Too Hot to Trot

RACING has certainly been the flavour of the week. Despite extreme temperatures the Twin Palms Riding Centre running team and supporters swopped riding boots for trainers and sprinted their way round the Bahrain Marathon Relay’s challenging route.

The team certainly lived up to its slogan of ‘Pace to Place’ achieving 40th overall and fourth position in its running category, an excellent result considering there were more than 170 teams competing on a fantastic day.

Racing carries on being the name of the game on Friday as this season’s events head out of the starting gate. Come and witness real horsepower at the Shaikh Rashid Equestrian Centre at Al Rafah Sakir, starting at 2pm.

The equestrian centre has undergone extensive refurbishment during the summer months and this season there will be family games, kids entertainment and rides, refreshments and give-away prizes alongside the thrills and spills that racing holds.

Entrance is free and all are welcome. If you have never visited the course this  inaugural event is not to be missed and will certainly set the pace for the rest of the season. Contact the racetrack on 17440330 for more details.

* Last week the BREEF (Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation) held a meeting to establish its way forward. It will hold 12 show jumping events this season at the BDF Equestrian Centre in Sakir, the first of these events will be held on Saturday, November 15.

Shakhoora Riding Centre will host a Show Jumping Training Event this Friday starting at 9am to enable horses and riders to experience all the atmosphere of an event without the pressure. Correct riding attire and safety helmets are obligatory. Fences will start at 60cm and will be raised subsequently, everyone is welcome and the charges will be BD2 each time. There are no restrictions on the amount of times horses and riders can participate, although the management’s decision is final.

* Hot news off the press is that top International Show Jumping trainer Ben Murphy, pictured below, is currently in Bahrain working out of Shakhoora Riding Centre.

Murphy has competed at grand prix level for many years. He has trained with top international Olympic riders, as well as riding on the European Team.

Currently he runs his own livery yard in the UK training from beginners to international circuit level riders and recently had 12 horses qualify for the Horse of the Year Show. With a wealth of knowledge he is eager to teach and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, hone and perfect show jumping skills just before the season starts.

To book a lesson contact Jerri Taylor on 33309972, or email jerritaylor72@yahoo.com