Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, Sheikha Fatima's representative and Khaula Al Nuaimi, her head of protocol, accept the award at Hickstead. Photo: Al Shira’aa
Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, Sheikha Fatima's representative and Khaula Al Nuaimi, her head of protocol, accept the award at Hickstead. Photo: Al Shira’aa
Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, Sheikha Fatima's representative and Khaula Al Nuaimi, her head of protocol, accept the award at Hickstead. Photo: Al Shira’aa
Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, Sheikha Fatima's representative and Khaula Al Nuaimi, her head of protocol, accept the award at Hickstead. Photo: Al Shira’aa

Lifestyle

Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza honoured for contribution to British Showjumping

The award was given out during the Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

July 31, 2025

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Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza has been recognised for her contribution to British Showjumping. The award was given out during the Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, one of showjumping’s most historic venues.

Lizzie and Edward Bunn, directors of Hickstead, presented the award, which was received on Sheikha Fatima's behalf by Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi, her representative, and Khaula Al Nuaimi, her head of protocol.

Sheikha Fatima, daughter of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative of Al Ain Region, has long championed the growth of equestrian sport both in the UAE and abroad.

Her equestrian enterprise, Al Shira’aa, has become a significant force in international showjumping, working to supporting up-and-coming talent, sponsor top-level events and build partnerships across the sport.

In addition to her work supporting riders and competitions, she is an accomplished breeder with a base in the UK. Her efforts focus on strengthening British breeding through developing her own stallions, promoting the AES studbook, as well as advancing the education and success of young horses.

“It is an honour to be recognised by British Showjumping. Our mission with Al Shira’aa has always been to elevate the sport and support riders in reaching their highest potential, wherever in the world they may be,” said Sheikha Fatima.

The Al Shira’aa team had a good showing at the competition. Photo: Al Shira’aa
The Al Shira’aa team had a good showing at the competition. Photo: Al Shira’aa

This year also marked a milestone for the Al Shira’aa Tour – a series of show jumping events largely held in the UAE – with the addition of the historic CSIO5* King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead. First held in 1911, the Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious Grands Prix in the showjumping calendar.

Al Shira’aa's team enjoyed a good showing at the event. Omar Al Marzooqi, riding Enjoy De La Mure, finished second with a double clear only 0.86 seconds behind the winner, while Abdulla Al Marri, on BBS McGreggor, secured sixth place.

This recognition from British Showjumping highlights Sheikha Fatima’s impact on the sport in the UK and reflects the growing collaboration between the UAE and international showjumping. The Al Shira’aa Tour will return to Hickstead for the Young Horse Championships before heading to the Turnier der Sieger at Munster Castle in Germany for the CSI4* from August 21 to 24.

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Updated: July 31, 2025, 8:27 AM