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On a glorious Friday with beautiful sunshine and a cool breeze, the Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Show Jumping Championship was staged at the BDF Equestrian Centre in Sakhir.
The junior classes provided a double win for rider Mayoof Al Romaihi on his champion horse Granus.
In the first class – a one round with jump-off and a height of 80-95cm – Mayoof and Granus showed their determination with a lightning-fast time of 24.06 seconds and two clear rounds. Close on his heels was Ahmed Essa on the beautiful grey gelding Alaska with a time of 25.15. Capturing third place was Georgia Sim on Luvly Jubbly with a time of 28.36.
The second junior class quickly got underway and was an accumulator. Fences were at a height of 95-105cm, with a scary joker fence of 115cm worth double points.
The riders could choose to double their points on this fence by jumping the joker or they could achieve the normal eight points by jumping the smaller height. Again, claiming the victory was Mayoof on Granus with a fast round of 46.97. Capturing second place was rider and photographer Saif Dwaik on Lucy Al Fateh in 52.16, while third place went to Ali Hani Al Yabis on Armin with a time of 55.3.
After a relaxing break the adult classes started. Adult One was an accumulator with heights of 90-100cm and a joker of 115cm. This popular class attracted 38 competitors.
With the fastest time and 44 points, seasoned rider Ali Essa on Horse Pride Ravissante snatched the top spot. Next up was rider Eyad Ahmed on Athletico with a time of 42.05 and 44 points as well, while third place was grabbed by Sadiq Abbas on Grivin with a time of 45.20 and 44 points. It was a great day for Hawar Stables and trainer Ali Essa as the top five places went to his riders in this class.
In the Adult 2 class, 32 competitors were in the fray. It was a two-phase contest with heights of 105-115cm. Seasoned veteran Sami Ghazwan, on his new mare Miss Adary, took first place with a time of 30 as they left all the other competitors in their wake.
In second place was Mohammad Al Jahromi on AKJC Evelyn with a time of 33.57. Al Jahromi hasn’t been competing for long but is already making an impression. BDF rider Ahmed Mansoor, on the gigantic Edward Du Sud, claimed third place with a time of 33.73.
The last Adult 3 class was a special Grand Prix event with heights of 120-130cm. All riders are given the chance to do two rounds despite any faults they may have accumulated during the first round.
The course was designed by master course builder, Mohammad Dadulla, and proved to be a technical challenge as the first round saw only two clear rounds.
It was exciting to watch as the last three fences were right in front of the stadium with the spectators up close.
The triple combination proved to be the most difficult as this was where most riders picked up faults. Shaikh Abudulla Al Khalifa, on his feisty mare Venus, proved up to the task and stole the show by not only having a clear round in the first but also the fastest time in the second round.
He took Venus around the course with precision and professionalism and came out victorious. He also captured fifth place with his stunning grey gelding Salah El Dine.
In second place was veteran rider Sami Ghazwan on Miss Adary, claiming his second trophy of the day, third place went to Basel Al Dosari on Al Fateh Cantacino and he also took fourth place on Al Fateh Chica.
On probably the most beautiful day of the year so far it was an amazing show and ‘thank you’ to BREEF for hosting such a wonderful event.
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