Events

May 28, 2022

Bolesworth Young Horse Championships 2022

Al Shira’aa to be headline sponsors to the Bolesworth Young Horse Championships 2022 for the third year running!

Following the huge success of the inaugural event, the new partnership will centre on Al Shira’aa being the title sponsor for the 2022 British Young Horse Championships at Bolesworth for the third consecutive year.

We are proud to have set up their own breeding programme based in the South of England, and are excited to align this venture to support young horse development in the United Kingdom.

As a breeder, we focus on breeding elite foals out of our home team mares and stallions, many of whom have competed themselves up to CSI 5* 1.60m level and have even collected from our reserve champion, silver medalist Chacco Bay 5yo stallion by Chaccato x Heops.

The five-day young horse showcase runs from August 12 – 17 2022 in the stunning grounds of Bolesworth Castle, home of the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show and will feature 4, 5, 6 & 7 yo classes incorporating the World Breeding Jumping Championship Qualifiers for 2022.

Managing Director of Bolesworth, Nina Barbour said ‘We are delighted to be forming a partnership with Al Shira’aa. They share our values and Equestrian vision with respect to the promotion of Elite Sport Horse Breeding and the development of both young horses and young riders for the sport, as well as promoting World Class Showjumping across the globe.’

Bolesworth will also be working with Al Shira’aa to support and promote the Al Shira’aa Horse Show and UAE tour, which offer International riders a unique opportunity to enjoy top class facilities, and a huge range of opportunities to jump including Amateur, Young Horse, and International classes up to CSI 4* level incorporating a WEG Qualifier.

As the hosts of the Al Shira’aa Horse Show in Abu Dhabi, they are excited to offer a world class show for not only elite riders but young horses and amateurs too.

Al Shira’aa offer a bespoke concierge service to tailor your trip to the UAE, and guide riders and owners through the travel arrangements for horses, riders and connections. For more information, contact sami@alshiraastables.com

May 28, 2022

AL SHIRA’AA EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS

Samantha Kettle Events, News

The Title Sponsors Sign until 2024!

The title sponsors of the Derby have signed up until 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Al Shira’aa has signed up as the title sponsor of the Hickstead Derby for a further three years.

Al Shira’aa was founded by HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and it has stables in the UAE as well as in the UK.

Having first sponsored the class in 2017, the new agreement will see them remain as the main sponsor until at least 2024.

“Al Shira’aa is delighted to support the annual Hickstead Derby,” said the Sheikha. “As an owner and proud breeder, supporting these historic classes in Great Britain allows us to be placed firmly on the European map, showcasing the fruits of our production and the quality of British bred-horses.

“I am thankful to the showjumping community in the United Kingdom for allowing us to be part of these fantastic shows on the British showjumping calendar, and to the Bunn family for their heritage in this sport, creating a fantastic showground for owners, breeders, horses, riders and spectators. With the absence of this thrilling class for the past two years, I hope everyone enjoys this year’s Derby as much as we do,” she added.

Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn commented: “As we look forward to the 60th Derby, I am proud to see the showground that my father created, and its most famous class, still flourishing. I would like to thank Al Shira’aa for their ongoing support of the Hickstead Derby, and look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

November 12, 2019

Bolesworth Young Horse Championships 2020.

raju Events, News

Al Shira’aa to be headline sponsors to the Bolesworth Young Horse Championships 2020.

Following the huge success of the inaugural event, the new partnership will centre on Al Shira’aa being the title sponsor for the 2020 British Young Horse Championships at Bolesworth.

We are proud to have set up their own breeding programme based in the South of England, and are excited to align this venture to support young horse development in the United Kingdom.

The five-day young horse showcase runs from August 19 – 23 2020 in the stunning grounds of Bolesworth Castle, home of the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show and will feature 4, 5, 6 & 7 yo classes incorporating the World Breeding Jumping Championship Qualifiers for 2020. This year, after landing a silver medal in the 5yo Championship at the World Championship final at Lanaken with our exciting prospect Chacco Bay, we will be bringing a strong team to Bolesworth in 2020 to build on this success with our young ones and home breds.

