Off to a flying start

Welcome back to Too Hot to Trot. Well, the season opener was no easy ride for the competitors of the Dilmun Riding Stables Show Jumping League.

Back, after last year’s overwhelming success, the league made a flying start, quite literally!

Eleven rusty riders took to the fray expecting a nice gentle start to the season only to be faced with a series of challenging and technically-demanding courses designed and planned by Basel Aldosseri.

It meant the riders had to seriously keep their wits about them.

Unfortunately this inaugural show was missing some of its usual suspects with Kat Spink, Hamad Fakhrawi and Sharon Nicklin all sporting brutal injuries – horse related, of course! I am told all are eagerly trying to be fit to compete in the next show.

Newcomers to the league were Charlotte Gunby with her horse Magnum, alongside another talented rider Bruna. In the adult section Danielle Shaw made her debut riding Tashan, now firmly a contender after being a spectator last season prior to the birth of her baby daughter.

The event started with Green Horse/Rider class – an ideal challenge for newcomers as well as being a brilliant warm-up for rusty riders – though rules are rules and three clears put you into the league proper!

Clear rounds in this class went to Gunby, Aimee Keen, Sammy Mendes and Andrea Gowdy.

The Junior One class became a two-horse race with Sammy & Tutu, challenging Aimee & Sedona, though it was Aimee who took the trophy home after Sammy had a pole down in the jump-off. Adult One, another technically clever course, saw four riders clear to the jump off.

Manal Fakhrawi, standing in for her injured brother, astride Kuwait was the only one who went clear; close on her hooves Fran Downes & Lollypoppmann taking second place, with Andrea Gowdy steering Tashan to a respectable third place (Andrea now lives in Dubai and returned specifically to participate in this event). Andrew Scopes rode Porphyry to fourth position, with Fahad Aldosseri bringing Tayar into fifth.

The Junior & Adult Two Class is a single round against the clock, with the fences raised to add to the test of stamina and technique.

Aimee kept up her winning streak, despite the wonderfully entertaining attempt of Hannah van der Eyken with Billy who had to settle for second place.

The Adult Class was again dominated by the unstoppable duo of Manal paired with Kuwait, though a valiant effort was made by Fahad manoeuvring Tayar into second place. A thoroughly enjoyable day and a fantastic start to the season, with new and old alike very much looking forward to the next show scheduled for October 21.

This season Twin Palms Riding Centre is set to revive and resurrect its own in-house league, with a difference.

It aims to find the best all-round riders in adult and junior sections and will encompass a variety of disciplines including, of course, show jumping and dressage. There will also be showing events, gymkhana events, possibly even a cross country (well, across the paddock!) to name but a few of the challenges proposed.

The league is aimed at all riders of all levels and there will be numerous awards on offer. The aim is to acknowledge the variance between riders as Twin Palms has wonderful dressage riders who simply don’t like to jump, and vice versa.

I can see competition becoming fierce and look forward to seeing the best turned out dressage riders and show jumpers doing gymkhana races!

The league will start with a Show Jumping Event on October 21. It will be an introductory fun competition with something for everyone – especially those that have not actually gone over a pole on the ground since June!

On October 28, an inaugural Dressage Competition will include classes from the popular Working Equitation to advanced Elementary Level. Show timings will be announced next week and spectators and supporters are more than welcome to attend.

Twin Palms also brought riders together this week with the first of its Tuesday Quiz Nights with fabulous cooking by Cynthia.

So, the season is getting geared for a multitude of wonderful events and even though outside competitions are still not allowed it is obviously not going to deter the spirits of the equestrian community from enjoying their sport or their horses.

Please let me know of any forthcoming events your stable will be hosting. Happy riding and enjoy this wonderful weather.