Show jumping in the rain

Despite the steady rainfall and the arena looking like a swimming pool, riders showed up in good cheer for the BREEF’s Dilmunia Show jumping Championship last Friday.

The juniors, adorned in rain gear, were walking the course at 9am with their instructors. They looked excited to be competing despite it being very cold and the ground very muddy.

The first class was the juniors 80-90cm one round with jump off class. The competition was tough with not even a second separating the top three. But it was the talented Maayof Al Romaihi, on his seasoned horse Granus, who claimed first place with a time of 28.2. In second place was Ali Hani Al Yabis on Ajzal with a time of 28.85, while Ahmed Essa on Kalalambo took third place.

It was a nerve-racking class for all the mums and dads were watching from the stands as their children rode their trusted horses through the mud and rain.

The second class had fences raised to 95-105cm and was an Accumulator. These classes are always very exciting as the last fence, the joker, is always 10cm higher than the rest. This gives the riders a chance to test their horses and their own nerves.

Each fence has points with one point of the first, two for the second and so on until the joker where that fence has double the number of points. Whoever has the most points and the fastest time wins. Junior rider Maayof again stole victory on his trusted steed, Granus, with 65 points and a time of 50.88.

The podium places was a repeat of the first class with Ali Hani second on Ajzal with 65 points and a time of 53.88 and Ahmed third on Kalalambo, with 65 points and a time of 56.44.

Next up was the first of the three adult competitions. This class was a height of 90-100cm and a speed class. Despite the terrible weather conditions, over 30 competitors took to the arena and 11 came out with clear rounds.

Top rider Ali Essa proved the conditions were no match for his skill and determination as he claimed first and second place. With the black gelding Athletico he had a very fast round with a time of 47.14 for first place; and on HorsePride Ravissante for second place with a time of 49.4. Bassim Mahdi took third place on the beautiful Estrella Al Wardi with a time of 52.92.

In adult 2 the fences were raised to 105-115cm and was a two-phase competition. Ali Essa again claimed a double, but this time first and third place. With the gelding, DilmunAirforce One, Essa skillfully made tight turns putting him four seconds faster than the rider in second place – Abbas Yousif on Indorado in a time of 32. Ali Essa on Barelo took to the podium again for his fourth trophy of the day. With only three clear rounds it proved to be a tough one!

Adult 3 was the last and most exciting class. With the rain still pouring down and the arena a muddy mess, we watched as master course designer Mohammad Dadulla and his team moved the fences to the safest possible places to keep rider and horse from injury. With the fences raised to 120-130cm and being a one round with jump-off, all the spectators were on the edge of their seats.

Out of 13 riders, only Sami Ghazwan, riding the stunning mare Fairooz, and Basel Al Dosari, on Cantaccino Al Fateh, came out with clear rounds in the first outing. Course designer Dadulla then raised the fences again. Ghazwan and Al Dosari took to the arena the final battle it out for the win and it was the former who clinched victory by clearing all the fences yet again.

It was amazing to watch. Fairooz jumped with grace and beauty as Ghazwan piloted her through the difficult course. Ali Essa took home his fifth trophy of the day by securing third place on Elcaro Van Papinglo Horse Pride.

It will be a show to remember. With rain in the background and mud at their feet, the riders of Bahrain showed us they are a force to be reckoned with.

Results
Junior 1
1. Maayof Al Romaihi/ Granus
2. Ali Hani Al Yabis/ Ajzal
3. Ahmed Essa/ Kalalambo
4. Saif Dwaik/ Lucy Al Fateh
5. Ali Hani Al Yabis/ Armin
6. Ahmed Essa/ Guardian
Junior 2
1. Maayof Al Romaihi/ Granus
2. Ali Hani Al Yabis/ Ajzal
3. Ahmed Essa/ Kalalambo
4. Ali Hani Al Yabis/ Armin
5. Saif Dwaik/ Lucy Al Fateh
6. Ahmed Essa/ Guardian
Adult 1
1. Ali Essa/ Athletico
2. Ali Essa/ Ravissante Horse Pride
3. Bassim Mahdi/ Estrella Al Wardi
4. Sadiq Abbas/ Grivin
5. Hassan Jaffar/ Flame
6. Ahmed Al Alawi/ Tayson 2
Adult 2
1. Ali Essa/ Dilmun Airforce One
2. Abbas Yousif/ Indorado
3. Ali Essa/ Barelo
4. Ammar Mohammad/ Colin
5. Jalal Jafferi/ Lavino
6. Salman Faraj/ My Precious
Adult 3
1. Sami Ghazwan/ Fairooz
2. Basel Al Dosari/ Cantacino Al Fateh
3. Ali Essa/ Elcaro Van Papinglo Horse Pride
4. Abbas Yousif/ Indorado
5. Mohammad Al Jahromi/ Dory AKJC
6. Salman Faraj/ My Precious

Upcoming events

The Al Maha Stables will be hosting a show on Saturday with four classes. There is a total prize money of BD1,230. All are invited. Entries must be submitted by tomorrow. For more information, call 36888077.

The Dilmun Stables is running a pony camp until tomorrow from 10am-noon. The cost is BD10 for non-members and BD8 for members and includes lunch and entry into the Dilmun Club. For more information, call 33309972.

The Dilmun Stables will resume its Pony Club on Sunday. To reserve a spot, call 33309972.