Too hot to trot

The weather was not the only thing warming up over the weekend as riders and horses enjoyed the heat of competition and put on a display of spectacular horse-riding skills for spectators.

Under the patronage of Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, national show jumping was held last Friday at the beautiful BDF Equestrian Centre located in Sakir.

The Grand Prix took place under the guidance of master course designer Mohammad Dadulla, who arranged all the fences in challenging order with his team before the class got underway.

The riders had to battle it out over two separate rounds with fences up to 140cm. Bahrain’s top riders warmed their horses up in the collecting arena by practicing a few jumps before heading to the main arena.

The stadium was overflowing with spectators as they watched and supported their favourite competitors in their quest for glory.

After several thrilling rounds, Sami Ghazwan, on his fabulous mare Fairooz, demonstrated true desire to win and took home the coveted first place trophy.

Fahad Taqi on his new gelding Al Fateh Fear True Bandit also showed style and grace with a much-talked about challenge and came second.

In third place was Abbas Yousif on Indorado despite producing a spectacular round. Amid all the adults, one junior rider also shone and emphasised that Bahrain has so much potential when it comes to the teen category. Hussain Dadulla, at just 17, took up the challenge in a highly-competitive field and came out a credible fourth.

The thrills and spills were a fitting end to an amazing day which started off with the juniors competing in a one round with jump-off with fences at a height of 85-95cm. Rider Nidhal Abdul Nabi on Al Maha Wabiti took home first place with a time of 31.68. Pipa Fourie on Guardian gave it her best shot and took second spot with a time of 31.80. In third place was the lovely Aimee Keen on DJ Fleur with a time of 32.72.

The juniors took to the arena with their trainers and walked out the distances for the second junior class of the day.

This was a two-phase class featuring 13 fences at heights of up to 95-105cm. Maayof Al Romaihi not only took first place with his horse Granus but also claimed second with his other mount, Mashallah. Aimee claimed her second trophy of the day by claiming third place again on DJ Fleur.

The adults quickly got underway as the sun shone bright on the next technically-challenging course.

This popular two-phase class over 13 fences attracted more than 40 entries. After the dust cleared, Ali Essa, on the beautiful Palomino gelding Dilmun Mano Kinsky, took first place with a time of 21.59. Mohammad Jassim on Horse Pride Al Yabis slid into second place in a time of 22.74, while BDF rider Mohammed Saif, on BDF Mansoor, was third in 22.89.

Adult 2 was up next. This Accumulator class featured heights up to 110-115cm and an impressive joker fence of 125cm.

Dilmun rider Yousif, on his wonderful gelding Indorado, showed his class by accumulating the highest amount of points, an impressive 44, and also having the fastest time of 34.15. Sami Ghazwan, on his new mare Miss Adary, claimed second place with a time of 34.18 and 44 points, while BDF rider Saber Salman Faraj, on BDF Bashar came third, again with 44 points, in a time of 36.56.

Results:
Junior 1
1. Nidhal Abdul Nabi/ Al Maha Wabiti/ 31.68
2. Pipa Fourie/ Guardian/ 31.80
3. Aimee Keen/ DJ Fleur/ 32.78
4. Nidhal Abdul Nabi/ Al Maha Seven Days/ 29.59
5. Maayof Al Romaihi/ Granus/ 27.33
6. Aimee Keen/ Rio/ 34.52
Junior 2
1. Maayof Al Romaihi/ Granus/ 22.69
2. Maayof Al Romaihi/ Mashallah/ 24.04
3. Aimee Keen/ Rio/ 26.92
4. Mustafa Dadulla/ Rainsong/ 35.77
5. Ahmed Al Hashili/ Horse Pride Thunderbolt/ 36.44
6. Nidhal Abdul Nabi/ Al Wassem I Trust You/ 40.33
Adult 1
1. Ali Essa/ Dilmun Mano Kinsky/ 21.59
2. Mohammed Jassim/ Horse Pride Al Yabis/ 22.74
3. Mohammed Saif/ BDF Mansoor/ 22.89
4. Hussain Dadulla/ Dilmun Arko/ 23.98
5. Ahmed Essa/ Horse Pride Kalalambo/ 24.07
6. Yousif Mousa/ BDF Sahba/ 24.12
Adult 2
1. Abbas Yousif/ Indorado/ 34.15
2. Sami Ghazwan/ Miss Adary/ 34.18
3. Saber Salman Faraj/ BDF Bashar/ 36.56
4. Kumail Al Mallah/ Fairooz/ 38.11
5. Salman Faraj/ My Precious/ 39.96
6. Salman Faraj/ Argentini/ 40.95
Adult 3
1. Sami Ghazwan/ Fairooz/ 46.29
2. Fahad Taqi/ Al Fateh Fear True Bandit/ 50.67
3. Abbas Yousif/ Indorado/ 40.77
4. Hussain Dadulla/ Dilmun Airforce One/ 44.47
5. Shk. Abdulla Al Khalifa/ BDF Venus/ 46.38
6. Saber Salman Faraj/ BDF Mansoor/ 43.27

Upcoming events

* The Dilmun Stables has started a new pony club semester. It runs for six weeks and costs BD30 for members and BD36 for non-members.

Call Jerri Taylor on 33309972 or email her at dilmunstables@gmail.com.

* Muharraq Riding Centre is hosting an ‘international reining training’ event until tomorrow.

Call Ahmed on 39858770 for further information.

* The BREEF will be hosting the Late Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa 7th National Arabian Horse Show on this coming Friday and Saturday at the BDF Equestrian Centre.

For more information, call 33744110.