Too Hot To Trot

The Dilmun Stables was abuzz Friday morning as competitors from all over the island came to participate in the annual Eliminator showjumping competition.

The first class was the speed class with heights of 70-80cm. All competitors took to the arena to walk the course which was designed by master course designer Mohammad Dadulla. There were tight turns and related distances which proved to be a bit difficult. With 27 riders in the fray, only five came out with clear rounds.

Proving she had what it takes, Megan Daughtry on Murheeb took home the top prize. She had an amazingly fast round with a time of 30.85 seconds, showing the bright coloured fences didn’t bother her or her steed.

Taking home not just second but third also was the beautiful rider, Rania Hanbali on Bingo and Mandella. Taking a break from university, Rania rode two horses, showing even though she is away studying, she hasn’t forgotten how to ride for the win. It was great to watch a very competitive class with a few back from studying abroad.

Next was the annual Eliminator class in which only one person can walk away with victory. As the name suggests, all riders keep jumping until only one person goes clear. Starting out with a height of 100-110cm, everyone takes a turn. Whoever is clear will jump again. In the second round, the fences will be raised 10cm as more competitors take to the arena. A competitor can even raise a fence that has already been raised.

In the first round, all the competitors went clear but one. Ali Essa was first in the arena in the second round on Dilmun Cortez. He decided to raise fence two, taking it up to 120cm. Unfortunately, Ali tipped a pole and left the arena with four faults immediately eliminating him and Cortez.

Next up to the arena was Abbas Yousif on Indorado. He decided to raise fence 3 which put it up to 120cm as well. After a very good effort, Abbas also was eliminated with four faults as well. Next to give it a try was Mohammad Al Jaromi on Twister and he raised fence 5, which went up to 120cm.After an amazing effort, he too was eliminated with an four faults at the last fence.

Sami Ghazwan, who was next up on the beautiful Fairooz, raised fence 3 up to 140cm. Following an exciting round, Sami also got eliminated with four faults. Essa took to the area again this time on Dilmun Airforce One amd called for fence 1 to be raised up to 120cm. After skilfully steering his mount he ended up with four faults at fence 2 eliminating him from the competition.

Last to go was the young rider, Hussain Dadulla, on champion horse Dilmun Arko. Hussain told the judge to raise fence 6 up to 120cm. Hussain and Dilmun Arko carefully navigated the course taking special care at fence 3 which was at 140cm. Everyone watched, with anticipation as Hussain gracefully took Dilmun Arko over the last fence to victory! It was an amazing ride that looked both elegant and professional.

At the winners circle, a happy Hussain thanked trainer Ali Essa, sponsor (yours truly) Jerri Taylor, horse Dilmun Arko and the Dilmun Stables for a wonderful event. He took home a beautiful bronze horse trophy, a medal and BD250 cash.

Hussain also celebrated his birthday the next day and invited everyone to his father’s stables for a BBQ. It was a lovely show and a wonderful evening at Dadulla’s stable BBQ. A great demonstration of love among the horse community.

The Dilmun Stables thanked the anonymous sponsor of the show as well as the lovely volunteers, box judges Karen Boyd and Julie MacDonald and course designer and ground judge Mohammad Dadulla.

Results
70-80cm speed class:
1. Megan Daughtry on Murheeb
2. Rania Hanbali on Bingo
3. Rania Hanbali on Mandella
4. Adrienne Morrison on Onyx
5. Elais Hamza on El Toro
6. Mustafa Dadulla on Murheeb
Eliminator
1. Hussain Dadulla on Dilmun Arko

Upcoming events

The BREEF will be hosting its next showjumping event on Friday at the BDF Equestrain Centre located in Sakhir starting at 9am with the juniors.

Al Waseem Stable will be hosting a show on January 2 starting at 9am. Prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top 3 places.

The Dilmun Stables will be having a pony camp every day from 10am-noon Sunday-Thursday until December 31. Cost is BD8 per child for members and BD10 for non-members. Lunch will be provided at the club with playground facilities and club house.