4th of Dhul Quida, 1429H / 2nd of November 2008, Saudi News Agency, Riyadh
Preparations are underway in Riyadh to organize the second edition of the Al Khalediah Horse Festival - “Al Khalediah 2”, which will be launched at the end of Moharram of next year, corresponding to the close of January 2009 at Al Khalediah Farm.
The Higher Organizing Committee of the Festival has approved the program of “Al Khalediah 2” activities, which will be spread over six day, commencing on the 25th January 2008 and closing on the 30th January 2008. A total of 354 purebred horses from 19 Arab, European, US and Latin American countries participated in the inaugural Festival and more entries are expecting for the 2009 event.
“Al Khalediah 2” is being run as a continuation of the successful outcome of the inaugural Al Khalediah Arabian Horse Festival. This reflects the level commitment of HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, with organizing such events which aim at reviving the reputation of Arabian horses to their native country, at the core of the Arabian Peninsula, and to highlight preservation of the rare breeds of the genuine Arabian horse.
Organizers of “Al Khalediah 2” have embarked on preparation workshops for the event which, for the coming Festival, will include an additional discipline – an ‘open’ Endurance Race. This race will attract more participants and enhance the Festival’s appeal to the Arabian horse admirers.
The Festival will also feature an international auction of purebred Arabian horses raised at Al Khalediah Farm, a day of Arabian horse racing, and a three day international Arabian horse beauty show.