As the hosts of the Al Shira’aa Horse Show in Abu Dhabi, forms part of a longer UAE tour and runs over 3 weeks starting on January 9th with a CSI 3*, and finishing on a high with a CSI 4* (22nd – 25th January). Other highlights include exceptional VIP packages, high end entertainment & culture and of course glorious sunshine throughout.

April 20, 2019

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby 2019

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Al Shira\’aa Hickstead Derby 2019

Al Shira’aa Stables is delighted to announce the extension of one its key global partnerships, the world-famous Hickstead Derby, until 2022.

Al Shira’aa took over sponsorship of the famous Hickstead Derby in 2017, and after two very successful seasons the agreement is to extend the until at least 2022.

The Al Shira’aa Derby is the highlight of the four-day Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (20-23 June), and sees horses and riders tackle an iconic course of fences including the tricky Devil’s Dyke and the 10ft 6in Derby Bank.

Al Shira’aa has added a number of Hickstead’s other classes to its sponsorship umbrella, including the British Five Year Old and British Six Year Old Championships for young horses, plus the Under 25 Masters, which is a prestigious annual young rider championship held on the Saturday of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.

Al Shira’aa has always been passionate about promoting good horsemanship and equestrian sport, both within the United Arab Emirates and around the world supporting all levels of the sport from grassroots upwards, which is why these new classes are of particular importance.

Al Shira’aa Stables adds; \”The sponsorship of these classes reflect our values at Al Shira’aa, of supporting riders from the junior to senior levels, as well as our commitment to horsemanship and dedication to the development of young horses. The partnership between Hickstead and Al Shira’aa is of great importance to us with regards to our global reach in the equestrian world. With our shared passion for heritage and prestige, coupled with the dedication to celebrate the greatest talent in equestrian sport, the years ahead look set to be very exciting for this continued partnership.\”

“We are delighted that the partnership between Hickstead and Al Shira’aa is set to continue – their support has been invaluable to us, and we’re extremely grateful that they have increased their agreement to cover several of our young horse championships as well as the Al Shira’aa Under 25 Masters,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn.

Tickets are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk

July 22, 2018

Al Shira’aa International Horse Show 2019

raju Events, News

Al Shira’aa International Horse Show 2019

January 9-12 2019
at Al Forsan International Sports Resort

Abu Dhabi

For details please visit www.alshiraahorseshow.com

January 12, 2019

January 11, 2019

January 10, 2019

January 9, 2019

July 22, 2018

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby 2018

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Al Shira\’aa Hickstead Derby 2018

The Al Shira\’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (21-24 June) at Hickstead is one of the most popular events in the equestrian calendar.

Around 45,000 spectators are expected to flock to the West Sussex showground in June, with visitor numbers peaking during the famous Al Shira’aa Derby on the Sunday afternoon. The Derby course is fearsomely tricky, with iconic obstacles such as the Derby Bank, the Devil’s Dyke and the double of water ditches guaranteeing plenty of thrills and spills for spectators.

But as well as the eight busy rings of equestrian action, there is a lot more to see and do during the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting. The new Family Zone will feature a funfair, with half price rides on Thursday and Friday, as well as entertainment from popular local company Tomfoolery. Admission is free for all children under five for the duration of the show, with discounts available for children aged five to 14, pensioners and on family tickets.

There are more than 150 stands in the Charles Owen Shopping Village, giving shoppers the chance to browse many of the leading countryside brands. This year, there is free general admission on the Thursday of the show, to encourage people to come along to experience the fabulous shopping for themselves. Then there’s the wide range of bars and eateries, from the street food vans, the artisan food hall or one of the many bars and restaurants, all the way up to fine dining in one of the hospitality options.

Tickets are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk, with discounts applying in advance.

July 22, 2018

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby 2017

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Al Shira’aa Hickstead Meeting 2017

Hickstead heralds a new dawn as Al Shira’aa take on sponsorship of the Derby

One of the most iconic showjumping classes in the world has gained a new headline sponsor, with Al Shira’aa taking over as the title sponsor of the Hickstead Derby.

