Too Hot To Trot

Many of the island’s top competitors took up the challenge at the weekend to compete in an open show jumping competition hosted by Twin Palms Riding Centre with new elements in place.

International instructor and show jumping competitor Mia Palles-Clark invited everyone into the arena early on Friday morning to walk the course so she could explain exactly what she was looking for in the ‘style and performance’ class.

This is the first time this class was being staged in Bahrain. It is judged on the correct riding of the competitor and performance of the horse.

Uniquely, even with a clear round and the fastest time it didn’t guarantee a rider would end up as the winner.

There were more than 40 entries in this class trying their best to come out on top. Juniors were placed separately in both classes.

After the dust settled it was Aimee Keen on DJ Fleur who stole the show. Close on her heels was Pippa Fourie on Guardian in second place with Maria on Michaela securing third.

Next up in the same class were the adults. In first place was Romy Moussallem on Cantaccino. Stephane Dryer stepped up his game and took home second on his beautiful bay mare Angel and securing the third place trophy was Lucy Lunt-Bell on Bingo.

Class 2 was an exciting accumulator with heights of 90cm-100cm with a joker of 110cm. This speed class always features one special fence called a joker that is always 10cm higher and worth double points.

Up first were the juniors who were very competitive and showed fierce determination to take home one of the beautiful trophies provided by AMA Motors. Bella Rushton claimed first place after a beautiful round on No Trix. Up on the podium again was Aimee on DJ Fleur in second place who also had a flawless round and in third came Manon Cote with her gelding Sirroco.

The adults were the last class to go and Sara Al Mutawa on Emily had a beautiful clear round putting her in first place. Visiting rider Tayseer Dweik on Buttons claimed the second spot and Fouad Rayes on Westwind took third place.

It was a well-organised show, sponsored by AMA Motors – part of the Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali Group and dealers of MAN trucks and buses.

Despite it being a very hot day all the riders braved the elements with a smile on their faces and were soon talking about the next competition.

Results:
Style and Performance – 70-80cm
Juniors
1. Aimee Keen/DJ Fleur
2. Pippa Fourie/Gaurdian
3. Maria/Michaela
4. Jassim Mohamad/Mobily
5. Georgia Simm/Luvly Jubbly
6. Mustafa Dadulla/Murheeb
Adults
1. Romy Moussallem/Cantaccino
2. Stephane Dryer/Angel
3. Lucy Lunt-Bell/Bingo
4. Adrienne Morrison/Onyx
5. Tayseer Dweik/Buttons
6. Foud Rayes/Westwind
Class 2 Accumulator – 90cm-100cm (joker 110cm)
Juniors
1. Bella Rushton/No Trix
2. Aimee Keen/DJ Fleur
3. Manon Cote/Sirroco
4. Pippa Fourie/Gaurdian
5. Georgia Simm/Luvly Jubbly
6. Qassim Abbas/Sedona
Adults
1. Sara Al Mutawa/Emily
2. Tayseer Dweik/Buttons
3. Fouad Rayes/Westwind
4. Romy Moussallem/Cantaccino
5. Jerri Taylor/Cortez
6. Stephane Dreyer/Angel

Upcoming Events

-The Dilmun Stables will be hosting a Dressage Competition on April 22, starting at 9am featuring Introductory A, Preliminary 4 and Novice 32. Tests can be purchased at Horse Pride or picked up at the Dilmun Stables office. Call 17693766 for more details or email jerritaylor72@yahoo.com

-International instructor and rider Oliver Walter will be visiting the kingdom on April 19-25. To book lessons call 34137001.

-The Dilmun Stables will be hosting an open jumping competition on April 29.

-Al Afoo Stables will be hosting a two-day Show Jumping and Dressage event. The showjumping will be staged on May 6 and dressage on May 7. All entries must be submitted to the secretary Ali Ghuloom by May 4. For more information, visit the stables’ Facebook page or call 32220272/39663424.