The highly anticipated Dubai International Horse Fair will get underway tomorrow (March 21st).Entering its ninth year, the event is the Middle East's leading exhibition of equestrian equipment, services and care products and the 2013 version is set to be bigger and better than ever.Organisers have announced a ten per cent rise in the number of confirmed exhibitors when compared to last year and more than 200 companies and brands will be participating.It is a huge month for the equine industry in the emirate, as the high-profile Dubai World Cup race meeting will be held on March 30th at the Meydan Racecourse. This is the most lucrative race in the world and the amount of money that is generated throughout the carnival is phenomenal.The Horse Fair is also staged alongside the 10th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship - where purebred Arabian horses are judged on their beauty, agility and heritage. With prize money of US$4 million (AED 15 million), the event is sure to attract a huge amount of interest.Ziad Abdullah Galadari, chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, said the emirate has always been an "ideal meeting place" for international equine enthusiasts."The Dubai International Horse Fair is widely recognised by the equine industry as the must-see event in a region with strong traditional roots in horsemanship and a rich history in sporting equestrian excellence," he remarked."Both Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship and Dubai International Horse Fair not only form an important platform for those passionate about horses, but also an enjoyable and entertaining weekend out for the entire family."The Horse Fair will run until Saturday March 23rd and will be held in Halls Seven and Eight of the Dubai World Trade Centre. It was first launched in 2005 and the event has grown in stature ever since, with more than 8,000 people from across 59 different countries visiting the 2012 equine extravaganza.
