It's lucky 13!

Shakhoora Riding Centre started Friday morning off with an in-house Show Jumping event, writes Helen Blake.

The first class was a 'Newcomer Clear Round' which was not only open to new riders but also new or green horses. A veteran in experience, though young in years, Oscar Lauri expertly steered Shiraz in his first show around the obstacles, doing so well the pair proceeded to compete in the next class.

The second class was another 'clear round' event with the fences raised to 90/100cms. Ellen Goode astride Maranello was among the contestants in this class; she went on to claim fifth place in the last class of the day.

The finale geared up to a Speed Class, and the competition was fierce. Bethany Clarke, with the extremely dexterous Starly, actually made the fastest time around the course, but an unfortunate four faults resulted in third place for the pair, being beaten by Sara Al Mutawa astride, as always the gorgeous, Bart, who in turn was pipped at the post by Valerie Puls, who superbly manoeuvred Pippa into the top podium position.

Carmen Lauri brought more prizes back home, as she cleverly negotiated the twists and turns of the course bringing Mystery into fourth place, just ahead of Maranello and Ellen Goode.

Next was the 4pm event at the Dilmun Stables and with it being Friday the 13th there was speculation that the assistant judge Danielle Shaw might deliver more than a points' verdict. She was one day overdue to give birth, however, the baby decided he was happy to stay put for the duration of the show.

The event was sponsored by Al Ammadi, the trophies up for grabs were fantastic, instantly shoving any superstitions firmly to the back of everyone's mind as they became focused on winning and taking home these amazing prizes.

This is now the third to last show of the league and competition remains intense as it is still possible for the leaders Kathryn and Hamad to be toppled from their current positions. No pressure all round then!

The event started out with Green horse/rider Clear Round, two riders went clear this week - Hamad Almalki and Leon, and Holly MacPhail making her debut in the league with Skippy.

Kathryn Spink proficiently guided the skilful Spirit into first place in her first class of the day, Junior One. She also claimed third with Billy in the same class, and kept the prizes coming as she secured 6th place with Spirit in Junior Two.

However, it seems the one to watch out for is Tamara Alomary. After navigating Skippy into a comfortable second place in Junior One she claimed the top two podium positions in Junior Two on Skippy and Kuwait respectively.

Aimee Keen and Gabby Chakkos maintained their respective third and fourth positions in the league. The show brought Gabi Scopes up in the ratings placed fourth on Billy in Junior One. The pair went on to pick up fifth in Junior Two; the results now bring her into joint fifth with Hannah van der Eyken.

In the senior section, Hamad Kakhrawi is riding high with three wins, claiming first and second places in Adult One with Kuwait and Mia Vita respectively.

Hamad then took Mia Vita splendidly into second place in Adult Two. He is now a clear 14 points in the lead and whilst it's still possible to depose him, he's safe and sound, for now!

It's the middle section of the adult/senior league that is really interesting with only one point between them all. Battle will commence again shortly for Andrea Gowdy, Sharon Nicklin and Fran Downes, who are currently second, third and fourth respectively.

Fran, back on the winning track, took Lollypopp Man into the fray with third place in the Adult Two class, a sure sign of things to come, so watch out ladies.

Another one to watch is Fahad Aldosseri who rode exceptionally well this week bringing Tayar to the podium in third place in Adult One, the pair victorious in Adult Two and winning with style.

This week Aurora Ihalainen came into her own taking fifth and sixth places in Junior One. Making a comeback, Liz Sinclair rode her favourite mare Inca into fourth place in Adult One, along with a name we are sure to hear more of - Louise O'Nolan - astride Pastiche riding off with sixth place in the same class, not forgetting Hamad Almalki riding the lovely Tess scooping fifth.

A special mention this week goes to Charlotte Gunby and Coco, an especially stubborn pony who Charlotte worked with extremely hard for many months, so it was especially lovely to see all her hard work pay off when the pair succeeded in their second clear in Green Horse recently.

Charlotte has the opportunity to now ride Kuwait in shows, yet she still asks for Coco - a reminder to us all its not always about winning, sometimes it's simply just taking part that is triumph enough.

That said, we are all eagerly awaiting the results/outcome of the next Dilmun league show to be held on Friday. Contact the Dilmun Stables on 17693766 or email them at stables@dilmun-club.com for more details.

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

DILMUN STABLES RESULTS

Green Class Clear Rounds: Hamad Almalki on Leon, Holly MacPhail on Skippy (in her first show of the league).

Junior One: 1st Kathryn Spink on Spirit, 2nd Tamara Alomary on Skippy, 3rd Kathryn Spink on Billy, 4th Gabi Scopes on Billy, 5th Aurora Ihalainen on Tess, 6th Aurora Ihalainen on Nelson.

Junior Two: 1st Tamara Alomary on Skippy, 2nd Tamara Alomary on Kuwait, 3rd Gabby Chakkos on Tashan, 4th Aimee Keen on Sedona, 5th Gabi Scopes on Billy, 6th Kathryn Spink on Spirit

Adult One: 1st Hamad Fakhrawi on Kuwait, 2nd Hamad Fakhrawi on Mia Vita, 3rd Fahad Aldosseri on Tayar, 4th Liz Sinclair on Inca, 5th Hamad Almalki on Tess, 6th Louise O'Nolan on Pastiche.

Adult Two: 1st Fahad Aldosseri on Tayar, 2nd Hamad Fakhrawi on Mia Vita, 3rd Fran Downes on Lollypopp Man.

Top five in each category

Juniors: 1st Kathryn Spink 60, 2nd Tamara Alomary 54, 3rd Aimee Keen 44, 4th Gabby Chakkos 33, 5th Hannah Van Der Eyken and Gabi Scopes 23.

Adults: 1st Hamad Fakhrawi 45, 2nd Andrea Gowdy 31, 3rd Sharon Nicklin 30, 4th Fran Downes 29, 5th Jenna Blakeley and Fahad Aldosseri 22.