AS Spring arrives there has been the sound of tiny hooves at Al Jazira Stable, which is just so lovely especially in light of recent sad events.
The stable welcomes three new foals, and they are all totally adorable. I spotted a little inquisitive and delightful bay baby colt out having a fabulous time with his mum.
There was also an amazing skewbald colt and a totally delectable baby filly whose colouring was simply incredible.
They are all marvels in their own right ... proving the wonder of nature.
As Easter nears, Twin Palms Riding Centre has brought out its holiday camp schedules - this time, with a difference.
There will be a regular one-day camp on Wednesday, April 20, covering all the basic aspects of pony care, stable management, tack care and upkeep, general knowledge and safety and confidence in and around the ponies and yard. The camp includes an hour group riding lesson and lunch.
During the following week there will be a four-day course culminating in an equitation competition, prize-giving and certification presentation for those who successfully complete it.
Day 1: Correct handling of ponies, safety awareness around the stable and ponies and confidence building.
Basic stable management, which will include the correct way of catching ponies from the field and handling them in the stable, correct use of grooming materials, correct grooming and tacking-up/un-tacking. The lesson will include group flatwork or dressage, followed by learning how to correctly put ponies and materials away.
Day 2: Recap of first day, progression to unassisted catching, grooming and tacking up, of allocated pony. Moving onto use of boots, bandages, correct bathing/showering after riding lesson.
Stable management theory lesson, which will include care, points (parts) and needs of the pony, terms and general knowledge. Learning parts of the bridle and their use, correctly disassembling, cleaning and re-assembling. The lesson for this day will be a jumping - although those that do not wish to jump do not have to!
Day 3: Recap of previous two days, followed by Equitation Competition theory lesson, which includes arena layout, movements to be performed, position of rider, riding safety within arena/show environment.
The lesson will be practice for the equitation competition. Theory/stable management will include all aspects of show preparation.
Day 4: Recap, then practical and written tests to confirm knowledge learnt over previous three days.
Ponies and riders will then prepare for a final practice, then perform an equitation competition. The day/course will finish with a prize giving ceremony and certification presentation for all those whom successfully complete all four days.
This promises to be incredibly popular and above all, great fun.
Twin Palms Riding Centre's Easter Pony Camp/Course takes place from Monday, April 25 to Thursday, April 28.
For more information or to book places contact Twin Palms Riding Centre by calling 39566809, or email
Twin.Palms.Riding.Centre@hotmail.com, or check out the website
www.twinpalmsridingcentre.com Twin Palms Riding Centre will finish the Easter holidays with an evening Dressage Show, to be held on Thursday, April, 28, from 4pm.
All information regarding the show can be found on the website. The show will encompass Working Equitation A & B, Preliminary A & B, a Novice and Elementary Tests.
ON Friday the Dilmun Riding Stables will host its seventh Show Jumping League Event, starting at 9am.
Although it would appear there is not much hope of any of the juniors catching up with Kathryn Spink ... you never know, there are another five shows to go until the end of the league! With a very determined Aimee Keen, Tamara Alomary and Gabby Chakkos all vying for that top spot Kathryn will have to keep on her toes.
In the adult section there are only three points between 1st and 2nd places and only a total of nine points between 1st and 5th place, so there are plenty of chances for the positions to move about.
Hopefully Andrea is now back to full fighting fitness this week and will undoubtedly be eager to maintain her premium position.
