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Both the Dilmun Stables and Twin Palms Riding Centre hosted in-house equestrian events last weekend, writes Helen Blake.

The Dilmun Stables staged its sixth league show, and in keeping with recent events, it was moved once more to a 9am start. As the weather is getting hotter, all the classes, apart from the Green Horse Clear Round were speed classes.

Friday saw an excellent turn-out, with many riders keen to move up the league table.

A valiant effort by Andrea Gowdy, who had been suffering with tonsillitis, decided that despite still feeling extremely poorly she would try to defend her title surge.

She came in sixth place in Adult 1 and second place in Adult 2, maintaining her lead on 29 points in the adult section of the league.

Another milestone was reached on Friday for young Aurora Ihalainen as she clinched 6th place in the Junior 1 class. This has firmly placed her on the league table in the junior section.

The Junior leader board however appears to have been secured by Kathryn Spink who raised her points on Friday to 47, a clear lead of 13 points. That will take some beating!

Not so close on her hooves, but close enough together to mean the action remains exciting and anything could happen is Aimee Keen (34) Tamara Alomari (33) and Gabby Chakkos (29). The next show for them could mean a complete change around. Young Hannah van der Eyken is still hanging in there in fifth place with 19 points.

In the adult section of the league Friday's show changed the placings completely for Hamad Fakhrawi who shot up in the ranking, and now holds second place with 26 points. Sharon Nicklin maintains third place after being placed in both the adult classes.

Jenna Blakeley lost her place to Hamad and now resides in fourth position on 22 points. Also staunchly maintaining her fifth position is Fran Downes on 20 points.

In the classes, Hamad Fakhrawi with Tess, and Louise O'Nolan astride Pastiche, gained clear rounds in the green horse class. Moving onto Junior 1, Kathryn claimed both first on Sprit and fifth on Billy.

Nelson performed brilliantly for both Gabby Chakkos, bringing her home to second place and a sixth for Aurora Ihalainen.

Skippy excelled himself diving into fourth and fifth place with Tamara Alomari and Sami Mendes respectfully. Skippy went on with Tamara to claim victory in Junior 2.

Adult 1 witnessed Basel AlDossari take the first of his four placings of the day, both first and second on Spirit and Kuwait, he followed this with first and third on Kuwait and Sprit in Adult 2.

Hamed Fakhrawi also starred by claiming three prizes, third and fourth on Tashan and Kuwait in Adult 1, and fourth in Adult 2 with MiaVita.

Sharon Nicklin had a double fifth - firstly on Billy, in Adult 1 and then with Mia Vita in Adult 2.

Junior 2 brought Gabbi Scopes into the placings with a fabulous second on Porphyry, followed by Aimee Keen and Sedona.

An exciting and happy day was had by all, and it leaves everyone anxious for the next show on April 15.

Twin Palms Riding Centre held the second of its in-house Dressage Shows on Friday, and as usual the stable was teeming with activity from the early hours with riders washing, brushing, plaiting and pulling wherever you looked.

Now that our resident tack and turn-out winner has left for the UK, it meant everyone pulled out the stops to show their horses in a pristine condition.

For this week it was Dee Long with the fabulous Chesham that took the judges by storm, getting straight A*s for her efforts. Both looked absolutely beautiful.

Young Anina Bernhardt brought herself and Luna into the fray, to claim the prize in the junior section.

The excitement was at fever pitch for the Working Equitation A. This class means horse and rider have to manoeuvre round and in and out of obstacles, very tricky!

However, it was the youngest rider of the day who triumphed as Weiling Morris brought the trophy home on MissPrint, Chantel Gromm rode Candy into second and Ruby into fifth.

Anina Bernhardt claimed the first of her successes of the day - third on Luna, following by winning the Working Equitation B class.

Keisha Smith, pulled her first of three placings out of the bag, taking fourth on Candy in Working Equitation A, followed by fourth and fifth on Apollo and Candy in the B class.

Luna Dreyer steered Pearl into sixth place in A and followed that with second place in B. Mariella Norwood, took third place on ToyBoy in class B. Well done kids, you all did brilliantly. It was a tough competition.

Preliminary A also started at 9am, another big class. Following her second place at the previous show it was Dana Zubari astride Eid who rode the winning test, though close was Virginie Dreyer astride a never ridden before Jasper.

Bianca Gromm, with the delightful Sabah, took third position in his very first dressage test, followed respectively by Maggie Andersoon and Banjo.

Lydia Martin, after a shaky start with her first horse, had an impressive round with Woody, and Nina Owen steered a strikingly handsome Otto into sixth.

Preliminary B witnessed another placing with Virginie and Jasper as they claimed third. Maggie, against stiff competition, brought Banjo into fourth, while Idrak Alaquel started her winning streak taking Ayax into second, though it was Kat Rushton and Duke who took the podium position.

Moving onto the Novice test, Idraq brought Ecco into the arena and glory, followed by Yvonne Addison and The Chief, with Kat and Duke in third. Kate Addison, brought the family success to three in this class and clinched both fourth and fifth place on FineArt and Onyx respectively.

The Elementary test saw Idraq take home the rest of her prizes for the day, claiming first with Ecco - just piping Yvonne and The Chief who came second. Idraq finished off her day with a third on Fine Art.

All-in-all, a really great day for everyone.

The next show, date to be announced, will no doubt bring out more competitive spirit.

Contact Helen Blake with your equine news by emailing helen2blake@hotmail.com

Results

DILMUN SHOW JUMPING LEAGUE

Clear Rounds: Louise O'Nolan on Pastiche and Hamad Fakhrawi on Tess

Junior 1:1st Kathryn Spink / Spirit; 2nd Gabby Chakkos / Nelson; 3rd Tamara Alomari / Skippy; 4th Sami Mendes / Skippy; 5th Aurora Ihalainen / Nelson.

Junior 2: 1st Tamara Alomary / Skippy; 2nd Gabbi Scopes / Porphyry; 3rd Kathryn Spink / Spirit; 4th Aimee Keen / Sedona.

Adult 1: 1st Basel Aldossari / Spirit; 2nd Basel Aldossari / Kuwait; 3rd Hamad Fakhrawi / Tashan; 4th Hamad Fakhrawi / Kuwait; 5th Sharon Nicklin / Billy; 6th Andrea Gowdy / Tashan.

Adult 2: 1st Basel Aldossari / Kuwait; 2nd Andrea Gowdy / Kuwait; 3rdBasel Aldossari / Spirit; 4th Hamad Fakhrawi / Mia Vita; 5th Sharon Nicklin / Mia Vita.

TOP 5 CONTENDERS

Juniors: 1st Kathryn Spink 47 points; 2nd Aimee Keen (34); 3rd Tamara Alomary (33); 4th Gabby Chakkos (29); 5th Hannah van der Eyken (19).

Adults: 1st Andrea Gowdy (29); 2nd Hamad Fakhrawi (26); 3rd Sharon Nicklin (25); 4th Jenna Blakeley (22); 5th Fran Downes (20).

TWIN PALMS RIDING CENTRE DRESSAGE SHOW

Working Equitation A: 1st Weiling Morris / MissPrint; 2nd Chantel Gromm / Candy; 3rd Anina Bernhardt / Luna; 4th Keisha Smith / Candy; 5th Chantal Gromm / Ruby; 6th Luna Dreyer / Pearl.

Working Equitation B: 1st Anina Bernhardt / Luna; 2nd Luna Dreyer / Pearl.