A Gift From The Desert is the first major exhibition to explore the dynamic impact of the horse on Near Eastern civilization, taking you on a fascinating journey from the arrival of the first domesticated horses in the Near East to the renaissance of purebred Arabian horse breeding in the Near East today. As the story of the Arabian horse is dependent upon the cultures that created, nurtured and protected their purity, strong emphasis will be placed upon those cultures, not only in relation to the horse, but also in their myriad contributions to human civilization.

One important goal of the Exhibition is to promote cultural understanding through the medium of the horse, and to highlight the vast contributions the Islamic and Arab world have made to human civilization. For this reason, while the majority of objects will focus on the horse, the exhibition also highlights art and artefacts that relate to the civilizations which cherished the Arabian breed.

Over 400 items from 26 major museums as well as from private collections around the world will be on display, including art, artefacts and photographs relating to horses in the Ancient Near East, Egypt and Arabia, Bedouin folklore and culture, the spread of Islam and the Islamic dynasties, Orientalist art and the famed European and American travellers who journeyed to the deserts of the Middle East in search of purebred Arabian horses.

The Opening Reception and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony take place on 27th May 2010.

For more information about the exhibition, see here: www.kyhorsepark.com/gift/index.htm

AL-MARAH ARABIAN HORSE GALLERIES:
The Purebred Arabian Trust has announced that on 12th June 2010 the Opening Ceremonies will take place for this exciting new permanent exhibit at the International Museum of the horse.
More information here: www.purebredarabiantrust.com/Galleries_Info.asp

2010 ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES:
These Exhibitions will also be open during the 2010 World Equestrian Games, which take place from September 25th to October 10th 2010. The Games include the World Endurance Championships on September 26 – 27th in which many Arabian horses will from all over the world will be taking part.
More information here: www.alltechfeigames.com

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Located in Lexington, the 1,229-acre Kentucky Horse Park is the only park in the world devoted to man's relationship with the horse. The only facility of its kind in the world, the International Museum of the Horse is dedicated to educating the general public—as well as the equestrian and academic communities—about the relationship between man and the horse throughout history and in various cultures. There are permanent exhibitions as well as living horses and many other attractions.
More information can be found here: www.kyhorsepark.com/ and here: http://www.imh.org

MORE WAHO NEWS, THIS TIME FROM BELGIUM:We are also pleased to inform you that a very interesting DVD has been prepared by our colleagues at the Belgian Arabian Horse Society. The highlight is a really lovely half-hour specially made film about Arabian horses in Belgium and all their many and varied activities in the country. trailer below:

To order your copy please contact BAPS/SBCA at email: baps.sbca@scarlet.be
or via their website: www.baps-sbca.be/