Open day fun set

After what seemed a slow start, things are really hotting up at stables throughout the island. Pony club events are rife, with Shaikhoora Stables holding its first one of the season recently. 

This week Shaikhoora horses and riders alike are all set to host their inaugural Show Jumping event on Friday, with a dressage event later in the month.

During this half-term both the Dilmun Stables and Twin Palms Riding Centre have held Pony Camp days involving a mix of stable management, riding lessons and fun games. It is a really lovely way of encouraging beginners to take the plunge into the world of equestrian sport.

The Dilmun Stables will also be running adult beginners and stable management courses starting from Saturday. Call 17693766 for more information.

Last Friday, the Dilly decided to stage a bit of fun with a ‘Pairs ’n’ Pizza’ evening which everyone thoroughly enjoyed,
Rangerino who certainly earned his carrots at the end of the night – Amelia Boyd and her talented horse enjoyed themselves so much they were actually placed 1st to 5th – conceding only 6th place to Gabby Scopes riding Flicka and Hannah Van Der Eyken riding Nelson.
 
Amelia and Rangerino’s partners on their glorious rides to success were, in first position, Danielle Shaw riding Tashan, second with Sharon Nicklin riding Billy, third, again with Sharon but this time on Spirit, fourth with Aimee Keen riding Sedona and fifth with Hamad Fakhrawi riding Tayar. Phew!

Friday is proving to be a popular day for show jumping as it is show number three in this season’s competitive In-House Show Jumping League at the Dilmun Stables.
 
The event will follow current protocol with Green Horse Rider class to start. This could be the last time Aimee Keen / Sami Mendes can enter with already two clears under their belts. 

There will be Junior / Adult 1 and 2 classes to follow, the two previous shows have seen demanding and technical courses, challenging at this early stage of the league for riders and horses alike.

This week will see if the current leaders, Manal Fakhrawi (adult) and Aimee Keen (junior) can maintain their pole positions, or if a shakeup is the order of the day.

The Twin Palms is on track to host another of its amazing ‘open days’ on November 18. The event will run from 9am to noon.
 
The morning will commence with a show jumping display, demonstrations of various show jumping training techniques, alongside precision jumping. The display will conclude with a competition class.

Following on will be the pièce de résistance of all show jumping, a Puissance Jumping Display.

Puissance Jumping is the high jump competition of equestrian sport, puissance walls can be taller than two metres (6ft 7ins). 

Twin Palms will not be raising their fences to quite that height, however, with some outstandingly brave horse/rider duos ready to take to the fray this will certainly be a nail-biting start to the morning. It’s definitely not to be missed.

Starting with such exhilaration, what could be next? The answer ... a quadrille! This is a dressage style routine performed to music, with a minimum of four riders executing the procedure. It is precision riding at its best, horse and rider alike having practiced to perfection, will carry out complex movements in complete harmony and unison. 

Audiences will also be entranced by horses and riders in traditional Arabian costume, a cowboy performance showing off western riding skills also in full traditional regalia. A lunging presentation will demonstrate the unique synchronisation of horse/trainer and there is rumour of a princess rescue mission by gallant knights.

To keep the audience on its toes or hooves, there will also be gymkhana-style events, complete with Horse & Hound, though this will be staged with a difference. I have been sworn to secrecy – to find out more you will have to come along and see for yourself!

The morning’s events will culminate in a fancy dress parade. In previous years there have been the most amazing, innovative, original and ingenious outfits on show.

Not only will the day be witness to the most wonderful equestrian displays, there will be something for everyone, a multitude of stalls will keep mums, dads, babes, children, grandparents, friends and family alike busy, to say the least. 

There will be competitions, quizzes and games for visitors alongside a face painter, bric-a-brac sales, second hand tack and book stalls.

Tombola lovers will adore this one as there are prizes galore, and just in case anyone is suffering from the mid-morning munchies there will be stacks of scrumptious food on offer, alongside awesome home-baked cakes. 

Most importantly there will be FREE horse and pony trial rides.

With the line up of events this promises to be a highly entertaining, enjoyable day.

For more information contact Twin Palms Riding Centre on 39566809, Email: twin.palms.riding.centre@hotmai.com or visit the website: twinpalmsridingcentre.com