Overwhelming success

THE Twin Palms Riding Centre Open Day Extravaganza was an overwhelming success with riders, horses and spectators alike all thoroughly enjoying the event, writes Helen Blake.

Activities were in full swing very early on Friday, with vendors making sure their stalls were ready for the crowds of spectactors. Nina Owen, for example, was one of the many up at the crack of dawn to make cakes and also act as the face painting artist.
 
Debbie Kamal, running a colouring competition alongside a ‘Guess The Camel’s Name’ contest, was so well organised she even found time to go and do a bit of show jumping!

Jan Hodgson was seen running from pillar to post as she prepared the bric-a-brac and book stalls and Angie Salman acting as the stables’ official photographer of the day.

Busy from the wee hours, Cynthia maintained the stamina of all stall holders, riders and spectators as she manned the coffee shop with mouth watering goodies to eat and drink.

Lis Young was left in charge of the cake stall, positively groaning under the weight of all the delectable delicacies.

However, the morning’s most popular stand was the Tombola and Bran Tub stall run by Yvonne Addison, ably-assisted by Harrison Blake. Inundated from the start they completely sold out in just three hours. During the event, free pony rides were offered in the shaded paddock area, keeping instructor Martine Smith a very busy lady indeed.
 
The proceedings started promptly at 9am with a Show Jumping display. More than a dozen pairs went into the arena to show off their skills. Laura Bradley took Tuxedo round – one of the first times this horse has been in a competition for a long time – and it just reminded him how much he loved it. Dawood Salman took Luna expertly round the courses, Debbie Kamal’s new-found passion for jumping put Aztec through his paces, before going back to manage her stall. 

The other riders and horses in this display were taking advantage of the show jumping to warm up for other events on the agenda.

Next came Puissance Jumping, where competitors jumped a single fence. Those who cleared went into the next round. It was a process of elimination, the horse jumping the highest would win. Taking part in this demonstration were Stephane Dreyer riding Angel and Rania Al Rashoodi who rode Nafa, a local bred horse who has a panache for jumping. Completing the trio of talent was Ali Essa riding show jumper UUP. 

The fence started off reasonably at approximately 80cms and was raised by approximately 10cms at every round.

It was edge of your seat action, as this fence got higher and higher, with gasps from the enthralled crowd as the final fence stood at 1m 50cms.

Ali Essa and UUP cleared the daunting fence and the spectators were ecstatic. Whilst it was only a demonstration, there definitely was no lack of competitive spirit. Well done to all, a fabulous display.

After the puissance, events took a slightly quieter turn as six horses and riders came into the arena to perform a quadrille demonstration.  The three pairs of horses and riders executed a dressage routine to music, all working in unison.

Lead pairs taking part in the quadrille were Anki Holmstrom, owner and principal instructor of Twin Palms, riding Bond and Anne Koheji, experienced veteran rider as well as actress, rode Fine Art. Following on from the leaders was Kat Rushton with Duke. He’s a fabulous dressage horse whose paces and movements are simply marvellous to watch. 

Kat paired with another lovely, proficient and gracious rider Virigine Dreyer, with her horse Athos, an Australian 3-day eventer. This pair has taken the stable by storm with a partnership going from strength to strength. 

Following last was me, riding Loki. Loki’s love is jumping but his dressage performances recently have been stupendous. We were lucky enough to be paired with the accomplished and skilful talents of Idrak Alaquel with her equestrian partner Ecco, a gifted horse in all disciplines.
 
These six horses and riders carried out a beautiful display, showing how horses and riders can work in unison, incorporating complex precise manoeuvres. This performance was picture perfect.

Next to enthral and entertain the crowds was a cowboy display. Two fine young cowboys came into the arena to strut their stuff, bringing the lovely Ayax out of his usual school horse comfort zone to show off his more hidden talent ... and loving every moment of it. Usually a quiet controlled horse he certainly amazed everyone with his prowess.

Lesley Taylor, had the crowd in awe next, dressed in traditional Arabian regalia she wowed everyone with her absolutely stunning horse, showing how exquisite both horse and rider can look. No wonder tales of magnificent Arabians adorning gorgeous regalia are rife in history, you only had to look at this pair to understand exactly why.

A Medieval touch then came to the proceedings in the form of Knights of the Round Table. Anina Bernhardt, aka the Black Knight, astride the striking Onyx, rode into the arena and following her into fray, Mariella Forward, the Red Knight, arrived with Dollar.

An intense jousting battle ensued and despite the Red Knight’s best efforts the Black Knight was victorious and galloped off with the prized fair maiden. However, it is rumoured the Red Knight is already plotting vengeance!

Speed, coupled with proficient expertise is the name of the Gymkhana game. Four lovely young riders demonstrated their skills. Manon Cote took the Australian Sirocco into new realms of riding that he  took to it like a duck to water, Rania Hanbali brought another Australian into some very British traditions – Banjo thoroughly enjoyed himself. Lucy Lunt Bell showed the Arabian Rakard some new tricks and Keisha Smith brought the ex-racehorse Apollo into a totally new stratosphere.

Fun, laughter, excitement all rolled into one – it is what gymkhanas are all about.

The penultimate performance came from Anki Holmstrom and Jazz. This is another of Anki’s favourite horses, a chestnut mare. She is renowned for being feisty, but acknowledged as a multi-talented performer. She is also a favourite amongst all riders as a truly fabulous all rounder, however, her love for Anki is apparent. The pair performed a lunging /long rein demonstration with meticulous accuracy. Fluid in movement it was poetry in motion to watch, a beautiful and elegant way to bring the morning’s performances towards the finale – a wonderland Fancy Dress on horseback parade.

A host of inspirational creations were put on show by the young riders. Bella Rushton and Anae Dreyer were cheerleaders and Anae, who had been perfecting her skills of standing on their pony Lime in the final line up, beautifully balanced.
 
Wei Ling & Jasmine Morris bejewelled in full oriental elegance Japanese-style adorning Ruby with art in keeping with the colourful costume.  

There was the absolutely wonderful pony Aramis literally covered in colourful flowers with Amani and Aya adding a real splash of pizzazz to the parade.

Joshua and Harrison Blake were almost unrecognisable under their scary masks, as was Lord as the Nightmare Halloween Pony.
 
Maya Shaban and Luna Dreyer portrayed beautiful ballerinas with Baron festooned in ribbons and lace, with Maya showing the balancing skills of the younger riders as she stood on her pony in the final line up.
 
There were, of course, princesses involved in the parade with Eva and Margaux simply stunning, showing off their jewel of the day, Pearl.

The whole parade was magnificent and a wonderful close to the displays.

For details contact Twin Palms Riding Centre on 39566809, email: twin.palms.riding.centre@hotmail.com or visit the website: www.twinpalmsridingcentre.com