Nail-biting experience

This coming Friday will see the start of the final run-up of shows in the thrilling Dilmun Show Jumping League with only three left on the calendar.

The penultimate show will be held on June 10 and the nail-biting final is scheduled for June 24.

With all to ride for the tension behind the scenes and in the stables is intensifying. Kathryn Spink, previously a clear 10 points ahead of Tamara Alomary, has to maintain her winning streak this weekend as Tamara now has the winner’s podium clearly in view, and seems determined to claim it for her own.

Tamara does have her own challengers with Aimee Keen and Gabby Chakos, also determined to change the ratings, with 10 points between second, third and fourth place, a nicely placed win, coupled with a few good placings would certainly put a horseshoe in the works.

Hannah van der Eyken and Gabbi Scopes are currently joint fifth ... but all that could change after Friday.

Hamad Fakhrawi may be thinking it’s time to rest on his laurels or haunches with his clear lead of 14 points in the adult section but, the competition is not over yet. The determined Dilmun ladies may well be on a mission to oust him from his current throne.

Andrea Gowdy, Sharon Nicklin and Fran Downes are themselves only one point apart, offering all the encouragement they need to shake the order of standing. Currently in joint 5th place for the adults are Jenna Blakeley and Fahad Aldosseri – both are equally determined to change the current leaderboard. If you have the time to pop along to the Dilmun Stables call 17693766 or email the organisers at stables@dilmun-club.com for more details.

Meanwhile, Twin Palms Riding Centre and Al Jazeera Stables hosted their sixth show of this year last weekend. The event was held for riders of all abilities, starting off with a Green Horse Rider Clear Round class. The line-up of ‘never yet ridden in a show’ riders was evident as nerves were apparent. However, all riders and horses performed brilliantly.

Paula Conseco took Redd into the fray for the first time, doing so well until an unfortunate four faults at the last robbed her of a rosette.

Debbie Kamal followed with her first appearance in a competitive arena, surpassing herself by claiming one of the only three clear bounds of the afternoon, her smile as she left the ring simply said it all.

The only other two clear rounds of the afternoon came from Keisha Smith as she competently steered Fred round the course, alongside Anina Bernhardt who put an exceptionally well-behaved Luna through his paces.

There were also debuts from Harrison Blake (go Harri go!) taking MissPrint into their first ever show jumping event. The pair completed the course beautifully, however an unlucky stop meant a well done instead of a clear round for Harrison.

Laya Abdul Jawad, who took to the fray with Dollar, had such a good round she was impatient to get back in the ring and performed beautifully in the next class too. Rachel Enaux took to the arena astride Ayax. The pair did exceptionally well, again riding in both classes, alongside Anina who now on her second mount of the afternoon, tried her hand with Aztec.

Although these parings did not manage to claim a clear round, all riders and horses performed superbly.

In the second class of the afternoon, even with the fences raised, Debbie Kamal, with her new found confidence, brought Aztec back into the arena to perform superbly.

She was the first rider to gain a clear round in the class which put her first into the jump-off, certainly a nail-biting experience. Debbie’s determination was evident though as she took home second place. The class was won by Sayed Mohammed AlAlawi with his new mount Bin Maktur.

The pair performing outstandingly in the first round and that form continued in the jump-off where risk taking and tight turns paid off. With only five of the original riders in the jump-off, it was an epic mistake never before made that took Dawood Salman’s prize from him ... jumping the fence the wrong way round!

However, it was good news for Keisha Smith who steered the mighty Fred through the first round, into the jump-off, snagging fourth place. Anina Bernhardt with Aztec performed a faultless first round (Aztec only just one second behind himself) to be the hero of the afternoon, taking home third prize.

The final class saw the fences take a jump up to 115cms as the evening drew in. This class showcased the rider’s equestrian skills.

After several rounds it was the stunning Sondos ridden by Sadik Abbas who totally stole the show and the class. Fahad with his beautiful new mare Reyka, were the only other pair to go clear in this technicallychallenging course. Sayed with Bin Maktur deserves another mention as the pair narrowly missed being placed.

As the evening drew to a close there were many happy riders and horses going home carrying prizes ... as for Debbie, she is still smiling.