Riders brave the weather

THERE was a chilly 4pm start to Friday’s Dilmun Stables fourth-of-the-season Show Jumping League Event, sponsored by Al Dar Island, although, all said and done, the weather did not deter the competitors.

Green Horse/Rider Clear Round class saw only one rider successfully complete the course. It was a brilliant round by St Christopher’s schoolgirl Charlotte Gunby riding Magnum.

Unfortunately, the Dilmun lost top rider Melanie Spink as a competitor due to an injury sustained during a practice lesson two days earlier. However, Mel is resolute that she will be back for the next show in the New Year.
 
The Junior 1 class consisted of nine fences with a triple and a double combination to contend with as well as being against the clock!
The tough course saw three riders eliminated. But young Aimee Keen proved consistent in her winning streak this week, skilfully manoeuvring the lovely Sedona into first place. 

Rival Hannah van der Eyken took the first of her day’s rosettes home in this class after a cleverly calculated round put her with the charming Nelson into third position.
 
Charlotte Gunby and Magnum were back in the arena to continue their earlier triumph and claimed fourth position.
 
Ma’oof Al Rumaihi, now firmly up with the leaders, produced a truly excellent round with Skippy taking home second place. Skippy appeared to enjoy every minute of his day as he and Tamara Alomary also claimed fifth spot.

Junior 2 class was a real test for both rider and horse with one round with jump-off. The class had 10 fences, with a double set of triple combination fences. 

The course proved extremely challenging and of the five riders entering the class, four were eliminated.  However, some extremely skilful riding meant that Van der Eyken was able to claim her second victory of the day and take home the winner’s trophy after an excellent round on the talented Billy.

Adult 1 class featured the same course as the Junior 1 although the fences were raised. Again, the class was timed, so the rider with fastest round and least faults would win. 

The four successes in this class all rode exceptional rounds, with the top three having a mere 12 seconds differential between them.

Hamad Fakhrawi riding the fabulous Tashan was fastest in 35 seconds, just piping Fahad Aldosseri with Tayar coming in second in 38 seconds. Close on their hooves was Danielle Shaw with the magnificent Rangerino taking third place in 43 seconds and Fran Downes accomplished fourth position with the lovely Lolly, in a mean time of 57 seconds.

These four riders went on to steal the show in the final Adult 2 class, again over the same fences as Junior 2 – just higher.

However, let us not forget what a technically-challenging course this was with its two triple combinations to correctly execute.

This time Shaw with Rangerino took the top podium position. Hot on her heels was Aldosseri and Tayar. Fakhrawi, riding his second mount of the day, the usually unstoppable Kuwait, pulled in third position. Downes, determined to maintain their riding success, guided Lolly round the course to finish fourth.

The next show to be staged on January 6 will start at 2pm and hopefully the weather will be a little warmer.

Results

Clear Round:
Charlotte Gunby / Magnum.
Junior One:
1 Aimee Keen / Sedona, 2 Ma’oof Al Rumaihi / Skippy, 3 Hannah Van Der Eyken / Nelson, 4 Charlotte Gunby / Magnum, 5 Tamara Alomary / Skippy.
Junior Two:
Hannah van der Eyken / Billy.
Adult One:
1 Hamad Fakhrawi / Tashan, 2 Fahad Aldosseri / Tayar, 3 Danielle Shaw / Rangerino, 4 Fran Downes / LollyPopp Mann.
Adult Two:
1 Danielle Shaw / Rangerino, 2 Fahad Aldosseri / Tayar, 3 Hamad Fakhrawi / Kuwait, 4 Fran Downes / LollyPopp Mann.

Dilmun Show Jumping league leaders:
Juniors:
1.Aimee Keen
2.Hannah Van Der Eyken
3.Tamara Alomary
4.Charlotte Gunby
5.Sammi Mendis
6.Ma’oof Al Rumaihi
Adults:
1. Hamad Fakhrawi
2. Fahad Aldosseri
3. Manal Fakhrawi
4.Danielle Shaw
5.Fran Downes
6.Andrew Scopes