His Highness The Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani established Al Shaqab in 1992 to enjoy his passion for Arabian horses, to honor the courageous war horses ridden by victorious Qatari knights of the past, and to assure the Arabian horse would continue to play a leading role in the cultural heritage of the Qatari people.
Al Shaqab’s Endurance Department was developed to promote and further build interest in Qatar’s equestrian heritage. Endurance riding is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports, consisting of long-distance races up to 160 kilometers.
Equine education is a vital community asset for Qatar. The role of Al Shaqab’s Equine Education Department (EED) is to educate and promote horsemanship as part of the country’s famed equestrian heritage.
The Al Shaqab equestrian center was specifically designed to honor the distinguished classic beauty as well as the treasured and versatile skills of the Arabian breed.
For many years, Al Shaqab has been a highly-requested destination of visitors to Doha. In response to this interest, the new facility will include a visitor's center and museum to showcase the heritage of the Arabian horse.
