Thrilling action

The weather was just perfect with a slight breeze as the Dilmun Riding Stables held the sixth show of this season’s in-house show jumping league on Friday. Riders and their horses came together to compete on the courses designed by Hussain Al Boosta.

The morning began with Green Horse/Rider class which attracted six riders with two riding HC (which stands for the French ‘hors de concours’ which means ‘out of competition’). The rider will enter in the class but despite the outcome not be placed, or in jump-off classes be entitled to go into the jump-off if they are clear in the first round.

The course consisted of eight fences with some challenging turns, which thwarted half the entrants. Melanie Spink astride Billy managed her second clear round of the season; the next time she achieves a clear round in this class Mel will have to turn her attention to the Adult 1 competition, though she could always warm up in Green riding HC.

Liz Sinclair completed her clear round with the unpredictable Inca who behaved beautifully. After an eight-month absence due to a nasty riding injury, it was a welcome return to the show jumping circuit for Kathryn Spink who took to the course with Spirit, an effortless clear round.

A mention must be made of Charlotte Gunby, one of the HC riders who practically rode the course with no stirrups, after losing them at the third fence.
 
The next two classes – Junior 1 and Adult 1 – were one round with jump-off, the course remaining with eight fences, still with tricky turns. Five juniors entered into the fray, with three managing to make it into the jump-off. Aimee Keen riding Sedona, Charlotte riding Magnum, and Maud Tinsley riding Nelson; remained consistent in the jump-off with all going clear. However, it was a speedy Sedona and some clever riding by Aimee that pipped the others at the post.
 
There were six adults in Class 1, though only two managed to complete the first round and move into the jump-off – Fran Downes and Dani Shaw with LollyPoppMan and Rangerino respectively battled it out. It was an unfortunate knock for Fran that allowed Dani to claim victory.

The final two classes of the day were designed to be much more challenging – the fences were raised significantly. There were nine fences with a complicated combination which meant horses and riders were very much on their toes/hooves!

In the junior section were Sami Mendes with Tutu, Charlotte astride Magnum, Aimee – eager to keep her winning streak going – with Sedona and Hannah van der Eyken riding Billy.

First in Sami went like the wind, giving a superb clear round and an amazing time to beat. Aimee gave it her best shot and cleared the course, but Sami had certainly done his stuff – his time 36.850 to Aimee’s 36.854.

Hannah and Charlotte both knew they had to take some risks, and they did. Sadly, Hannah, who actually completed the course in the fastest time of 36.104, knocked a fence accumulating four faults, knocking herself off the winner’s podium. Charlotte also put in a super round, but an unfortunate four faults meant fourth position for her.

Results: First - Sami Mendes, second - Aime Keen, third Hannah van der Eyken and fourth - Charlotte Gunby.

The final class of the day was Adult 2, with Dani Shaw astride Rangerino, Fran Downes with LollyPoppMan and Sharon Nicklin riding Mia Vita.

Sharon, unfortunately, didn’t make it through to the jump-off leaving Dani and Fran to go one-on-one. Though Fran completed her second round in a time of 48.147 seconds she was beaten by Dani who managed her round in 42.645.

Results: First – Dani Shaw, second – Fran Downes and third – Sharon Nicklin.
The show was a great success, leaving all riders and horses happily planning their strategy for the next event scheduled for March 2 with a 10am start.

Dilmun Stables In-House Show Jumping League standings
Top three after February 10 event.

Juniors: 1 Aimee Keen (58 points), 2 Hannah van der Eyken (36), 3 Charlotte Gunby (26).

Adults: 1 Fahad Al Dossari (42), 2  Daniella Shaw (41), 3  Hamad Fakhrawi (39).

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TWIN Palms Riding Centre will host the long-awaited Twixstead event this Friday. It is a one-day event consisting of three disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage and Cross Country.

There are two separate classes. Class A will consist of show jumping with fences approximately 50cm in height, a preliminary dressage test and then the cross country course.

Class B will consist of show jumping with fences approximately 80cm in height, a novice dressage test and the cross country course.

The morning will start with the show jumping which will run consecutively with the dressage, the final event is the cross country.

The cross country course has been designed to accommodate both the individual classes with Class A riders being able to jump slightly smaller obstacles. There is an optimum time limit on the cross country and if riders are too slow or too fast they will be penalised though the three minutes allowed for the Class B riders to complete the cross country course in does not allow much scope for being too fast, although everything is dependent on horse and rider on the day.
 
The winners will be decided by a penalty point system, the rider with the least penalty points at the end of the event will be the winner.

The event starts at 9am and all are welcome.