Festive games and activities

Chip n Ride came to Saar last week with a visit by a professional team to Twin Palms Riding Centre and other surrounding stables as part of a nationwide move to microchip every horse and pony in the kingdom, as highlighted on the front page of last week's GulfWeekly.

The visit went exceptionally well, the team efficiently and courteously, took blood from each and every horse, pony and foal and inserted an identification electronic microchip, a number collaborating with the blood taken.

The bar-coded sticker giving the microchip number is then inserted into the animal's passport. The team will visit all stables on the island, a huge task ... but with co-operation from all parties the experience will not be arduous and the results beneficial to us all.

Twin Palms Riding Centre held its annual Christmas Gymkhana on Saturday. It proved to be a huge success and was organised by some of the younger members of the stable, namely Florence Finzi, Rania Kamal and Mhairi Boyle who were seen busily rushing around decorating horses and paddocks with tinsel prior to the event.

There were approximately 25 children eager to start the games. They were put into their festive teams - The Running Reindeers, Santa's Super Elves and the Totally Terrific Snowmen. Their decorated mounts consisted of Redd, Ruby, Dollar, Eid, Pearl, Kookie, India, Jasmine and Lime.

The afternoon started off with Chasing Santa Round the Chimneys - barrel racing with a difference. This was followed by Toss the Present - young contenders had to take a present and riding back through the barrels put it under the tree or into the bucket.

This was swiftly followed by Elf Apple Bobbing, the Hot Potato Race, the Mince Pie and Spoon Race and the Santa Sack Race. The final pony race of the day was the Walk and Trot to Santa's Grotto.

After a long day the ponies, happy they received some apples, were put away whilst children, eager to see if Santa himself was going to make an appearance, ran off some excess energy with a Christmas Carol Musical Barrels. Just as this game was brought to a close, the sound of reindeer bells could be heard.

Santa (was actually the name of the reindeer (aka horse!) bringing Father Christmas to the occasion. The children all received an individual horsey gift from Santa and finished off the fun-filled afternoon with some unique Christmas-style burgers and hot dogs.

Everyone went home feeling just that little bit more touched by the festive spirit.

We are all very much looking forward to the Dilmun Riding Centre's Christmas Rodeo on Friday starting at 9am. It sounds like one fun event.

With Christmas firmly in our sights, perhaps readers may be wondering what to get their horse-mad child, husband or wife ... or even their very own special horse or pony.

Why don't you pay a visit to one of the many equestrian shops on the island? Things To Do and Horse Pride along with Arabian Horse are all situated on the Budaiya Highway and have lots of stock of fabulous horse-related gifts ... and if you are undecided maybe you can pick up a voucher from one of the shops so the horse fanatic in your life can go and choose something special themselves.