AL ASHKHARAH: A traditional horse show (Al Aardha) was held in the Niyabat of Al Ashkharah in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Al Sharqiyah South Governorate, as part of Al Ashkharah Festival. The event saw wide participation from horse owners from across the Sultanate of Oman, as well as visitors and tourists from outside Oman.
Al Aardha traditional horse show was held as part of the festival organisers’ commitment to showcasing Omani heritage in a vibrant form, providing a platform for horsemen and folk groups to demonstrate their skills and traditions to the public. The event aimed at introducing and preserving this heritage show while also enriching visitors’ experience, stimulating the local economy and supporting tourism.
The event was organised by the Al Ashkharah Festival’s committee in cooperation with the Al Asayel Equestrian Club in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali. Over 100 horses and riders from the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and several other wilayats in the Al Sharqiyah South Governorate, in addition to riders from the Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, took part in the shows.
The event showcased equestrian skills, including horsemanship, horse handling, traditional horse racing, horse taming, tent pegging, and other equestrian skills. Children and junior riders also participated in the equestrian displays, giving the younger generation an opportunity to attend and participate in this heritage and contributing to the continuity and transmission of equestrian skills across generations.
The event also featured a number of accompanying folk and traditional arts, including Al Razha, Al Bar’a, Al Azi, and maritime arts, which together form a tableau combining horsemanship with artistic heritage. — ONA
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