Too Hot To Trot

Friday the 13th marked the third training show held at the lovely BDF Equestrian Centre in Sakhir. The show was sponsored by Arabian Store and organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrain and Endurance Federation.

It was a beautiful, sunny and breezy day and riders and horses were in high spirits as the junior competitors headed to the arena with their instructors to walk the skilfully-designed course.

Class One started with 10 junior riders in the fray. It was a one round with jump-off with fences between 80-90cm.

With the only clear round, Ahmed Essa came out on top in 36.63 seconds. With an even faster time of 35.24, but an unfortunate four faults, was schoolgirl Aimee Keene. She secured second place on her seasoned horse, Rio. In third place was Ali Hani Al Yabis on Ajzal with a time of 40.13.

Class Two got underway with 24 entries. In this two-phase class fences were raised to 95-105cm. Ahmed Al Alawi, riding Tyson 2, had the fastest time and the only clear round to secure first place with a time of 34.07.

In second place was Ahmed Essa for his second trophy of the day on Alaska. And, in third place, with the magnificent horse Wanted, Taleb Al Alawi, winner Ahmed’s brother, proved that talent truly runs in the family with a skilfully-ridden round in a time of 36.68.

All the competitors headed back into the arena to walk the course for Class Three with fences raised to 105-115cm. With 24 competitors this class was an exciting one-round speed class with nine fences.

First place was captured by Ahmed Mansoor on the gentle giant, BDF Edward Du Sud. Mansoor rode with speed and accuracy in a time of 59.13. Close on his heels was seasoned rider Ali Essa on Toffy in a time of 62.51. Claiming third place was Ahmed Al Jahromi on the lovely chestnut mare, Evelyn AKJC, with a time of 66.2.

Class Four was the last challenge of the evening and proved to be a very exciting one with 15 juniors and adults in the fray.

The fences were raised to 115-125cm. Several riders and their horses give it their all as they pushed themselves. At the end of a very intense competition, Ali Essa took third and fourth places on UUP and UFO, respectively.

Hussain Dudulla, at the age of 17, was the first junior to compete at this height this season. He proved he had what it took to compete with the adults and with the handsome stallion, Arko, secured second place. He rode with grace and confidence and will definitely be one to watch this season.

Perhaps, the prize for the best performances on the night should go to Shaikh Abdulla Mohamad Al Khalifa. With his stunning two new horses he took not only first place but fifth as well.

Shaikh Abudulla professionally steered the amazing grey gelding, Salah El Dine, around the challenging jump-off class. With tight turns and spectacular high jumping, he secured first place with style.

Not only did he win first on his giant superstar he also claimed fourth place in Class Three. On his feisty beautiful mare, Venus, Shaikh Abdulla showed us again he was there to challenge for a place at the top. It was a very exciting day for Shaikh Abdulla taking home three successes.

I was able to sit down and take a few moments of his time. At a very young age Shaikh Abudulla fell in love with horses but it wasn’t until 2002 that he found his real passion in showjumping.

This summer he decided it was time for him to become a serious competitor. With the help of his famous Bahraini rider and international trainer, Khalid Al Khatri, he bought his two horses. Salah El Dine, a nine-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding, has successfully competed in classes up to 150cm and I’m a big fan of this horse.

Next is the stunning and, I repeat, very feisty mare, Venus, a bay mare who has the heart of a lion. At only seven years old she already shows a heavy desire to win. She has a fierceness about her that makes everyone take notice. She’s not here to play … but to win.

At the age of 27, as a BDF showjumper, Shaikh Abudulla’s goals are to compete internationally and represent the country he loves so much. His aim is to start competing in the Arab League this year with fellow BDF competitors.

He also has an eight-year-old horse named Morning Star that he will compete on with the BDF team in the UAE. “I will continue to work hard every day,” he said. “It’s not just a passion for me but my way of life.”

We wish him the best of luck!

RESULTS
Class 1
1 Ahmed Essa on Alaska
2 Aimee Keene on Rio
3 Ali Hani Al Yabis on Ajzal.
4 Pippa Fourie on Gaurdian
5 Hussain Dadulla on Murheeb
6 Hussain Dadulla on Rainsong.
Class 2
1 Ahmed Al Alawi on Tyson 2
2 Ahmed Essa on Alaska
3 Taleb Al Alawi on Wanted
4 Aimee Keene on DJ Fleur
5 Yousif Al Khater
6 Salman Faraj Argentinian
Class 3
1 Ahmed Mansoor on Edward Du Sud
2 Ali Essa on Toffy
3 Ahmed Al Jahromi on Evelyn AKJC
4 Shaikh Abdullah Al Khalifa on Salah El Dine
5 Ahmed Al Jahromi on Dory AKJC
6 Abbas Yousif on Indorado
Class 4
1 Shaikh Abdulla Al Khalifa on Salah El Dine
2 Hussain Dadulla on Arko
3 Ali Essa on UUP.
4 Ali Essa on UFO.
5 Shaikh Abdulla Al Khalifa on Venus
6 Ahmed Al Jeromi on Dory AKJC

Upcoming events

* The first official BREEF competition will be held at the BDF Equestrian Centre in Sahkir on Saturday starting at 9am. There will be two junior classes and three adult classes.

* The Dilmun Stables has changed the date of its showjumping competition to November 28 to avoid clashing with the Bahrain Marathon Relay. It will start at 9am.