Al Shaqab
Encyclopedia
Al Shaqab is Qatar Foundation
’s (QF) visionary equestrian
center in the State of Qatar
, where world-class facilities combine with the rich traditions of Arabian horse
s. Founded in 1992 by His Highness Sheikh
Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, Al Shaqab joined QF in 2004. Al Shaqab is now the region’s leading equine education resource center and features the highest standards in the breeding
of Arabian horse
s.
Their mission is to become global leaders in preserving, improving and promoting the Arabian horse breed and maintaining accessibility to the community while setting the highest standard in breeding, show, equestrian arts and equine welfare.
and petroleum
gave prominence to Qatar as one of the world's fastest growing economies, the country was known for its prized Arabians horses.
When the Al Thani ancestors, the ruling family of the State of Qatar, migrated out of the inhospitable Arabian Desert three centuries ago to settle in Qatar, the Arabian horse was a vital part of daily life.The Arabian horse played an important role in the founding of Qatar.
Al Shaqab takes its name from a historic battle against the Ottomans
. Taking place in the town of Al Rayyan
in 1893, the battle of Al Shaqab, or Al Wajba as it is also known, saw the Qataris, led by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeat the Ottomans. This historic event led to Qatar’s independence
.
Vision, foresight and a passion to preserve and perpetuate the Arabian horse in Qatar led His Highness The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to establish Al Shaqab in 1992. In honor of his ancestor, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, he located the Arabian breeding farm at the landmark Al Shaqab battle site where more than a century ago the Bedouins had fought a pivotal battle that led to Qatar's independence.
Based on three guiding principles - Excellence, Education and Heritage - Al Shaqab began a visionary expansion in 2006 with the development of a world-class equestrian center.
capacity for more than 400 horses, Al Shaqab also stands out for its dynamic architectural design, with a central horseshoe
shape creating a welcoming environment for both human and equine visitors.
The Equestrian center features facilities such as:
is to preserve the Arabian breed and to produce horses that are beautiful, athletic, and have great moral character and kindness. They must be physically strong to carry their riders to faraway places – just as they did in the past.
The breeding program is divided into three categories: International Arabian horses, combining all Arabian bloodlines; Straight Egyptian Arabians, as defined by The Pyramid Society; and the traditional Qatari bloodlines of the past.
The three World Champion Stallions are key to the program and are among the finest Arabian horses: Gazal Al Shaqab and his son, Marwan al Shaqab
head the International Arabian section and Al Adeed Al Shaqab leads the one for Straight Egyptians. Their worth as sires has been proven as their progeny continue winning the most important show championships throughout the world.
The Stallions bred by Al Shaqab include:
Department was developed to promote and further build interest in Qatar’s equestrian heritage. Since its development in 1997, Al Shaqab has risen as one of the world’s top Endurance competitors.
In 2008, the Al Shaqab team achieved its greatest international success. Representing the State of Qatar at the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu, Malaysia, the team finished second out of the 24 competing countries to earn the silver medal in the competition.
Al Shaqab’s Team competes annually throughout the Middle East and Europe, having its largest campaigns in Qatar and France. In recent years, the team has also traveled to competitions in South America, United States and East Asia.
Home of the Qatari National Team, the Endurance Center at Al Shaqab prepares Qatari competitors for national, regional and international endurance events, including the European Championships, the Asian Games
, and the FEI
World Equestrian Games
.
The current team, headed by HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani, is a dedicated group of Qatari officials and riders.
Through a diverse range of riding lessons and equine training, future generations of equestrian competitors and enthusiasts are being developed. The popularity of riding is increasing in Qatar and further programs are being developed to facilitate the growing demands.
Qatar Foundation
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a government-funded, chartered, non-profit organization in the state of Qatar, founded in 1995 by decree of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and chaired by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned...
’s (QF) visionary equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
center in the State of Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, where world-class facilities combine with the rich traditions of Arabian horse
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
s. Founded in 1992 by His Highness Sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, Al Shaqab joined QF in 2004. Al Shaqab is now the region’s leading equine education resource center and features the highest standards in the breeding
Animal husbandry
Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.- History :Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years, since the first domestication of animals....
of Arabian horse
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
s.
