The International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014 has issued invitations to falcon farms and their owners to participate in the competition for the best looking and largest falcons in the world.
Judging in the contest will take place in the categories of Best Gyr-Peregrine Bred in Captivity, Best 3/4 Bred Pure Gyr, Best Gyr Male and Best Pure Gyr, in addition to the Best Display Stand for falconry and related equipment in the exhibition.
Apart from the various qualifications of the birds, participating falcons are also evaluated according to their general look, as well as their health.
The 12th edition of the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers' Club, supported by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee in Abu Dhabi, and organised by the Emirates Falconers' Club and Informa Exhibitions Company from the 10th -13th of September at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre.
The Falcon Beauty Contest has become world-renowned and attracts various participants committed to offering the best they have of the breeding falcons and has gained the appreciation of regional and international bodies interested in preserving heritage and conserving the environment.
The sport of falconry is practiced in more than 80 countries around the world. In November 2010, the international efforts led by the U.A.E. succeeded in getting falconry included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, since falconry is one of the main pivots of U.A.E. and Arab heritage.
Emirates Falconers' Club is actively participating in the events of the 12th edition of the exhibition and visitors will learn about the Wild Falcon Release Programme, which is one of the noble traditions launched by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, in the field of protecting heritage.
The programme has been running since 1995, and hundreds of Pure and Peregrine falcons have been released into their original habitats, in order to give them the opportunity to breed again and increase their numbers.
Source: WAM