Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Let me start off briefly with the BREEF (Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation) show jumping that was held last Friday at the Mounted Police Centre in Budaiya.
Thankfully, it was a fabulous day - the weather starting to turn distinctly winter-like, with rain on the previous day!
There were seven classes starting off with a mixed 'green horse/rider' clear round. This is a competition to allow new horses and riders to enter at a lower level and get used to competing.
This is especially pertinent at the police ground where, unlike the majority of stables in Bahrain, the jumping is done on grass.
Jumping on grass is completely different to that of jumping on sand, and for many horses and riders it comes as a huge surprise.
On sand the horse will dig down on take-off. However, on grass, the effect is a bit like that of a small springboard - and spring some certainly do. So this particular class is excellent grounding (excuse the pun!) for horse and rider alike.
You may remember from last week a few who were making their debut in this particular class. Fran Downes bringing LollypopMan for his first appearance sailed around the course. Lucy Lunt Bell's introduction to these events on Dakota resulted in a resounding clear, and Rania Hanbali and Bingo making a double debut, rode brilliantly. Well done all of you.
The rest of the day went on to produce some truly exceptional riding from all the competitors.
The next BREEF event is the National Day Show Jumping Championship on December 11.
BREEF Show Jumping Championship winners
Class 1 Green Horse for Juniors & Seniors: Kat Rushton riding Drummer
Class 2 Junior C: Rania AlRashoodi riding Nafa
Class 3 Senior C: Abdul Aziz Mayoof Al Rumaihi riding Grannus
Class 4 Junior B: Laura Wilkie riding Bushiya
Class 5 Senior B: Abbas Isa Mohamed Husain riding Eurocommerce Balisano
Classes 6 & 7 Senior A: Ali Essa Ali Jawad riding Al Khalidiah Aberdeen Road
