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The New Year started well for horse lovers at Al Jazira Stables and Twin Palms Riding Centre who jointly hosted the first in a series of in-house show jumping competitions at the weekend.
Four classes were run on Friday and these were all mixed for juniors and adults. The first three were 'clear round with jump off', still something for everyone, with fences starting at 60cms, rising to 80cms in Class 2 and for Class 3 they topped 100cms.
The final class was against the clock and the fences started at 100cms.
The first class produced 10 riders clear into jump off. For Tracey Bulger and Jasper it was a fabulous day with their double clear bringing them in third in her first jump-off situation. It was veteran Sue Parker and Poncho, consistent as usual, jumping two lovely rounds that earned them fourth place.
Bianca Gromm brought Pleasure into their introductory jump-off after a well executed first round, though an unfortunate four faults took them out of the leading line-up.
Natasha Ridley produced the first of her winners of the day steering Ayax clear, followed by Muslim Ali astride Bahama.
The second class was considerably trickier than the first. The jump-off course, with some serious twists and turns, required forward planning and dexterity. This was perfectly executed by Anne Koheji on her fabulous horse Fine Art and secured first place.
Last to go, Dawood Salman manoeuvred Loki easily around the course to second place.
Planning, however, went awry for Merlin and me, as losing a stirrup after the second fence meant my chosen course was somewhat lost, as I tried to stay onboard! However, we didn't do too badly as we finished third.
Class 3 shifted up a gear in both the height and difficulty stakes, with there being only one clear round in the jump-off from Bassem Mahde who expertly guided the talented UFO round the course to victory.
They were followed by Ahmed Al Alawi on Tornado into second and Natasha proficiently piloted Bingo round the difficult course to third. Muslim Ali's skills put Sondos and Luka into 4th and 5th place respectively.
Muslim Ali and Sondos started the final class and went brilliantly until the bogey of the day - a large flower arrangement placed under fence 4 - caught her unawares, and the mare spooked, yet went on as one of the few to clear all the fences in this class.
Ahmed Al Alawi, brought Landcorder, his first mount into the fray, and while not phased by the flowers, clipped two fences.
Angel took Stephane Dreyer very nicely round the course, but despite clearing the final fence with inches to spare, acquired prior faults.
Natasha took to the stage with Bingo in probably the biggest class of his career where he simply jumped his socks off, followed in by Ahmed with the outstanding Makela, who taking it all in her accomplished stride, was the only clear round of the class.
Bassem Mahde and UFO were on track to success when an unfortunate course error cost him the class.
Last to enter, Taleb Al Alawi and Patrezia, a magnificent mare, outperformed the field until unluckily knocking the final fence.
Al Jazira Stable and Twin Palms Riding Centre, will be hosting a second in-house show jumping event this Friday.
The day will also see the launch of the Dilmun Riding Stables 'In-House Show Jumping League' which will run until June. All shows will be run on a Friday with the entry forms available on the previous Sunday.
The league aims to encourage the competitive spirit and to give riders something to aim for, ensuring everyone is on form for when we are 'glanders free' and able to enter all our horses in open competitions.
Until then, the Dilmun alongside Twin Palms and Al Jazira, are keeping their riders and horses on their toes. Good luck to everyone competing on Friday.
RESULTS
Class 1: 1 Natasha Ridley / Ayax, 2 Muslim Ali / Bahama, 3 Tracey Bulger / Jasper, 4 Sue Parker / Poncho, 5 Mohd Mahmmod / Mohajer, 6 Helen Blake / Apollo.
Class 2: 1 Anne Koheji / Fine Art, 2 Dawood Salman / Loki, 3 Helen Blake / Merlin, 4 Florence Finzi / MissPrint, 5 Mohd Mahmmod / Mohajer, 6 Kate Addison / Onyx.
Class 3: 1 Bassem Mahde / UFO, 2 Ahmed Al Alawi / Tornado, 3 Natasha Ridley / Bingo, 4 Muslim Ali / Sondos, 5 Muslim Ali / Luka, 6 Ahmed Al Alawi / Makela.
Class 4: 1 Ahmed Al Alawi / Makela, 2 Taleb Al Alawi / Patrezia, 3 Muslim Ali / Sondos, 4 Stephane Dreyer / Angel, 5 Ahmed Al Alawi / Landcorder, 6 Natasha Ridley / Bingo.
