Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Just last September I was approached by the Dilmun Club and asked if I would be interested in leasing the stables. I immediately started looking into its finances and facilities and decided it was something I would like to seriously consider.
In October, however, the club, as reported in GulfWeekly, decided to carry on and try to give it another go under the management of former stalwart, Lisa Powick. She immediately turned the stable from a negative to a positive in the very first month of taking the reins.
Lisa then retired in July and I was asked to step in and manage the operation. I accepted knowing Lisa was a hard act to follow. It was going to be a challenge but it was something I felt ready to step up to.
As an owner of four horses I knew about horse care but managing and teaching children was something I was a little nervous about.
The first thing I did was change the feeding programme. I removed all the bran from the diets of the horses and ponies and decided to feed them only Havens feed. The school’s horses work very hard and deserve the best nutrition the stables could offer them, in my opinion.
Then we started to paint and carry out the easy fix-ups that needed doing. The stables began to really come alive as customers started to see the improvements and they themselves wanted to be part of an on-going development.
My next challenge was the paddocks. The ground was hard in some places and deep in others. I brought in heavy machinery to break the hard ground up and remove excess sand. This was my biggest challenge, for sure.
It took months to get it to how I wanted it to be. The surface is so important for the horse. With bad ground comes the risk of leg injuries and without a large equine hospital in the kingdom or any large animal specialist veterinarian, this was always my biggest concern.
With water jets and daily harrowing the paddock has become an arena to be proud of, in fact these water jets have become my most favourite item. The dust can get so bad and inhaling it is not good for me, or our horses. So the biggest-selling point of the Dilmun Stables, nowadays, has been the installation of the water jets and, of course, our amazing grooms. The stable boasts six fantastic grooms who are wonderful with children and who really do care about the horses and their well-being.
Next under the spotlight came the pony club. I have to admit I was extremely nervous about this. I love kids and I love horses, so, I knew I could do it, I just needed the confidence and some help. With some exceptional instructors, pony club has been a huge success and without Sharon Nicklin, Kirstin Lee, Lee Ann Goode and Maureen Daly, the pony club wouldn’t exist.
How true the saying: without great people surrounding us, we fail.
It’s through teamwork and loyalty that the Dilmun Stables has become the success it has become and these ladies have been the backbone and spirit of the venture.
They always have a smile on their faces and love to see the children grow in confidence and ability.
With pony club in full swing during the school day afternoons and evenings, the fun and adventure continues with pony camps during the school breaks. I absolutely love this programme and it has become one of my favourites.
It also allows me to get to know the children who only spend holidays here because they attend boarding schools abroad and, they always mix well and make friends with the regular kids who come during the week.
The last pony camp attracted 28 kids in one day alone. It was so great to see all of them out on horses and laughing and talking to each other. It really warms my heart to see children bonding with the ponies and horses. There is nothing better in life than to hear a child’s laughter and to be a part of that is more than I could have ever asked for.
With the pony camp the children get to be with the horses for an hour-and-15 minutes before they head over to the club where the children enjoy a hot meal of their choosing from the Dilmun Club’s special kid’s menu and full access to the playground facilities and swimming pool, all for just BD10 for members and BD12 for non-members. It really is a great deal and the best way to get the kids out of the house!
I have been asked by Trot readers on many occasions what it costs to own a horse. At the Dilmun Stables we offer two options. You can obtain full livery which is BD160 for members and BD170 for non-members. This includes feed (note: no bran – only Havens feed), hay, 20 bags of shavings, the rent of the box and grooming.
If you want to put shoes on your horse this is something you can arrange or we can arrange for you. Shoes run from BD25 for a full set up to hot shoeing which is BD60 and remember, shoes should be replaced every four-to-six weeks depending on the growth of the hoof.
We also offer box-only rent which is BD55 for members and BD65 for non-members. This includes only the box – you, as the client, would be responsible for everything-else.
At the Dilmun Stables we worm our horses every four months which is a further BD5. Also, flu vaccinations are administered annually at a cost of BD10. We invoice everything through email and payment is expected at the end of every month. Everything is documented on your invoice.
When you do decide to buy your own horse or pony we will be more than happy to help you or point you in the right direction to find that perfect horsey partner. Horses in the kingdom of Bahrain vary in price from BD500 to BD20,000 – it all depends on what you are looking for.
The Dilmun Stables is the only equestrian centre to offer all the facilities expected of an expat club. With great restaurants, Costa Coffee, tennis courts, football field, swimming pool, squash courts and social life, it really is a family place. We also have a full maintenance staff and security. Anyone can come and have a look around both the stables and the club facilities.
Upcoming event
*Friday’s BREEF show jumping show has been cancelled and moved to March 18, starting at 9am. It will be held at the Equestrian Centre located in Sakhir.
