Shakhoora Riding Centre put on a fantastic Equestrian Fashion Show on Friday morning. To start proceedings Yulia Frolova astride Romeo, a magnificent black pure Andalusian stallion, put on a riding demonstration.
Romeo came from Spain in July 2013, owned by Ismail Al Bastaki, and his initial training was carried out by the fabulous Clemence Faivre who stunned us with her liberty riding last year. Romeo’s performance on Friday certainly proved he has all the makings of a superstar.
The show exclusively premiered the Giddyup range of equestrian clothing. Fashion items from this new range featured alongside more traditionally-carried items held by equestrian stockist, June Al Saffar, at Things To Do, located close to the Burgerland Roundabout, off Budaiya Highway.
Giddyup have an extensive range of riding attire, fabulous casual wear to stunning show attire, fantastic show jackets, exquisite ones for the younger riders and beautiful show shirts. They all paraded alongside casual T-shirts, colourful and practical cotton tops teamed with eye catching jackets, matching breeches and co-ordinated accessories.
Gorgeous patent leather boots strode next to super soft leather ones and impressive, adjustable boots walked with short boots coupled with a copious array of chaps.
On display were jackets for every occasion, lightweight to cosy, casual to the super smart, there was something for everyone, including complete ladies jockey attire.
Equine models strutted their stuff on the red carpet also displaying the extensive range of rugs, saddles, bridles, boots, numnahs, head collars and every sort of trapping and trimming for your treasured horse or pony.
The Giddyup range originates from Australia. Many of the items were made in wicking fabric that draws moisture away from the skin, as well as being stretchy and comfortable. This is clothing that is durable and practical and ideally suited for Bahrain’s climate. Other brands on display included Mark Todd, Treadstep, Equitheme, Tuffa and Black Storm. The fabulous models were Kerry Ataba, Yulia Frolova, Aisling Donnelly, Kealan Allan, Kia Jarnfelt, Liz and Oliver Sinclair, Ashraf and Alexander Atabani and Talal Al Saffar.
* Across Saar, Dilmun Riding Stables held its Eliminator competition on Saturday morning. The concept speaks for itself with everyone starting off equal and the winner is the last horse and rider standing – well, jumping!
Fourteen horses and riders steeled themselves in the first round of 70cm jumps and elimination came with either three refusals or a dismount. The initial round saw six eliminated with two retiring.
Any faults incurred in the first round were taken through to the second round of 80cm. At this stage elimination came with a dismount, three refusals or 20+ faults and, sadly, Ulrike Neidermeiser and Skinny were out.
In the final round, each rider chose a fence to be raised and if they knocked it they faced double faults. Elimination came with three refusals, a dismount or 12+ faults.
The final round consisted of Jerri Taylor riding both Arko and Cortez, Kristen Rogers riding Dory, Abbas with Sedona, and Georgia Sim with Laddie.
Jerri raised fence one which thwarted both Abbas and Georgia, leaving Jerri and Kristen to battle it out. Jerri went on to her second clear round and fences were again raised with some now standing at over 125cm. Kristen incurred faults in this round, Jerri retired Cortez and picked up the trophy on Arko.