Too Hot To Trot

WITH the sun shining and a slight breeze in the air the end-of-season Dilmunia Show Jumping Championship got off to a bright start.

The juniors with their trainers walked the course early last Friday while parents and grooms waited with their horses.

The competition was extremely tough as eight out of the 12 riders in the opening Junior 1 class showed determination by having clear rounds. In the jump-off it was Maayof Al Romaihi on Mashallah who took first place with a time of 35.79. Aimee Keen on DJ Fleur and Al Romaihi on Granus were close behind taking second and third, respectively.

For Junior 2, the fences were raised to 95cm-105cm in a challenging two-phase competition. Ahmed Al Hashili, on his trusted steed Horse Pride Thunderbolt, dominated this class with the only clear round and took home first place. Al Romaihi on Granus came second and Mustafa Dadulla on Rakheen third.

Ali Essa had a beautiful round on the stunning Palomino gelding Dilmun Mano Kinsky in Adult 1 which landed him in top spot out of 44 other competitors with a time of 40.95. Next in line was Mohammed Jassim on Horse Pride Al Yabis followed by junior rider Ahmed Essa on Horse Pride Alaska.

For the next Adult 2 class, fences were raised to 110cm-120cm. It was Ali Essa again who took top honours on the talented gelding Horse Pride Pascal. Sami Ghazwan on Miss Aalia claimed second place and Abass Yousif on Indorado came in third.

The last class of the day was the Grand Prix and the course creators raised the fences to a mighty 125cm-135cm as 16 riders battled it out. Ghazwan, on the beautiful mare Fairooz, was masterful with junior rider Hussain Dadulla on Dilmun Arko following in second spot. Ali Essa on Horse Pride Uup took his third trophy of the day with third place.

Saturday marked the second day of the two-day championship, sponsored by Horse Pride Equestrian store. The trophies and winners blankets owner Huda Janahi provided for this show were just amazing and it was clear that all the riders stepped up their game in the hope of taking home one of these special prizes.

At 9am the juniors poured into the collecting ring and once again began to warm their horses up on the practice jumps. When the real action started, Al Romaihi on Granus took the only clear round to come out on top. In second was Nidhal Abdul Nabi riding Al Maha Losito Foll and Ahmed Al Hashili on Horse Pride Thunderbolt powered home in third.

Junior 2 was another two-phase competition and fences were raised to 100cm-110cm. Schoolgirl Keen dominated this class with a super fast round on the gelding Rio with an impressive time of 27.63. Abdul Nabi on Al Maha GS Lokas came second in a time of 29.37 with Al Romaihi on Granus securing third place with a time of 28.07 but an unfortunate four faults.

Adult 1 was also a two-phase class. Hawar Stables riders dominated this class again winning all top six spots. Ali Essa on Dilmun Mano Kinsky took the first place trophy for the second day in a row. Ammar Mohammed on Horse Pride Colin claimed second place with Ali Hani Al Yabis on Horse Pride Ajzal finishing third.

After the tough competition, a cowboy challenge was held with several riders taking to the arena adorned in beautiful western attire. They were judged on their costumes and also given a test to demonstrate their ability to control their horses and ride in correct patterns of commands given to them by the judges.

It was a great opportunity for spectators to see a different style of riding. Also in the arena came a rider dressed in a beautiful Spanish costume and his horse danced to music much to the appreciation of all gathered at the event.

The next was Adult 2, a speed class with fences raised to a height of 115cm-125cm. Ahmed Mansoor on BDF Sabha stole the show and took home first place. Sayed Mohammed Khalaf on Horse Pride Denver was close behind in second place and Ammar Mohammed with Horse Pride Colin came third.

The two-round Grand Prix was up next as equine fans gathered to watch the action with fences raised to 130cm-140cm – the highest they have been all year.

All of Bahrain’s top show jumping riders competed and Ali Essa on Horse Pride Elcaro Van Papinglo stole the spotlight and the prizes by recording the only clear round. He steered the amazing gelding around the course with expertise and precision not just once … but twice. Basel Al Dosari on Al Fateh Chika took second place and Abbas Yousif on Indorado came third.

The last and final class of the day was the exciting Puissance – a class where riders jump one fence which is raised 10cm until there is no one able to jump clear. Ten riders stepped up to the challenge with the fence starting at 135cm, which eight riders successfully cleared and at 145cm seven went clear. When it was raised to 155cm, five riders made it over.

The judges raised the fence again to 165cm and two riders, Ahmed Mansoor on BDF Selah Al Dine and Ghazwan on Fairooz, both cleared!

The fence was raised one last time to 175cm. First up was Ghazwan. Unfortunately, his mare Fairooz refused twice leaving it up to Mansoor to have a go. If BDF Selah Al Dine attempted to jump he would win even if he knocked down the fence.

As Mansoor steered his mount toward the fence, all the spectators were on the edge of their seats. The horse flew through the air and barely tapped the fence allowing the duo to emerge victorious!

The show jumping finale was a wonderful two days of excitement and everyone went home happy and already talking about next season. The hard work of BREEF and the generous sponsors were greatly appreciated by all.