Galloping ahead

I have a lot to tell you about show jumping events this week, so I will kick on!

First on the agenda is the BREEF - Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation Show Jumping Championships on Friday from 9am at the Mounted Police Centre in Budaiya. There will be seven classes from Junior / Adult clear round over 70/80cms to Grand Prix, a two-round competition over 120/130cms.

Twin Palms Riding Centre held an In House Show Jumping Challenge aimed at encouraging those who have not participated in a competition to try it out at 'home', and to start off the younger members in their careers. For two TPRC youngsters, Lucy Lunt Bell, riding Dakota and Rania Hanbali riding Bingo, the confidence and experience they gained has encouraged both to enter the BREEF show on Friday. Good Luck girls. The show was also successful in bringing several youngsters into the ring that had never seen a show jumping course, and left them anxiously awaiting their next chance to jump.

Champion of the day was Kate Addison and The Chief, having had a really nasty fall at their last outing; it was more to test the waters that Kate decided to enter the event. The Chief, however, certainly proved that he was not one to let a fall keep him down.

They came in second place in Horse and Hound, Kate was narrowly beaten by Natasha Park on Lucia. It was the next class, the Pairs, that really got The Chief on a roll. In this class two horses and riders jump the same course in the fastest time possible. Kate and The Chief, with various partners, took first, second and third places!

With victory under her belt, Kate opted out of Gamblers Choice - each fence is designated with points, the rider can jump any fence; the more the points the harder the jump.

Aislin Cote was the winner on Rakard with the most points and in the fastest time over a tough course.

The final class was 4 Bar Jumping ... four fences in a row, that increased with height each round. The class should have been renamed 'who dares wins' as the final fence was raised to 140cms! It was Kate and The Chief alongside Mahesh Amritlal and Pascal who, after beating tough competition, were left in the fray.

In the final round it was Mahesh and Pascal who cleared all the fences in awesome style, The Chief clear on his second attempt, put Mahesh and Pascal onto the podium.