I've just come back from a fam trip to Dubai with a group of UK travel agents. Our mission was to discover that there's more to the city than huge hotels, sun and shopping.
For our first challenge, we tried our hand at clay pigeon shooting at the Jebel Ali hotel. I discovered I had a hidden talent, getting five out of ten (with a little help from the instructor). Here's the overall winner, Lucy from Flight Centre.
The next day we visited the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Centre, which is home to beautiful horses used for polo, jumping and riding. One of the instructors, Marion Wichmann (pictured), told the group about the effects of the ubiquitous construction work on the club and its members. A new road means members have to drive 5km to cross the street.
She also told us about the problem of wealthy Emiratis who buy horses as a status symbol, but don't know how to ride or care for them properly. Some of these horses end up at the club where the team nurses them back to health.
Next up, the agents donned their helmets and riding chaps for a spot of camel polo. The camels, which are owned by ground handling agents Gulf Ventures, live mainly in the desert and are brought to the polo club when booked by a group. They were all very friendly and gentle, apart from one who decided he'd had enough and ran back to his truck.
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