Too Hot To Trot

Twin Palms Riding Centre held an in-house show jumping on Friday with the first two classes a simple one round with jump off.

In class one over a dozen took to the arena. Although the course appeared easy it managed to thwart many a valiant rider and only a handful made it to jump off.
 
A seriously nifty performance by Jamiela Haseid riding Nafa ensured her first prize, followed by Audrey Maingot astride Onyx, with Hussain Jamali, in his first show jumping event, taking third place.

The second class raised the stakes as well as the fences. Forward thinking was necessary in the jump off with some tight turns to be made. The very capable Loki managed to clinch the deal in this class, with runner-up Adrienne Morrison on Onyx. Joint third place went to Debbie Kamal with Aztec and Elaine Galbraith with Brave Knave.

Debbie, making a comeback after a two-year break following a knee injury, was on flying form. The final class of two rounds with faults added and timed saw Debbie and Aztec proudly take first place, followed by Helen and Loki, with Luna Dreyer riding Calypso taking third.

This was a brilliant start to the Twin Palms Riding Centre season. It will be followed by dressage events, show jumping and gymkhanas, plus undoubtedly the hugely-popular Twixstead. Watch this space for more information.

Last Saturday heralded many a prestigious event and the triathlon road closures certainly made it a challenge to actually get horses and riders to the BREEF Show Jumping Championships at the BDF Equestrian Ground in Sakir, however, the intrepid competitors made it.

The majority of riders went clear into jump off during Class One, with fences at 80/90cms, but only two managed a double clear. Hussain Mohammed Dadulla clinched both first and fourth positions on My Baby and The Lost respectively, and Ahmed Isa took both runner-up and third position on Leys and Al Jazeera Mobiley.

Junior Two, a two phase class of 90/100cms, was more demanding and only three of the 14 competitors carried on into the jump off. Mayoof Al Rumaihi executed a lovely round with Granus to take top spot, Hussain Mohammed Dadulla with Winning Mood was runner-up and third was Charlotte Gunby, astride Boeing.

In the first adult class, a one round with jump off, witnessed15 of 40 riders clear into jump off, though only two riders made the magical double clear. Muslim Ali with Horse Pride Emiley took top podium position followed by Jerry Taylor riding Arko. In third place was Mohamed Jassim with Al Yabes.

In the second adult class, another two phase challange, 10 continued through to jump off and with double clear rounds it came down to speed. Sami Ghazwan with the brilliant Abdulla won the class in a time of 23.25secs, just pipping Abbas Al Ghuraifi in 23.94secs. Fahad Jamal Taqi skilfully steered Reyca into third position with a double clear in a time of 24.30secs.

Final class of the day, the Grand Prix, a one round with jump off had fences raised to 110/125cms. Fifteen pairs warmed up, and it proved to be a tough challenge. Only six pairs went spectacularly into the jump off. Although Sami Ghazwan had the fastest time astride his talented mare Fairooz to take the runners-up spot, it was the huge scope of Lavino who simply popped over these huge fences at the end to give his rider Ali Al Tahoo a double clear to win the coveted Grand Prix trophy. Taking third was Salman Faraj with My Precious.

For your diary

Sheikh Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club
At Al Rafah Sakir every Friday starting at 2pm. Don’t forget to get your glad rags on and go to the racing for a fantastic afternoon of entertainment for all the family, with extra attractions for everyone.  Entrance is free, racing starts at 2pm.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation Show Jumping Championship
Venue:  BDF Equestrian Centre, Sakhir on Saturday 27 December starting at 9am.