Racing legacy: A tale of horses, camels and tradition
Horse and camel shows have been a culture for times immemorial. It has been a home-coming as the people in the wilayat are keen to hold such traditional shows
Published: 05:11 PM,Nov 17,2023 | EDITED : 09:11 PM,Nov 17,2023
Racing legacy: A tale of horses, camels and tradition
Arab culture intertwines with a bygone era through the iconic 'ship of the desert,' camels, and majestic horses, symbolizing power and boasting a legendary role.
The Sultanate of Oman proudly upholds a rich horse riding culture, with citizens engaging in the cherished hobby of horse rearing. With a thriving equestrian community, Oman boasts nearly 2,000 horses, including purebred Arabians, thoroughbreds, and indigenous breeds.
Horseracing is a sport enjoyed by all in the Sultanate and interest in horses in Oman is one of the most cherished pastimes for the citizens, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
For Omanis, horse breeding has been a long-treasured passion and a trait visible among the entire Arab culture. Oman’s culture and tradition of raising, breeding, acquiring, and caring for horses since the prehistoric era and horseracing have been well-known traits and it is a favourite pastime for Omanis. Horse races are held annually, and include the Royal Horse Race, organised by the Royal Stables, and horse racing in the Omani governorates.
These races happen in various wilayats from time to time and it is a cynosure for people from all walks of life, as both citizens or expatriates gather around the grounds giving adrenaline rush to spectators from all over the world. These races turn out to be a scintillating show of beauty and power when scores of camels and horses come together for a traditional racing performance.
'Such horse and camel shows give a feast to the eyes of fans of traditional horse and camel racing as people from different corners pour into the grounds to witness the power of these animals,' Anbar al Maskari, a tour guide, who loves horses and attends the horse riding fests being held in other GCC countries, said.
The show which features horses of different kinds from across the governorates and wilayats, are also a day dedicated to these different breeds of animals to display their prowess.
'According to my information, horse and camel shows have been a culture of Oman for times immemorial, and as far as Ibri, where I live, is concerned, it has been a home-coming as the people in the wilayat are so keen to hold such traditional shows,” Al Maskari adds.
Camels and horses from all over Oman showcase their beauty and might in the performance that usually sees hundreds of locals and foreign racing aficionados who gather to cheer the participating teams to come with flying colours and document the experience in their respective journals abroad.
“At the recent show of Beauty and the Beast show in Ibri, we witnessed the best of them vying with each other showcasing their wilderness as well as the beauty at the show. The show was a treat to the lovers of traditional racing in the country,” adds Anbar al Maskari.
Taking the culture across the seas, Unesco, in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, mentioned Oman's 'Ardhah', meaning 'the day of the festival’ which is practised using horses and camel across many governorates of Oman.
A festival that enhances human bonds, and unites minds, is a festival when people gather around the racecourse to watch shows by horse and camel riders that reflect the skills of Omanis in dealing with and taming the animals.
The Sultanate of Oman proudly upholds a rich horse riding culture, with citizens engaging in the cherished hobby of horse rearing. With a thriving equestrian community, Oman boasts nearly 2,000 horses, including purebred Arabians, thoroughbreds, and indigenous breeds.
Horseracing is a sport enjoyed by all in the Sultanate and interest in horses in Oman is one of the most cherished pastimes for the citizens, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
For Omanis, horse breeding has been a long-treasured passion and a trait visible among the entire Arab culture. Oman’s culture and tradition of raising, breeding, acquiring, and caring for horses since the prehistoric era and horseracing have been well-known traits and it is a favourite pastime for Omanis. Horse races are held annually, and include the Royal Horse Race, organised by the Royal Stables, and horse racing in the Omani governorates.
These races happen in various wilayats from time to time and it is a cynosure for people from all walks of life, as both citizens or expatriates gather around the grounds giving adrenaline rush to spectators from all over the world. These races turn out to be a scintillating show of beauty and power when scores of camels and horses come together for a traditional racing performance.
'Such horse and camel shows give a feast to the eyes of fans of traditional horse and camel racing as people from different corners pour into the grounds to witness the power of these animals,' Anbar al Maskari, a tour guide, who loves horses and attends the horse riding fests being held in other GCC countries, said.
The show which features horses of different kinds from across the governorates and wilayats, are also a day dedicated to these different breeds of animals to display their prowess.
'According to my information, horse and camel shows have been a culture of Oman for times immemorial, and as far as Ibri, where I live, is concerned, it has been a home-coming as the people in the wilayat are so keen to hold such traditional shows,” Al Maskari adds.
Camels and horses from all over Oman showcase their beauty and might in the performance that usually sees hundreds of locals and foreign racing aficionados who gather to cheer the participating teams to come with flying colours and document the experience in their respective journals abroad.
“At the recent show of Beauty and the Beast show in Ibri, we witnessed the best of them vying with each other showcasing their wilderness as well as the beauty at the show. The show was a treat to the lovers of traditional racing in the country,” adds Anbar al Maskari.
Taking the culture across the seas, Unesco, in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, mentioned Oman's 'Ardhah', meaning 'the day of the festival’ which is practised using horses and camel across many governorates of Oman.
A festival that enhances human bonds, and unites minds, is a festival when people gather around the racecourse to watch shows by horse and camel riders that reflect the skills of Omanis in dealing with and taming the animals.