A day at the beach

With no shows scheduled for the weekend you would think that riders and horses alike would take the opportunity to relax – well, some most certainly did, but there were those that saw the prospect of a free weekend as an ideal opportunity to pack up and go camping.
 
Twin Palms Riding Centre took 16 of its residents and a whole host of riders to the beach – and whilst building sandcastles was not on the agenda some exhilarating riding certainly was. 

There were several beach hacks organised and owners that took their horses down were able to take part as much as they wanted. 

The horses had a blast, after all, even though this is an island how many horses actually get the chance to experience swimming or paddling in the sea?

Their expressions were priceless, ranging from complete horror at the prospect of actually getting their hooves into this frothing, moving wet monster to cat leaping almost into the horizon, to simply wanting to lie down and roll in it.

Whatever their first thoughts were, once in, they loved it ... almost. Well, there is always the exception, namely, the water shy Cash!

Known for not much liking even a puddle on the ground, he firmly dug his hooves in and refused entry to what must be described as his worst nightmare – though he had a blast on the beach.

Returning home were weary riders and horses alike, a fabulous weekend of something completely different for everyone, leaving all with a taste for more – after all, riding in soft sand, surrounded by clear blue skies with a sea breeze blowing and not a house, office or soul in sight, is blissful. It’s what riding is all about.

Arriving on Thursday from Horseworld Dubai will be a master saddle fitter offering to provide a five-point template of your horse and to check your current saddle fit. All for BD30.

If your saddle needs adjusting they will have at hand a saddle devil, which if necessary, will be an additional cost. 

Saddles can be widened; there is also the opportunity to have your saddle re-flocked.
 
If you have ever had problems grooming your horse or putting on and tightening the girth, or you notice any back soreness it is always a good idea to have your saddle checked – a badly fitting saddle is comparable to wearing badly fitting shoes!

Doctor Julia, an acupuncture and electrode therapist, will also be on hand. Also back next week is Genevive Amy Joyce Equine Manual Therapy. To book your slot, call Jerri Taylor on 33309972. For more information on Gen either visit her website or Facebook page to read testimonials of her work.

BREEF National Show Jumping Championship will take place this Saturday at the BDF Equestrian Ground in Sakir. The format will return to normal with two junior classes, followed by three adult classes and a Grand Prix final.

Lorenzo ‘The Flying Frenchman’ is here in Bahrain and will be performing his amazing act at the Mara’ee Animal Production Show, which starts this Saturday for VIPs and continues throughout to March 22-24.

Lorenzo is a display rider and horse teacher of worldwide fame. He performs with his eight Lusitano horses, standing on the back pair he has complete control of formations of four, six and eight horses at a gallop weaving through his reins, over jumps whilst crossing each others tracks. It takes Lorenzo three years to train a horse to jump with him, his shows/displays are a mixture of voltige, gymnastics, horsemanship and magic.

This is a show NOT to be missed.