Saudi women show up as highfliers at Riyadh falcon’s exhibition

Often seen as a male dominated sport, a handful of Saudi women are showing up as highfliers at this year's falcon exhibit in the Saudi capital.

Six young Saudi women falconers took part in the Falcons and Hunting Exhibition in Riyadh which celebrates the expensive hunting birds.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAUDI FALCONER, KHOLOD ALOTHMAN, SAYING:

"The thing that drew me to falconry is that falcons are a symbol of strength and women are strong by nature. Falconry is a very meaningful hobby, it changed my personality, it made me stronger, more patient and I challenged my fears."

The group of friends visited the exhibition's first edition last year.

Dazzled by the experience and surprised by the lack of women participation, they formed a falconry team.

Falconry is an important part of the cultural desert heritage of the region and goes back thousands of years.

The women want to send a message to others that the hobby is not limited to men.