Hamad Al Kirbi at the 2017 Al Shira’aa Show.
After entering into partnership with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF), Al Shira’aa Stables is set to become the sponsor of the UAE Show Jumping Team until October 2018.
With bases in the UAE and the UK, Al Shira’aa Stables is a global company that works to promote and develop all levels of horse sport in both the UAE and abroad. This is the company’s latest sponsorship in recent months following their three-year naming rights deal with the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby.
The deal will see Al Shira’aa Stables provide support for the UAE Show Jumping Team in their campaigns for the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, USA and the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“The future of the UAE Show Jumping Team is prosperous because of the support received by HH Sheikhs of the UAE and HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. I hope to fulfill other achievements of the UAE to shine internationally in the world of show jumping and to promote the sport in the UAE, to put a fingerprint for the success of our beloved country in international events,” said Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, President of UAEERF.
“An important part of this deal will be the partnership between Al Shira’aa Stables and the UAEERF and we look forward to developing our existing relationship still further,” said General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi. “We will work together to give the UAE Team the very best foundations possible as they represent our country on the global stage.”
Board Member of UAEERF and Head of the Showjumping and Dressage committee H.E. Mariam Mohammed Saaed Hareb added: “Our partnership with Al Shira’aa Stables over the next season will assist us in providing the UAE Team with a strong platform from which to base their campaign. This is a significant season for team UAE as we build on our Barcelona success, and we look forward to working with Al Shira’aa Stables at this exciting time to help develop showjumping further in the Emirates.”
The UAE Show Jumping Team achieved its biggest win to date with a victory in the September 29, 2017 Challenge Cup at the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Jumping in Barcelona, beating several of the world’s leading show jumping countries.
“As a company devoted to furthering equestrianism in all its forms, Al Shira’aa had previously sponsored individual riders. Now we are taking our involvement in the UAE’s thriving show jumping scene to the next level by sponsoring the entire team,” said Omran Ahmed Al Owais, Al Shira’aa Stables’ Sport Director. “We recognise the depth of talent that exists here and it is our desire to see this talent reach its great potential.”
“This is a very important year for the UAE Team with both the World Equestrian Games and the Asian Games taking place and we have pledged to support the team through these two challenges and build on the fantastic result in the Challenge Cup at last year’s Longines FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final,” said Omran Ahmed Al Owais.
UAE team trainer Karl Schneider also welcomed the news.
“We are absolutely delighted with the news that Al Shira’aa Stables is to sponsor the UAE team,” he said. “Success in show jumping is dependent on many things, and having a strong supporting team is essential. It allows the riders to focus on the job they have to do in the arena. We will be continuing to work extremely hard as we prepare for our international targets this year and we hope we can make Al Shira’aa Stables and the UAE proud.”