Dubai-based Briton makes waves in falconry championship

Dubai - Harry made his debut in the Fazza Championship for Falconry with one falcon.

British national Harry Ian Garland came second at one stage after his falcon named 'British' clocked 20.512 seconds which eventually clinched him ninth position.
"Earlier this year, we went to Pakistan and were hunting houbara and in October we started training for the race," said Harry who made his debut in the Fazza Championship for Falconry with one falcon.
"My father is a falconer in England. I was working for him before coming to Dubai two years ago," said Harry, a falcon breeder attached to Dubai Falcon Center and was seen immersed in Emirati culture being comfortable wearing the national dress.
The Fazza Championship for Falconry - Telwah (the lure), the first falconry competition of the new Fazza Heritage Championship season, organized and supervised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) saw a Briton entering the fray in the General Public category on Monday in Dubai.
A record number of 367 falcons participated in five disciplines of the Jeer Tabaa Farkh and Jernas events in the General Public category on the seventh day of competition in Ruwayyah.
The Fazza Championship for Falconry - Telwah will continue until January 15 at the dedicated site for falconry in Ruwayyah area off Emirates Road (Exit 55) in Dubai with Qarmossha Farkh and Jernas events for General Public on Tuesday January 9.
Jeer Tabaa Farkh
Hamid Rashid Al Mansouri's produced a double winner in the Jeer Tabaa Farkh (Trophy) event when his falcons named '98B' and '61' clocked the fastest times of 18.531 seconds and 18.559 respectively, with just 00.028 seconds separating the two. Mohammed Abdullah Al Kindi's entry named '1038' won third place clocking 18.582, just 00.051 seconds off the pace.
In the keenly contested Jeer Tabaa Farkh (Car) event, Sultan Rashid Al Mansouri's 'Lahoub' clinched first place in a time of 19.152 seconds. Hamad Ahmed Bin Mijrin's entry named '11' (19.780) won second place while Rashid bin Saroud's 'Smism' (19.866) clinched third from a field of 55.
In the heavily contested Jeer Tabaa Farkh (Cash) event which attracted 91 entries, Hamid Rashid Al Mansouri's falcon named 'Clip' emerged the winner in a time of 19.970 seconds. Hamad Ahmed Bin Mijrin's entry 'M23' (20.032) clinched second position, being just 00.062 seconds off the pace. Hamid Rashid Al Mansouri's entry 'The Wicked' (20.094), claimed third position being just 00.124 seconds off the winner's place.
Jeer Tabaa Jernas
Khalid Nasser Al Hajiri claimed a double success in the Jeer Tabaa Jernas (Trophy) event in the General Public category when his entries clinched first and third place clocking 20.048 seconds and 20.258 respectively. Hazaa Al Mahmoud's entry took second place clocking 20.209.
In the heavily contest Jeer Tabaa Jernas (Car) final, Khalifa Sultan Mansouri's entry named 'Directions' emerged the winner clocking 19.466 seconds. Hamdan Saeed Jaber's 'T6' (19.679) clinched second position, just 00.213 seconds off the pace. Mubarak Al Marar's entry 'M2' (19.900) claimed third position from a field of 75.
Challenges
Ms Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, praised the efforts of the contestants to complete the races despite strong winds. "We thank the participants in Fazza Falconry tournaments for their constant efforts and keenness to meet the challenges, including the climatic conditions that may be difficult for the racing falcons," she said.
"The overall changes in the tournament came in the interest of the HHC's strategic objective," said Ms. Suad Ibrahim. "We are delighted to be partners in the revival and dissemination of the social heritage of the sport of falconry."
Professionalism
Ahmed Al Rumaithi, who started his participation in the General Public categories since the first day, said: "The season is characterized by flexibility, speed and professionalism. I am a regular participant in the Fazza Falconry Championship. UAE has become the leader in the preservation of this heritage sport. Hats off to the organizing committee who has always taken into account the needs of the participants which has been reflected in terms of performance. For me, electronic preparation is the most important development. The early registration before the start, makes up better prepared," he said.
Developments
Multiple winner Khaled Salem Al Hajiri was pleased to see the developments in the Fazza Championship for Falconry in the 'Year of Zayed'.
"These championships encourage us to breed falcons and practice this hobby. We had several entries in the General Public category and thank God we won first place. The changes in the tournament format have made the competition stronger and chances of winning more because of the various disciplines," he said.
Briton Harry Garland also echoed the same sentiments regarding the new format of this championship. "I love the new format. It is very professional. There are more people participating and there are more chances of winning. Even the not so top falcons are able to compete for the Trophy or Cash. Not everyone has to go for the Car. This year I have seen more people entering Cash race than Car race. It's a very interesting format," he said.
Sponsors
The official sponsors of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center are: Al Tayer Motors Land Rover, Dubai Airports, AW Rostamani (Arabian Automobiles), Global Village and Al Oula radio station.