The Dilmun Riding Stables hosted its end-of-season in-house dressage event, running two British tests, Preliminary 1 and Novice 21.
A lovely afternoon’s entertainment saw returning veteran Lisa Powick take the winner’s podium in the Preliminary class, astride Tayar. Georgia Sim and the very Luvly Jubly took top place in the Novice class. 
The Dilmun Riding Stables’ popular house trainer and competitor, Basel Al Dossari, is a familiar face on the island’s equestrian scene.
He proudly shared a photograph taken as he was congratulated by His Majesty King Hamad at the recent Royal Windsor Horse Show held in England, when the BDF Riding Team won the coveted Land Rover Services Cup.
Basel has spent his life with horses. Learning to ride initially at Al Salaam Stables, he started his teaching career with his own brothers. 
Basel initially rode for the King in the Royal Team, though he has travelled extensively throughout the world putting his riding skills to the test. 
Assisted by acclaimed trainers such as Herve Godnew and Patrice Del Avue, he has also worked in the UK with renowned international Three Day Event rider Julie Tew with her professional team of event horses, being trained at this time by William Fox.
Basel has been employed by the BDF as a rider for the last eight years, and currently rides alongside the team of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Khalid Al Hilal and Ahmed Mansoor. 
The team’s goal is to represent Bahrain in the forthcoming Asian Games being held this September in Korea and, to this end, the team and their horses will soon be off to France to summer camp.
Even though he may be considered by some as a jet-setter who mingles with royalty, Basel still manages to remain with his feet firmly on the ground. He never forgets his own humble beginnings and uses his spare time to help train young and up-and-coming riders every day at the Dilmun Riding Stables.
Basel is one of many Bahrainis who have excelled at the sport, and what is so endearing is not only their passion and down-to-earth attitudes, but their desire to help equine-lovers of all nationalities to achieve their potential.