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Bright and early Friday morning saw the usual hustle and bustle of pre-show preparations at Twin Palms Riding Centre with horses being washed and cleaned, tack being polished and people in their whites eager to begin the day, writes Helen Blake.
The Working Equitation class is dressage with a difference. There are obstacles throughout the course and the challenge is to manoeuvre your horse or pony around these in the correct order and manner as written in the test.
There were two tests sections, an A and B. The A features twists and turns of barrels followed by poles on the ground of various shapes.
All sorts of tactics had to be employed by the riders to get their mounts into the box and out again without touching the sides. The final exercise in this test was to dismount and lead out.
The B section was a little trickier. It incorporated a small obstacle course which had to be jumped in two different directions, and again the poise and technique involved in this was judged and then there were again poles on the ground and barrels to be negotiated.
It was a brilliant way to introduce young riders and green horses to dressage, particularly going into a competition arena and remaining calm and controlled. All those who entered appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves and are looking forward to the next event.
Shakhoora also held its first in-house event of the season - a Mounted Showing Event, with horse and rider being judged on turnout.
This was another great event for the weekend with riders enthusiastically getting their horses prepared, buffed and shining.
Shakhoora owner Samia Al Saffar said the judging was exceptionally hard as everyone had made such an amazing effort.
The stable's now added another event to its activities for next month. On November 26 it will stage a 'Dressage to Music'. The tests have been set - preliminary and novice - for juniors and adults.
Prior to this show on Saturday, November 20, Shakhoora will hold a workshop to advise and discuss how best to put music to the challenge depending on the horse, its gait and pace and will also offer advice on how to ride the test.
Anyone wanting more information about either of these events or the Hunter Jumping Class Show on November 12 should call 17591103.
Email Helen with your horse stories on helen2blake@hotmail.com
RESULTS
Twin Palms Riding Centre Dressage Competition
Working Equitation A for Juniors: 1 Rachel Enaux riding Eid, 2 Luna Dreyer Riding Pearl, 3 Paola Conseco riding India, 4 Marie Enaux riding Lord, 5 Florence Finzi riding ToyBoy, 6 Harrison Blake riding Ruby.
Working Equitation A for Seniors: 1 Idrak Al Aquel riding Aramis, 2 Helen Blake riding Apollo, 3 Lydia Martin riding Tuxedo, 4 Lydia Martin riding Woody.
Working Equitation B Mixed for Juniors & Adults: 1 Florence Finzi riding MissPrint, 2 Idrak Al Aquel riding Aramis, 3 Helen Blake riding Apollo, 4 Lydia Martin riding Tuxedo, 5 Lydia Martin riding Woody, 6 Sue Parker riding Poncho.
Best Turned Out: Lucy Lunt Bell and Red.
Shakhoora Riding Centre Mounted Showing Competition
Juniors: 1 Bethany Clarke/Starley, 2 Anna Goode/Mystery, 3 Ellen Goode/Maranello, 4 Ishika Goptha/Caftan.
Adults: 1 Yulia Frolova/Dream, 2 Trish Fryer/Asgoodasgold, 3 Pascale Benhlima/Shiraz, 3 Sara Al Mutawa/Bart, 4 Dana Al Ansari/Special, 4 Zain Al Thawadi/Glasur, 5 Fatima J /Shakhoora Soho
