Too hot to trot

Even a torrential downpour the previous night failed to dampen the spirits of the many entrants eager to participate in Sahara Riding Centre’s first show jumping competition this season.
The course, designed by Hussain Al Musawi, was ready for walking even through the mud at 8.30am for the first Junior 1 class.

A fine turnout of 16 juniors took to the arena to tackle the first round of fences set at 60/70cm. Taking top podium position in this event was Kate Addison, astride the handsome Chief. Georgia Sims, riding the talented Tutu, took runners-up position with third place going to Hussain Mohammed Dadulla who rode a beautiful round on Murheeb.

The second class, Junior 2, attracted the same number of entrants and the fences were now raised to 70/80cm.

Riding a lovely round Georgia Sims clinched a second podium position with Tutu, this time winning the class. Maoof Al Rumaihi, riding the lovely Zain Al Butal, came in second and Kate Addison on The Chief came third.

The Adult 1 class followed with fences raised to 80/90cm and 40 riders in the fray. The first part of the course was straightforward, but riders needed to have their horses in hand once into the jump-off section.

To win this class strategic risks had to be taken. Joint winners were Muslim Ali astride his trusting and honest Bailey, and Basel Al Dossari who had taken a quick turn with the clever Tashan. Runner-up in this class was event organiser Ahmed Akbar riding his lovely horse Ashgar 1, and the only lady in this line up, Sharon Nicklin, who rode a lovely double clear with the capable Tayar, took home fourth prize.

In the penultimate Adult 2 class, fences were raised to 100/110cm. The course proved to be much harder and thwarted many of the 15 horse/rider combinations. Ali Essa brilliantly steered the stunning Ashgar clear to claim top podium position and first prize.

Whilst the courses were being adjusted and rebuilt, stable owner Abel Quassim  brought out his fabulous dressage horses and performed movements to music to entertain the spectators.

It also allowed spectators to see some of the most beautiful Arabian horses from the stable. These were simply stunning animals, some pure perfection.

The final event of the day was a Puissance class. Competitors had to clear the ever-rising fences and only two refusals were allowed.

Abbas Al Ghuraifi with Champagne, Basel Al Dossari with Tashan and Ali Essa with Ashgar took up the challenge with the fence at 100cm. All cleared with ease, but when moved up to 120cm both Basel and Ali knocked the fence and were eliminated.

Abbas had to go clear and, ever the showman, he did exactly that, dropping his reins just before the fence and with arms outstretched flew over the fence and claimed the win.

Neither Ali nor Basel could really believe it was all over, so in true puissance spirit, the competition continued, although unofficially.

The fence, now at 120cm, was cleared effortlessly by both Basel and Ali on their second attempt, so slowly this fence was raised 10cm at a time.

When the fence stood at 150cm Basel was out although Abbas and Ali cleared it. The fence was put up to its maximum height of 160cm.

Impossible? Not for the fabulous Champagne or Ashgar as both horses cleared this enormous fence bringing the day to a momentous close.

Results
Junior 1: 1st Kate Addison/ The Chief, 2nd Georgia Sims/ Tutu, 3rd Hussain Mohammed Dadulla/ Murheeb, 4th Maoof Al Rumaihi/ Zain Al Butal, 5th Ali Ashoor/ Barak, 6th Aimee Keen/ Rio.
Junior 2: 1st Georgia Sims/ Tutu, 2nd Maoof Al Rumaihi/ Zain Al Butal, 3rd Kate Addison/ The Chief, 4th Ali Ashoor/ Mambrino, 5th Ali Hani Alyabis/ Aljazzaf, 6th Aimee Keen/ Billy.
Adult 1: 1st Muslim Ali/ Bailey & Basel Al Dossari/ Tashan, 3rd Ahmed Akbar/ Ashgar, 4th Sharon Nicklin/ Tayar, 5th Abbas Al Ghuraifi/ Champagne, 6th Hussain Al Bosta/ Pistachia.
Adult 2: 1st Ali Essa/ Ashgar, 2nd Ahmed Alalawi/ Contechino, 3rd Ali Essa/ Mobaily, 4th Hussain AlBosta/ Pistachia, 5th Basel Al Dossari/ Tashan, 6th Muslim Ali/ Luca.
Puissance winner – Abbas Al Ghuraifi riding Champagne

This coming Friday, starting at 2pm, Twin Palms Riding Centre will host a Show Jumping Training Day Event for Juniors and Adults.
There will be three classes:
Class 1: Green Horse Style & Technique Clear Round, fences will be 50/60cm – horse and rider will have to complete a clear round and will be judged on style and technique.
Class 2: Clear Round – Two Phase Class with fences 80cm max, if horse and rider go clear over the first course of fences they will immediately go into a timed jump-off.
Class 3: Clear Round – Two Phase Class with fences 100cm max, class criteria as above.
Entries need to be submitted by 6pm today either by visiting the stable office or emailing Twin.Palms.Riding.Centre@hotmail.com 

*The BREEF is also set to be hosting another show jumping event in Saar on Friday, however, at time of going to press, no schedule has been released.