The Al Shira’aa Derby will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 25 June 2017, with the class forming the finale of the four-day CSI4* Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (22-25 June).

To mark this important new sponsorship, a new video has been created to showcase the upcoming Al Shira’aa Derby. Filmed and produced by Equine Productions, the video looks back over the extraordinary 57-year history of the Hickstead Derby, a class in which both horse and rider become legends.

The film features three former Hickstead Derby winners – three-time champion William Funnell (2006, 2008 and 2009), two-time winner Trevor Breen (2014 and 2015) and the reigning Derby champion William Whitaker, who won for the first time in 2016. In the video, the riders explain why the showground is so special and what it meant to them to win the Derby.

Many of the Derby’s most memorable moments are included in the launch film, including Eddie Macken’s incredible four wins on Boomerang, and footage of the first female winner, Pat Smythe, from back in 1962.

Al Shira’aa Stables LLC was founded by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the company is dedicated to the support and promotion of all horses and equestrian sports.

Based in the heart of Abu Dhabi, with various other locations throughout the world, the five-star facilities of Al Shira’aa Stables provide a unique home for many types of horses, from youngstock to broodmares, and top competition horses to those who are enjoying their retirement. The company encourages horse riders in different equestrian sports, globally as well as in the United Arab Emirates.

The Hickstead sponsorship will not be the first experience of world-class equestrian events for Al Shira’aa. In January this year the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi hosted the first Al Shira’aa International Horse Show, which offered UAE and international riders the opportunity to qualify for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

While the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby deal is for a preliminary three-year period, it is expected that the collaboration between Al Shira’aa and the Bunn family will flourish and continue.

“We are so pleased to announce Al Shira’aa as the new title sponsor of the Derby,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. “Sponsors are the lifeblood of our sport and without the generosity of companies like Al Shira’aa the sport simply could not exist. The Hickstead Derby was first held in 1961 and has retained its popularity and status for nearly six decades – we’re very excited that Al Shira’aa will be part of its future.”

Thomas O’Brien, UK Supervisor for Al Shira’aa, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting this iconic and thrilling equestrian event. The Sheikha is a keen and enthusiastic horse rider herself, and it is the love of horses that drives her ambition to develop and influence this sport. What better way of supporting this ambition than the sponsoring of one of the most famous show jumping events in the world?”

Kate Moisson, UK Project Manager for Al Shira’aa, added: “Our passion and support of all equestrian sports are further underlined by our commitment to the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby. We are very excited about the forthcoming show and working with the Bunn family, and the Hickstead team, going forward.”

Tickets for theAl Shira’aaHickstead Derby Meeting are on sale now at www.hickstead.co.uk. The class will be broadcast online throughout the world on Hickstead.TV.

July 22, 2018

Al Shira’aa International Horse Show 2018

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Al Shira\’aa International Horse Show 2018

Al Forsan International Sports Resort- Abu Dhabi

Last year the UAE saw the inaugural running of the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show,  an unprecedented CSI four star, four day event that, in keeping with Al Shira’aa Stables’ vision, provided a stage for competitors across the showjumping spectrum. With prize purses of more than AED 1 million, CSI one star classes for young riders, juniors and young horses  as well as the chance for elite competitors to qualify for the 2018 World Equestrian Games, the show made an immediate impact on the UAE equestrian scene, attracting  around 300 horses and 150 local and international riders.

With a remit to support and develop equestrian sport in the UAE, the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show offers local talent the chance to compete on a truly global scale at home,  while also serving to highlight and promote the values of international friendship, cooperation and equestrian development upon which the event was built.

Al Shira’aa Stables is delighted to once again stage this exciting show, from January 10-13, 2018 this year with prize money exceeding € 200 000 and offering five ranking classes.

We return once again to the excellent Al Forsan International Sports Resort as our venue and look forward to welcoming all our international friends back to Abu Dhabi.

While the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show is still a new stop on the global showjumping calendar we hope that, with the continued support of the international equestrian community, it develops into one of the most anticipated events of the year for both international and UAE-based riders.