Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain (December 17, 2010) – Ten horses and eight riders braved a 16-hour plane ride to the Middle East this November to present the King of Bahrain with a demonstration of classical dressage. King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa staged the Bahrain Animal Production Show this month and brought in the Lipizzaner Stallion Show as the headliner. Also known as the Mara’ee, the agricultural show featured animal trainers, breeders and performers from around the world.

Holly Johnson, a marketing associate for JRPR, Inc, was one of the eight riders to perform in Bahrain. The 23-year-old joined the tour immediately after graduating from the University of Miami in May of 2009, and was thrilled to be asked to ride overseas. Johnson works as a marketing associate for Johnny Robb Public Relations (JRPR), an equestrian focused PR firm based in Wellington, Florida.

“Bahrain was quite an experience. We had to ride the stallions through hordes of people, as well as past camels, goats, donkeys and Arabian horses in full traditional dress. But the stallions are used to intimidating situations and were very well behaved, for the most part,” Johnson added with a laugh. “It was also wonderful to see all of the Lipizzans again since you get so attached to them when you’re all traveling and showing on the road.”

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