Their mission is to become global leaders in preserving, improving and promoting the Arabian horse breed and maintaining accessibility to the community while setting the highest standard in breeding, show, equestrian arts and equine welfare.
History
Centuries before natural gasNatural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
and petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
gave prominence to Qatar as one of the world's fastest growing economies, the country was known for its prized Arabians horses.
When the Al Thani ancestors, the ruling family of the State of Qatar, migrated out of the inhospitable Arabian Desert three centuries ago to settle in Qatar, the Arabian horse was a vital part of daily life.The Arabian horse played an important role in the founding of Qatar.
Al Shaqab takes its name from a historic battle against the Ottomans
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. Taking place in the town of Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan
Al-Rayyan is a municipality in the state of Qatar. Al Rayyan means 'the source of irrigation' and as per Islam it also means 'a door in heaven' or 'one of the Gates of Paradise' . Al-Rayyan is the only landlocked municipality of Qatar...
in 1893, the battle of Al Shaqab, or Al Wajba as it is also known, saw the Qataris, led by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeat the Ottomans. This historic event led to Qatar’s independence
History of Qatar
Qatar has been inhabited for several millennia. The Al Khalifa family of Bahrain dominated the area from the mid 1850s until 1868 when, at the request of Qatari sheikhs, the British negotiated the termination of the Bahraini claim, except for the payment of tribute. The tribute ended when the...
.
Vision, foresight and a passion to preserve and perpetuate the Arabian horse in Qatar led His Highness The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to establish Al Shaqab in 1992. In honor of his ancestor, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, he located the Arabian breeding farm at the landmark Al Shaqab battle site where more than a century ago the Bedouins had fought a pivotal battle that led to Qatar's independence.
Based on three guiding principles - Excellence, Education and Heritage - Al Shaqab began a visionary expansion in 2006 with the development of a world-class equestrian center.
Facility
Spread out over 980,000 square meters and with a stableStable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
capacity for more than 400 horses, Al Shaqab also stands out for its dynamic architectural design, with a central horseshoe
Horseshoe
A horseshoe, is a fabricated product, normally made of metal, although sometimes made partially or wholly of modern synthetic materials, designed to protect a horse's hoof from wear and tear. Shoes are attached on the palmar surface of the hooves, usually nailed through the insensitive hoof wall...
shape creating a welcoming environment for both human and equine visitors.
The Equestrian center features facilities such as:
- Administration & Maintenance Compound , Finance & Administration, Human Resources, Communications & Marketing, Facilities & Maintenance, Transportation Management area. Also Warehousing and Goods Receiving.
- Breeding & Show Centre , Stallion, Broodmare, Young stock, Foaling and Breeding Units. 142 A/c stables with ancillary service units and paddockPaddockA Paddock is an enclosure for horses. It may also refer to: People*Algernon Paddock , American politician*Charlie Paddock , American athlete and actor*Del Paddock , American baseball player...
s. HydrotherapyHydrotherapyHydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 19th century...
and Exercise Machines. - Competitors' Accommodation, Competitors, attendant grooms and staff accommodation . En-suite rooms with also communal lounge and dining area, meeting room and parking.
- Dressage Stables , 20 A/c stables with access to Shaded arenas and Hacking Trails Plus paddockEquestrianismEquestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
areas. - Emiri Stables , His Highness the Emir's Stables and MajlisMajlis' , is an Arabic term meaning "a place of sitting", used in the context of "council", to describe various types of special gatherings among common interest groups be it administrative, social or religious in countries with linguistic or cultural connections to Islamic countries...
. Marble and stainless steel bespoke stables housed in an elliptical A/c structure. - Endurance Stables , 60 A/c stables with access to sand & fiber training track and washed sand canter track, Shaded arenas and Hacking Trails Plus paddock areas.
- Equestrian Club , Clubhouse with swimming pool, restaurant, gym and leisure facilities with a panoramic view of the equine complex.
