Al Shira’aa Stables is to become the sponsor of the UAE Showjumping Team until October 2018 after entering into partnership with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF). The deal will see Al Shira’aa Stables provide support to the UAE Showjumping Team in their preparation campaigns for the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, USA and the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.This is the latest sponsorship deal undertaken by Al Shira’aa Stables in recent months, following the company’s three-year naming rights deal with the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby.

Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, President of UAEERF was thrilled with the news commenting: “The future of the UAE Showjumping 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, and I hope to fulfil other achievements of the UAE to shine internationally in the world of showjumping, and to promote the sport in the UAE, to put a fingerprint for the success of our beloved country in international events.”

“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. 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.”

Omran Ahmed Al Owais, Al Shira’aa Stables’ Sport Director has said: “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 showjumping scene to the next level by sponsoring the entire team. We recognise the depth of talent that exists here and it is our desire to see this talent reach its great potential.”

The UAE Showjumping Team achieved its biggest win to date in September 2017 with victory in the Challenge Cup at the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Jumping in Barcelona, beating several of the world’s leading showjumping countries including Ireland, Great Britain, Brazil and Spain.

“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 of Jumping,” said Omran Ahmed Al Owais. Mr. Al Owais added that partnership between different organisations was key to the success of the UAE Team.

UAE team trainer, Karl Schneider 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 showjumping 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.”

With bases in the UAE and the UK, Al Shira’aa Stables is global company, that works to promote and develop all levels of horse sport both in the UAE and abroad. In 2017 Al Shira’aa Stables became the title sponsor of one of the most famous showjumping shows, England’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby.