13th Adihex: 'Hunt' for fun begins in Abu Dhabi

Even before the 13th Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) opened to the public on Wednesday morning, dozens of people were seen queuing up at the gates.
Visitors, including groups from many schools, were excited to have a look at the exhibits on display in 650 stands inside.
The four-day event - organised by the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club with the support of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi - is much more than just an exhibition for hunting, camping and outdoors pursuits products this year.
Beyond hunting
Falcon portraits, camping tents, wildlife conservation projects, stunningly engraved hunting rifles, knives worth Dh50,000, traditional Emirati chests and off-road suspensions for 4x4 vehicles are among the items on display. Arrangements have also been made for Emirati culture and heritage shows, workshops, lectures and various other activities.
There are daily shows of horses, Arabian saluki and birds, running from 11.30am till 9pm.
The Dhabian Equestrian Club is demonstrating horse dressage techniques, in addition to organising horse jumping shows and free pony riding and grooming sessions.
For the first time in Adihex history, a public conference area has been set up for exhibitors - art studios, safari tour organisers, rifle manufacturers and environmental experts - to present their products and projects.
Focus on falconry
Adihex may have grown into a major heritage event, but the focus is still on falconry. "Falconry remains strongly represented at Adihex. We have falcon shows, falcon beauty competitions and falcon breeding farms," said Majid Ali Al Mansouri, chairman of Adihex Higher Organising Committee and executive director of Emirates Falconers Club.
"We are also promoting the Mohammed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert School, which aims to increase awareness about falconry's heritage value. The school was first announced last December, during the International Falconry Festival in Abu Dhabi, and before the end of the year, we will be ready to take in students," said Al Mansouri.
Soon after the school was announced, construction of the building began in a desert area between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The building is now ready and, according to Al Mansouri, wok is in progress to set up the curricula.
"The courses will be run for children between 8 and 18 years, open not just to Emirati children, but all nationalities. There will be short courses of maximum two weeks, so it will not interfere with the children's normal school programme," he told Khaleej Times. Adihex will run until September 12.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• Want to go hunting? Visit Adihex for tips and trips