Dubai: Dubai-based British national Harry Ian Garland has created waves during his debut performance at the Fazza Championship for Falconry — Telwah (the lure).
Performing on the seventh day of the first falconry competition of the new Fazza Heritage Championship season, organised and supervised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Heritage Centre (HHC), Garland set the early pace being placed second at one stage after his falcon named ‘British’ clocked 20.512 seconds eventually clinching 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 championship with one falcon.
- Harry Garland, Debut participant
Garland, who is a falcon breeder with Dubai Falcon Centre, added: “My father is a falconer in England. I was working for him before coming to Dubai two years ago.”
Looking comfortable in Emirati national dress, Garland said the new format of the competition allows everyone to compete.
“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 added.
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.
Meanwhile, Hamid Rashid Al Mansouri 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.
Mohammad 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 Ahmad 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 Ahmad 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.
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.
