Mansour bin Zayed inaugurated "Abu Dhabi Prince Equestrian Arts" On Jubail Island
ABU DHABI, 30th October, 2017 (WAM) – His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the Presidential Court, officially opened today the “Abu Dhabi Princely Equestrian Arts” on Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi, which deals with classical equestrian arts and is the first of its kind outside Europe, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan toured the facilities of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Prince Arts, which included the Equestrian Exhibition, which contains one of the largest private collections in the world, containing more than 173 rare archaeological and artistic pieces extending back more than 2,000 years, documenting the process of equestrianism and the diversity of its schools across the civilizations of the East and West, and highlighting the symbolism of man’s relationship with horses.
His Highness also visited “Dar Al Harf”, which is the first saddlery manufacturing workshop in the UAE, and watched a presentation of the stages of saddlery design, manufacture and maintenance, and listened to an explanation about how to combine traditional craft skills with modern technologies to develop this delicate industry in a way that consolidates the country’s position in this field.
The tour included the Equestrian Library, which is the first of its kind in the region and one of the largest equestrian libraries in the world, containing more than 14,000 rare books and manuscripts. His Highness listened to an explanation from those in charge of the library about their efforts aimed at building a specialized knowledge base in the equestrian arts through academic research and partnerships with international institutions and libraries, to be a reference for scholars and researchers in this field.
His Highness also viewed the sections of the “Equipment Room” and the various equestrian tools on display, in addition to a special artwork embodying the 40 horses of the “Abu Dhabi Prince Equestrian Arts,” which symbolize the project’s identity and spirit inspired by the authenticity of Emirati equestrianism.
The opening was attended by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Drug Control Agency, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Head of the Municipality and Planning Department in the Emirate of Ajman, and a number of sheikhs and ministers. And senior officials, as well as those involved in the equestrian field.
The Abu Dhabi Prince Equestrian Arts is the fifth in the world to specialize in classic equestrian arts, and the first of its kind outside the European continent, making it a new station in the journey of this ancient art that extends for centuries in limited European schools. It is considered a qualitative project that transfers this cultural heritage to the Arab world from Abu Dhabi, through a model that combines academic training, fine artistic performances, and preserving the authentic values of Arab equestrianism.
The opening of the “Abu Dhabi Princely Equestrian Arts” represents an important step in consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a capital of culture and creativity and a global destination that celebrates fine arts, through which the UAE continues its pioneering role in preserving and promoting human heritage.
The opening ceremony included a distinguished show that brought together for the first time the five major classical equestrian schools, with the participation of teams from Austria, Spain, Portugal, France, and the United Arab Emirates.
The show presented an artistic painting that embodies the unity of the equestrian heritage extending between the East and the West and its arts, and celebrates the return of classic equestrianism to its Arab roots from Abu Dhabi.
On this occasion, Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Empowerment and Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Princely Equestrian Arts, said: “The project embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the interest of the state leadership in preserving the cultural and humanitarian heritage of the UAE, noting that equestrianism is part of our national identity and its aesthetics, and through this edifice, Abu Dhabi continues to revive the concept of equestrianism as a fine cultural art that brings together… Between heritage and creativity, education and knowledge.”
“Abu Dhabi Equestrian Prince Arts” is located on Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi, among mangrove trees in an exceptional natural environment extending over an area of 65,000 square metres, and includes a group of integrated cultural and educational facilities that embody the essence of classic equestrianism, including an equestrian exhibition, an equestrian library, and “Dar Al Harf”.
The Abu Dhabi Prince Equestrian Arts offers advanced training programs in classical equestrian arts, intended for professional riders or those advanced in their skills, through an academic curriculum that focuses on precision, harmony, and artistic discipline, in accordance with international standards.
It also includes an academy for juniors that aims to introduce children to the basics of equestrianism and develop their connection to the noble values of this art from a young age, within a safe and interactive educational environment.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
