound historical and cultural dimension. The event serves as an international platform celebrating beauty, authenticity, and distinguished pedigrees, adhering to the highest internationally recognized technical and organizational standards, making it a premier destination for those interested in this cherished human heritage.
The festival grounds are expected to witness high-level competitions in horse beauty shows, with the participation of approximately 390 horses from among the elite, many of which have won international titles. These competitions will be overseen by prestigious international judging panels affiliated with the European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations (ECAHO), ensuring the integrity of the results and reflecting the global prestige of the event, thus reaffirming the Kingdom's leading role in organizing major specialized festivals.
Comprehensive preparations and high-level supervision
In preparation for the event, the festival's general manager, Mr. Salah Al-Ali, confirmed that all arrangements at Al-Khalidiyah Farm are complete and ready to receive the participating horses from various countries, with a utmost care taken to ensure their comfort and safety. The site has also been prepared to welcome visitors and provide them with every comfort to enjoy the beauty pageants in a unique equestrian atmosphere.
These efforts come under the direct guidance of the patron of Arabian horses, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Festival, and under the supervision and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, General Supervisor of the Festival, to ensure that the event comes out in a manner befitting the name of the Kingdom.
The importance of the event and the organizational framework
It is worth noting that the beauty pageants are held under the auspices of the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center , the official body responsible for registering and documenting horses in the Kingdom. The events will continue for four consecutive days until January 31, with the shows starting daily at 3:00 PM.
The festival holds significant economic and touristic importance in addition to its cultural value. It is expected to attract a large audience of experts and enthusiasts, and will receive extensive media coverage and television broadcasts across most of the Arab world. Each edition of the festival aims to reinforce the message that the Arabian horse will remain an enduring symbol of beauty and pride, and a bridge for cultural exchange between peoples.