- Equine Exercise Centre / Endurance Accommodation , State of the art air conditioned Equine Hydrotherapy and Exercise Unit. Incorporating: swimming pool, equine Jacuzzi and dry treadmill and horse-walker with integral lunging unit.
- Indoor Arena , 100 meters by 60 meters field of play. 6,000 seats all housed within the air conditioned arena.
- Outdoor Arena , 120 meters by 80 meters field of play semi roofed.
- Riding Academy , A full service Riding Academy equipped with the infrastructure to teach all levels from absolute beginner to National Team level.
- Show Jumping Stables , 20 A/c stables with access to Shaded arenas and Hacking Trails Plus paddock areas.
- Stable Administration , The nexus for the administration of the Dressage, Show jumping and Endurance Stables with a full service Farriery Unit.
- Staff Accommodation , Onsite staff accommodation to house Al Shaqab staff.
- Veterinary Centre , A complete service Equine Hospital, Clinic, Laboratory. In place to provide the paragon of veterinary care to the horses in the State of Qatar and Worldwide.
- Visitors and Education Centre , An opportunity to appreciate the concept of Al Shaqab whilst at the same time being able to immerse oneself in the History of Qatar and its Arabian Horse heritage.
- Warm Up Arena , Part of the Arena that is used to prepare the horse immediately prior to competition
Breeding
Al Shaqab’s breeding philosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
is to preserve the Arabian breed and to produce horses that are beautiful, athletic, and have great moral character and kindness. They must be physically strong to carry their riders to faraway places – just as they did in the past.
The breeding program is divided into three categories: International Arabian horses, combining all Arabian bloodlines; Straight Egyptian Arabians, as defined by The Pyramid Society; and the traditional Qatari bloodlines of the past.
The three World Champion Stallions are key to the program and are among the finest Arabian horses: Gazal Al Shaqab and his son, Marwan al Shaqab
Marwan al Shaqab
Marwan al Shaqab is a 2000 bay Arabian stallion bred by Al Shaqab stud.- Show Record :2009: Qatari National Champion Stallion2008: World Champion Stallion, Nations Cup Champion Stallion2005: United States National Champion Junior Stallion - Unanimous...
head the International Arabian section and Al Adeed Al Shaqab leads the one for Straight Egyptians. Their worth as sires has been proven as their progeny continue winning the most important show championships throughout the world.
The Stallions bred by Al Shaqab include:
- Al Adeed Al Shaqab
- Amir Al Shaqab
- Fadi Al Shaqab
- Faraa Al Shaqab
- Farhoud Al Shaqab
- Gazal Al Shaqab
- Hadban Al Shaqab
- Jadaan Al Shaqab
- Kahil Al Shaqab
- Marwan Al Shaqab
- Nader Al Shaqab
- WN Star of Antigua
Endurance
Al Shaqab’s EnduranceEndurance
Endurance is the ability for a human or animal to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. In humans, it is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise...
Department was developed to promote and further build interest in Qatar’s equestrian heritage. Since its development in 1997, Al Shaqab has risen as one of the world’s top Endurance competitors.
In 2008, the Al Shaqab team achieved its greatest international success. Representing the State of Qatar at the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu, Malaysia, the team finished second out of the 24 competing countries to earn the silver medal in the competition.
Al Shaqab’s Team competes annually throughout the Middle East and Europe, having its largest campaigns in Qatar and France. In recent years, the team has also traveled to competitions in South America, United States and East Asia.
Home of the Qatari National Team, the Endurance Center at Al Shaqab prepares Qatari competitors for national, regional and international endurance events, including the European Championships, the Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
, and the FEI
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
World Equestrian Games
World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism, and administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale . The games have been held every four years, halfway between sets of consecutive Summer Olympic Games, since 1990...
.
The current team, headed by HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani, is a dedicated group of Qatari officials and riders.
Riding Academy
The Riding Academy is a vital community asset for Qatar. Its role is to educate and promote horsemanship as part of the country’s famed equestrian heritage.Through a diverse range of riding lessons and equine training, future generations of equestrian competitors and enthusiasts are being developed. The popularity of riding is increasing in Qatar and further programs are being developed to facilitate the growing demands.