Al-Futtaim Travel Supports Emirati Stable’s Bid for International Honours @AlFuttaimTravel

Al-Futtaim Travel, one of the UAE’s leading corporate and retail travel management companies has thrown its weight behind a UAE stable owner Ms. Reem Alabbar and her horse Webster in support of a bid to compete for international honors. In doing so, Al-Futtaim Travel has undertaken to cover travel-related expenses to the UK for Webster’s rider Ms. Cristina Calin.  She will represent her native Romania at the 2013 Hickstead World Dressage Championships on 1st, 2nd and 3rd August. Webster’s owner, Emirati Dressage Champion, Ms. Reem Alabbar, has confirmed that Webster hopes to use this experience ahead of next year’s Asian Games in South Korea, 2015 Pan Arab Games in Qatar, and the 2016 Olympic Games where he could represent the UAE in the nation’s bid for equestrian glory. “This is part of Webster’s preparation and is designed to help the horse gain experience from significant international Dressage events that will ultimately help him successfully compete at the world stage,” said Reem Alabbar. “We are very thankful to Al-Futtaim Travel for its faith in us and their support, and look forward to the challenge for my horse as he will be competing against some of the world’s best horses.” “Dressage is an equestrian discipline defined as the highest expression of horse training where horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements and as such it is highly evocative of the strong affinity between man and beast and especially between Arabs and their horses,” said Alabbar. Ms. Alabbar acquired Webster from London 2012 Olympic dressage team gold medalist Carl Hester, who is also acclaimed as a world-class rider and trainer. Webster joined Alabbar’s UAE stable 18 months ago. Speaking on behalf of Al-Futtaim Travel, General Manager, William Horsley, said: “As a company we have always wanted to identify a sponsorship opportunity that can elevate our brand’s appeal amongst Emiratis and the equestrian community whilst enabling us to give back to the community as whole in which we operate; in supporting Webster’s bid for glory, Al Futtaim Travel hopes to further fuel the passion of the UAE people for equestrian sports by helping him perform at the most competitive of levels.”