Riders don party gear

The Dilmun Club Riding Stables show jumping riders of all ages shed their jodhpurs and donned their party gear for a fabulous ‘end of season presentation evening’ last Thursday.

The event was sponsored by Cluttons Real Estate, who presented 14 of the winners with trophies in recognition of their riding skills. Riders in the adults and junior categories placed first to sixth were awarded trophies, along with two more trophies for ‘most improved riders’.

Stable manager Melanie Spink thanked principal instructors Basel Aldossari and Hussein Al Boosta for teaching the riders interesting  lessons as well as the skills to achieve their goals.

One of the two ‘most improved rider’ awards went to Charlie Downes who is clearly walking or trotting in his mother Fran’s hoof prints. She claimed second place in the adult section to make a very proud mother / son combination on the night.

Claiming the other ‘most improved rider’ award was Natalie Gunby, sister of rising star Charlotte, another pair clearly keeping it in the family. Natalie and Charlotte share their superstar mount for the league, Magnum, both doing amazingly well and certainly a pair to watch out for in the future.

The Dilmun Stables also recognised their valued grooms awarding them with trophies for all their efforts and diligent work.

To finish off the ceremony was a poignant moment as young Aimee Keen presented Spink with flowers and a leaving gift. Mel, after four years of working at the Dilmun, has decided to step down as she will be spending more time travelling between Bahrain and the UK. She also hopes to have more riding time, so she can perfect her skills for next season.

The evening was also an emotional one for Fran and her son Charlie as they head to Dubai to start off a new Arabian adventure. Sadly, Fran, like many others, will be unable to get her beloved horse to join the family until the glanders ban is lifted.

We are all anxiously waiting for that ‘D-day’. Fran is currently sourcing a stable to ride in, in Dubai. Another pair who have left/leaving are the Scopes. Gabby has already left for the UK and is another one waiting for the lifting of the ban so she can have her much-loved Porphyry join her at boarding school.

Andrew, her elder brother, is off to the US to continue his studies. This year Andrew passed on his riding knowledge to other riders at the Dilmun as he took on the role of instructor.

Kathyrn Spink has to be mentioned for her bravery and tenacity as it is almost a year to the day she broke her arm in a riding accident.

For six months she was unable to ride, missing the league, but, more importantly, missing her passion of being able to get on her horse.

Once the pins were removed Kathyrn, assisted by Hussein, started the journey to rebuild her confidence. It has been another outstanding achievement as it takes huge courage and determination to get back on the saddle after such an accident.

Kathryn will go off to Hartpury College this year to study Equine Management. Of course, as soon as she is able her horse will join her as this college has some of the best equine facilities in the UK. She is sad to be leaving Bahrain and all her friends but there are many new adventures ahead and Kat is very much looking forward to eventing in the UK.

Another lady returning home is Michaela Rizzo, who has definitely got the competing bug now. Thanks to Basel, her instructor, assisting her in negotiating his somewhat tricky courses, she is set to take Malta, her home country, by storm.

The evening at Candles Restaurant was a huge success, albeit somewhat of an emotional one, with everyone going home with trophies, smiles, memories and thoughts of new beginnings.

In recent days the Dilly has kept itself busy despite not having any more league shows to stage. The stable has been promoting its ‘adopt a pony’ summer holiday scheme which has proved very popular across all age groups. The scheme involves all aspects of pony care, grooming, helping to feed and wash, and, of course, the essential tack cleaning as well as riding.

Also, instructor Carina Abdulrahman, decided to join forces with Riders4Helmets, an organisation dedicated to making riders wear safety helmets at all times. It has a Facebook page and a website, campaigns tirelessly and even holds web seminars.

Carina and the Dilmun team decided to take up the challenge of helping to promote International Hat Awareness Day, running its own campaign.

All owners and riders signed a pledge to always wear helmets when handling their horses, and even the grooms signed the pledge. 

Many of the younger club members designed posters and the stable ran mini lectures and Carina sent the details off to Riders4Helmets who have published it on its page.
l I will sign off the column today till the season re-starts in September. Until then, don’t forget to share those summer riding stories. If you do anything of interest during the holidays that you would like to let our readers know, send me the details.

If it’s quaint or quirky, or just plain fun, I would love to hear about it...and that includes photos. If you are in another country riding, send a snap in, or if you find a photo that makes you smile.

Hopefully by September, we can start the season off with good news about glanders. Until that time, enjoy your horses, keep yourself and them safe and happy, and have a wonderful summer.

DILMUN STABLES SHOW JUMPING LEAGUE STANDINGS
Adults: 1 Dani Shaw / Rangerino, 2 Fran Downes / Lollypop Man, 3 Fahad Aldossari / Tayar, 4 Hamad Fakhrawi / Kuwait, 5 Sharon Nicklin / Mia Vita, 6 Manal Fakhrawi / Kuwait.

Juniors: 1 Aime Keen / Sedona, 2 Hannah van Der Eyken / Billy, 3 Ma’oof Rumaili / Kuwait, 4 Sami Mendis / Tutu, 5 Charlotte Gumby / Magnum, 6 Tamara Aolmari / Skippy.