Juniors steal show

An array of aspiring show jumpers and plenty of supporters turned up for Twin Palms Riding Centre’s event for the junior members of the stable on Saturday.

Although the fences were no higher than 50cm it was still a challenge for the talented youngsters.

First up was a Treasure Hunt – a mixture of jumps ranging from poles on the ground to the high fences. Each pony/horse rider combination had to jump nine fences. They could go over whatever they wanted, for example, the trotting poles nine times, or a single fence nine times.

Each completed obstacle was worth an unknown amount of points and the riders knew that the most innocuous of fences could be worth more points, so it was all about some fantastic riding with a large smattering of luck thrown in.

This class attracted 24 competitors. Some of the older stable members were allowed to enter this class but only on ponies they would normally not have ridden. This all added to the drama. Everyone had a blast.

The second event – a Clear Round Class – took on a slightly more serious nature. Although the fences were not particularly high, the competitors had to manoeuvre round the course in the correct way, jumping all the fences and negotiating the trotting poles correctly. Twenty riders took to the fray with many collecting their clear round rosettes.

Raising the ante, was the next class, a mini accumulator. Each fence was worth its number in points, e.g. fence 1 was worth 1 point and so on. If a fence was knocked down that amount of points was deducted from the score. To add to the mayhem, this was a timed class and the fastest with the most points were winners.

To close off the morning was a simply brilliant event devised by stable owner Anki Holmstrom. This featured show jumps, trotting poles as well as bending barrels which is no mean feat for any rider.

Unfortunately, the infamous Twin Palms Twixstead event that was scheduled for last Friday had to be postponed as the ground for the cross-country section of the event was hazardous due to the inclement weather of that previous week. The event will now be held on December 14.

Contact the stable for more information on 39566809, or email: Twin.Palms.Riding.Centrel@hotmail.com. Alternatively check the website: www.Twinpalmsridingcentre.com or visit the FaceBook page: Twin Palms Riding Centre.

l The Dilmun Riding Stables recently held the second of this season’s show jumping league events, which started with the famed Green Horse class, one for all Dilmun’s aspiring riders to get their hooves and boots into a show jumping arena.

There were a dozen entries and some unfortunate knockdowns, alongside sneaky refusals. Clear rounds went to young Georgia Sims riding her leased horse Tutu, and Nicky Langley riding Tayar.

The Junior One contest also attracted a dozen entries. This was a speed class and the riders took to the contest with vigour. The course, whilst not particularly high, was out to test the mettle of these youngsters. 

It was the start of a triumphant day for both Hannah van der Eyken and Gabby Chakos. Hannah with Billy and Gabby with Tashan stole first place in this class.
 
Close on their hooves were Maoof Al Rumaihi astride the clever Zain Al Butal, and Georgia Sims was back to take home another rosette with Tutu in third place.

For the adult one class, fences were raised as were the stakes. This technical course was made to challenge the discerning minds of the riders. A couple of refusals coupled with some course direction confusion saw riders eliminated, though it was through tenacity and determination that Sharon Nicklin riding Tayar strode home triumphant.

Immediately back to the need for speed in the Junior 2 class, fences were raised in another race against the clock. With horses being eliminated after two refusals the finale came down to Hannah who rode Billy brilliantly to the top and Gabby again joining her on the podium taking the runners-up spot on Tashan.

To finish off the day was everyone’s favourite nail-biting class, a puissance. This really tests all aspects of riding, most definitely the rider/horse bravery combination. The single fence is raised each round and two refusals means elimination as does a single knockdown. Testing their horses to the limit was a determined half dozen, encouraged by an enthralled audience.

The fence was put up at 100cm which all contenders cleared with ease. The next two rounds saw the fences raised to 110cm and 115cm with both heights not causing any stress or problem for the contenders.

In the fourth stage, with the fence up to 125cm, the eliminations began. This is a BIG jump and it was cleared fantastically by Hannah on Billy, as well as Charlotte Gunby riding Magnum.

Although refusing initially, the pair cleared the top height of the day of 140cm, but it was the prowess, bravery and excellent riding of young  Gabby who claimed victory on Tashan at the first attempt.

The Dilmun Riding Stables is planning an event over the National Day Holiday weekend. A trip to Qatar to watch the International Show Jumping over the weekend of December 20-22 is also planned.

Till next week, though don’t forget you can contact me with all your news and views at HelenTooHotToTrot@hotmail.com

TWIN PALMS RIDING CENTRE – JUNIOR SHOW JUMPING RESULTS
Class 1 Treasure Hunt: 1st Jamiela Haseid/ Eid; 2nd Anae Dreyer/ Ruby; 3rd Rania Hanbali/ Zolo, Siddiq AlMahmood/ Dollar, Aneesa Al Mahmood/ Eid, Zeina Galal riding Red.
Class 2 Clear Round: Luna Dreyer/ Calypso, Rania Hanbali/ Zolo, Anae Dreyer/ Ruby, Bella Rushton/ Zain, Amani Hassan/ Dollar, Keshia Smith/ Rakard, Imogen Rushton/ Lime, Sifiya AlMahmood/ Apollo, Manon Cote/ Bling, Aneesa Al Mahmood/ Eid, Jamiela Haseid/ Eid, Lucy Lunt Bell/ Aramis, Ziad Al Mahmood/ Lime, Elena Bottero/ Ruby.

Class 3 Mini Accumulator: Junior A’s - 1st Luna Dreyer/ Calypso, 2nd Jamiela Haseid/ Eid, 3rd Maya Shaban/ Jasper, 4th Bella Rushton/ Red, 5th Molly Wharton/ Santa, 6th Amani Hassan/ Dollar.

Junior B’s - 1st Manon Cote/ Bling, 2nd Rania Hanbali/ Soda, 3rd Lucy Lunt Bell/ Aramis.

Class 4 Obstacle Challenge: Junior A’s - 1st Maya Shaban/ Jasper, 2nd Luna Dreyer/ Calypso, 3rd Bella Rushton/ Red, 4th Amani Hassan/ Dollar, 5th Jamiela Haseid/ Eid, 6th Molly Wharton/ Santa.

Junior B’s - 1st Mariella Forward/ Dollar, 2nd Rania Hanbali/ Soda, 3rd Lucy Lunt Bell/ Aramis, 4th Manon Cote/ Bling.