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THE Dilmun Stables appears to be back on course and thriving under the experienced reins of former manager Lisa Powick after a turbulent spell which threatened its existence.
The executive committee of the popular 41-year-old expat club in Saar was at one time looking at the possibility of attracting a business partner to help operate its loss-making stables after setting up a working party to study its viability, as reported in GulfWeekly.
Instead, after careful consideration of the options available, veteran Lisa was given the chance to turn around its fortunes last September.
“The previous stable manager had decided to move on and I didn’t want to see the stables close. I knew it had the potential to become a lively centre for riders and livery owners again,” said Lisa who left the island in August 2011 as her husband, Ian, a food safety manager, decided to retire back to Australia. Retirement ‘didn’t really suit him at that time’ so he took another job here and they returned in early 2013.
Her earlier experience of building up the stables’ profile has paid dividends this time round and appears confident in the role after a spell helping with administration.
“We have managed to increase the turnover and begin to make up the shortfall we’ve suffered in recent times,” she explained. “We knew we would have to work hard and focus on what customers wanted.
“By steadily increasing the number of riders and lessons, we have managed to increase our turnover. We have introduced week-long beginners’ courses in the mornings, corporate activity days and have held some great shows.
“I had always worked in an office environment and came to the stables to help with administration in 2009. When the stable manager at the time left, the only activity taking place was Pony Club. As I was taking many calls enquiring about riding lessons I decided to approach the committee to see if they would allow a non-rider to take over the running of the stables with more of a business angle.
“Luckily for me they took a chance and I managed the stable for two-and-a-half years before I returned to Australia with my husband. During that time I tentatively started having lessons myself and later my husband surprised me with my own horse. I had no choice but to become hooked!”
Her 10-year-old thoroughbred is called Tayar. She left him at the Dilmun Stables when she returned to Australia and during those 18 months away made two trips to see him. She also bought another thoroughbred in Australia which, incidentally, is currently being cared for by a former Dilmun instructor.
The club’s committee is said to be ‘delighted’ with the recent turnaround in the stables fortunes.
A Dilmun Club spokesman said: “Keeping a viable stables was one of the top priorities of the executive committee and whilst there is still some way to go, we are pleased to have made progress on that promise to our members.”
Lisa, 54, has joint British/Australian nationality and her home city is Canberra in Australia. She has two sons, one daughter and a step-daughter, all of whom are adults and boasts five grandchildren, with another on the way.
The stables is often the first time expat children get the chance to try their hand at horse riding which is often a vastly more expensive pastime in their home countries.
Lisa said: “The Dilmun Stables is a safe, friendly environment and can be a great place to take up riding as a family. We are a close-knit community so if you are looking to make new friends, come along and see what we have to offer.
“We can offer private and group lessons for adults of all abilities and Pony Club sessions for children from the age of five. For younger children we have led pony rides which introduce them to the sounds and smells of the stables as well as the feel of being on a pony before they are ready for Pony Club.”
The stables own 16 horses and ponies of which Polo, at 32, is the oldest, with a further one on temporary loan and two are leased from their owners. They are booked for horse riding lessons and events. There are also currently 17 livery horses on site.
