THE cost of buying a horse and stabling it can often prove prohibitive for many equestrian enthusiasts.

But leasing a pony or horse can make it all the more possible and it also allows parents, who will be putting their hands in their pockets to cover the expense, the opportunity to ensure their child is fully committed.

Two passionate horse lovers at the Dilmun Stables have recently joined forces to make their dreams come true, namely Georgia Sim, 13, (known as Georgia Scottish) and Georgia Sims, 12, (known as Georgia English).

Two months ago the best friends, hence the nicknames Scottish and English to avoid confusion, took over the lease of one of the stable’s owner’s horses, a Grey Arab called Tutu.

Georgia English started riding at the Dilmun Stables two years ago, after being introduced to the facility by last season’s Junior League winner Aimee Keen.

Like many thrill-seeking children, she is a jumping fanatic and having competed in one show last year, started this season in the Green Class and in the upcoming show this Friday will have progressed into the Junior One Class.

Georgia Sims has been riding for a couple of years both in Bahrain and the UK where she competed in dressage events. At the Dilmun she has started this season in her first jumping shows, in the Green Class.

As with most young enthusiasts, they both admire Mary King, one of the British eventing team, also known to many people as an eventing queen.

Georgia Scottish hopes one day to compete at Badminton and Georgia English has her eye on gold and would love to make it into the UK Olympic team.

Carina Abdulrahman, the Dilly’s stable manager and instructor, explained: "The girls decided to start leasing a horse to have an introduction to getting their own.

"Georgia Scottish is planning to buy her own horse next year, so sharing a horse seemed an ideal situation. The girls have been working very hard, sharing their riding days, but both will be down to help each other, spend time pampering and giving Tutu TLC.

"Tutu needs a lot of exercise, and the girls have been doing a fantastic job, not only being mummies to him, but helping at the stables, with pony club, exercising horses and generally fitting into the stable’s family life.

"As with every horse, Tutu is a character – he isn’t the most sociable with the four-legged stable friends, and is occasionally a bit of a grump. But what he seems to lack in sociability he makes up with in jumping ability. Both girls love riding him!"

It can cost anything between BD70-160 a-month to lease a horse with veterinary and shoeing costs extra, and share-leasing cuts the cost in two.