DIRIYAH —Alongside the competitive nature of the Diriyah Equestrian Festival, the first international equestrian competition where men and women take part in together in the Kingdom, fans local and foreign alike are able to enjoy the event village which houses artist booths, retailers, restaurants and even musicians.

The event village is positioned just behind the arena where stallions, mares and their equestrians are showcasing their jumping skills as they vie for a ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the World Cup.

The event village accompanying the Diriyah Equestrian Festival includes a variety of restaurants and brands of Saudi and international stores in addition to traditional symbols such as the exhibition of Arabian horse art pieces, fusing the equestrian sport with the local tradition. Other exhibitors include artists of different kinds, concept stores, retailers and cafes.

A dedicated children’s area with educational and entertaining activities for families, such as decorating styrofoam horse heads with paint and an electric rodeo bull, amongst other activities that make the event village perfect for adult and child alike.

ResinArt, an incubator and platform for young Saudi artists, grabs the attention of a passing Swiss family as owner Mohammed AlMudayfer invites them to his booth and hands them an Arabian horse coaster made of wood.

“Our exhibit here in the festival focuses on projecting aspects of the Saudi identity that go hand in hand with the theme of the festival, such as engravings and statues of the Arabian stallion,” said Mohammed. “My main goal for this festival is displaying our identity by means of art, mainly to the international crowd present in the Diriyah Equestrian Festival,” he added.

ResinArt houses over 60 artists and provides the support they need. They then display and sell handmade artifacts, statues, painting and other forms of art made by the young artists. “An artist needs a space? We provide it for them. The artist needs material? We supply them. Its urgent we grow the talent of the next generation and give them the support they deserve,” said Mohammed.

Another exhibitor aptly named Objects is run by 24-year-old audiologist Lama AlThubaity, who when not treating patients and people with hearing disabilities in her main profession, runs her concept store, which started from her bedroom as a daughter-father business five years ago all the way to opening her first physical store next month.

Objects is a concept store that sells products such as bracelets, jewelry and other handmade accessories, which are then laser engraved with any word or symbol the customer requests.

“We’re happy to be here and the reaction from customers and attendees has been great, especially as we are opening our first permanent location,” said Lama.

Diriyah Equestrian Festival (DEF), which has returned for the second year after a highly successful inaugural event in 2018, will see over 150 international, regional and local riders make their way to al Duhami Farm to showcase their equestrian prowess to the world and to inspire riders in Saudi Arabia and worldwide with their elite sportsmanship.

In what is be a history making moment for the Kingdom, the competition sees male and female equestrians ride side-by-side for the first time, complimenting the efforts of Vision 2030 to reform the social sphere of Saudi society as it opens up to the world in ways never seen before.

The Festival is part of the wider Diriyah Season. Known as the home of kings and heroes, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site Diriyah will also stage performances from some of the biggest music artists on the planet, including Swedish House Mafia and Calvin Harris. — SG