Not just horsing around

This week Bahrain’s equine world loses two of its key figures.

After four years in the kingdom, Dr Simon Abbott, official veterinary surgeon at the Bahrain Equestrian and Horse Racing Club, and his wife Jenna Hacker, stable manager at Dilmun Stables, are leaving for the bright lights of Dubai.
But neither of their jobs has been filled, meaning that their absence will be sorely felt.
The couple has helped to transform the way horses are treated and riding is taught in the kingdom.
“We’ve done our stint and its time to move,” said Jenna, “Simon will be a senior veterinary surgeon at the Dubai Equine Hospital.”
Since Dr Simon – as he is known on the island – arrived in 2003, he has brought state-of-the-art veterinary equipment to the country to treat the 350 horses under his care.
“Originally we didn’t have the equipment for the 21st century treatment of horses,” he explained. “We brought in X-ray, endoscope, and ultrasound machines to examine the horses which had previously been treated in old fashioned ways.”
Dr Abbott has also mentored numerous horse trainers so that they are able to rehabilitate horses professionally.
“The Bahrainis have been great to work with,” he said. “I’ve made good friends at the track and everyone has been interested to learn.”
But the club has yet to find his replacement, something that will not be an easy task.
“We’ve tried really hard to find someone but we need someone who has treated horses in a race track setting before,” he said.
Jenna also leaves behind a legacy at the Dilmun Club Stables. Under her management the stables have been transformed.
Over the last year, immaculate air-conditioned facilities have been constructed for the stable’s 32 horses and professional instructors have been recruited.
“We’ve really turned it around,” said Jenna. “We had a mad build and it’s now a profitable organisation. There’s a big market here for professional riding stables. All our instructors are qualified and we do everything now. We have a full service livery, great grooms and we all work together as a team.”
Replacing Jenna will also be a difficult job. She has competed internationally in show-jumping and dressage competitions, worked as a show production manager for prominent equestrian personalities and has also gained a BHSI Stable Manager’s exam. 
“I was born on a horse,” she explained.
Both are excited about the future, but say that they will miss Bahrain.
“I’m going to go shopping in the Emirates Mall every day,” jokes Jenna, “but eventually I’ll find something to do with horses.”  

By -RdS-
editor@gulfweekly.com