Keeping it in the family

WOW, what a fantastic day Friday turned out to be at the Twin Palms Riding Centre’s Fun Show Jumping event, writes Helen Blake.

Riders, spectators and horses alike had a blast with mini explosions of energy on display in the show jumping arena.
The day started off with a Treasure Hunt and it would seem everyone wanted that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because more than 20 horses and riders took part.

Less experienced members of the class stuck to the smaller fences and trotting poles, while the veterans tried to work out which of these fences held claim to the highest points – but they all gave up and just went in and jumped whatever they could.

Based on luck, this proved to be a fabulous class for gaining confidence and experience, or just as a warm-up. 
Jamiea Haseid, Maya Shaban and  Agnees Bernard-Maisse showcased their riding skills brilliantly.

Virginie Dreyer started her day by winning this event. Separated by a mere five points Keshia Smith with feisty Candy was close on her heels, and Baris Ural rode Prince valiantly into third place. 

Another one of the youngsters who was determined to keep it in the family for the whole of this event, was Luna Dreyer (Virginie’s daughter) who claimed fourth position with Red. Maggie Andersson’s return from her recent trip saw her extremely happy to be back competing with Banjo and joined Dawood Salman and Sky to take joint fifth.

Next up was the Pairs competition. Earlier in the week the sign-up sheet had looked bare! Then, as if from nowhere, 18 pairs were  ready and chomping at the bit to enter.

When riders came out of the arena, all they wanted to do was go again! Well, you could go again here, but it was decided that a maximum of twice on the same horse was the order of the day – you could always ride another horse though!
 
There were thrills and spills and a fair number of eliminations. Rider one has to jump fence one, then rider one has to wait until rider two has jumped fence one before continuing to fence two. This proved too much of a challenge for some, as fences two and three were a related distance and once the horse had jumped fence two it was game on for three, stopping to wait for your partner at this point really wasn’t an option!  

For many it was very frustrating to be eliminated so early in the round, though it all served to make riders more determined to have another go.
 
Husband and wife, Stephane and Virginie Dreyer partnered in this class and were doing brilliantly until Stephane had a close encounter with the planks, Virginie mistaking it for a refusal, jumped it – ooops, wrong fence!

Baris Ural and Prince were resolute after their first round resulted in elimination. Paired with the lovely Lydia Martin and Woody they flew round, though by now things were really heating up.

Pairs came into the arena single-mindedly to do better than before and win.
 
Muslim and Bailey paired with Rania Hanbali and Bingo to complete the course in a very fast 51.03 seconds, but a determined Manon Cote and Sirocco with Mariella Forward and Dollar put in an awesome round, beating the current leaders,  it was such a close competition.
 
Then just as everyone was thinking that was it – out came the big guns. Alysha McPherson, on a visit from Qatar, brought the infamous Zar out of retirement to take to the arena, and paired with the other largest horse of the day, Stephane Dreyer’s Angel. They went in and everyone took cover! 

Whilst both horses are huge they are extremely nimble, making turns that no other had managed, whilst covering the ground at breakneck speed.

The pair emerged triumphant in a time of 43.09 seconds beating the previous time by six seconds – almost a lifetime in a pair’s competition!

The final class of the morning was an Accumulator Class with a Joker. With fences up to 100cms, everyone watched carefully as a huge three-barrel pyramid was erected as the imposing Joker Ö Ha! Ha! NOT funny. Course creator Anki Holmstrom was not content with the scary joker, she also produced a double dose of dog-leg turns and a set of very scary planks to challenge the competitors.
 
The class started with a dozen brave contenders. First into the arena was Rania Hanbali and Bingo – they did superbly, with no faults, magnificently clearing the Joker and getting maximum points in a brilliant time of 109.45.

This gave everyone the time and standard to beat, though her success was short-lived as a determined Muslim Ali with Bailey came in and put his horse into top gear. With dexterous twists and turns they cleared the course in an amazing time of 55.58 seconds!

Despite everyone else’s best efforts – and many riders / horses in the class produced fabulous rounds – Muslim remained the winner.

And, although Rania’s standard was hard to beat she was also piped by Manon Cote riding Sirocco, with both succumbing to the mighty Angel and Stephane Dreyer, who cleared the course in 58.65.  It was obviously a Dreyer day as the family won or were placed in every class and usually more than once.

This leaves everyone ready and waiting for the next Twixstead event scheduled for, March 16 with a 10am start.
 
*Last week I received many lovely emails and text messages in respect of my note to my old horse Merlin. I’d like to say a big thank you everyone, they were really appreciated. I would also like to say if you have anything you would like to write to me about – if you think there is a story to be had – I’d love to hear it. Send your equine news to helen2blake@hotmail.com

SHAKHOORA Riding Stables will be holding a lecture/clinic on Saturday from 10.15am to 11.30am at its stables in Saar.  The event will focus on riding theory and cover aspects such as rider’s position. Starting off with the aids for basic riding it will move on to more advanced levels of riding, such as shoulder-in, travers, half pass, counter canter, demi-pirouette and lengthening strides in the different gaits. To book your place or get more information contact Shakhoora Stables on 17591103. 

THE Dilmun Riding Stables cancelled its show last week so the seventh of its In-House Show Jumping League Events will take place on Friday at 10am. The show promises to be an action-packed and enjoyable day out for horses and riders alike.

With young Aimee Keen streaking ahead in the junior section of the league, the peggings are much closer in the adults’ competition.