The Dilmun Stables hosted a spectacular show jumping event at the weekend and the Saar venue celebrated a record high attendance of spectators and competitors.
The show got underway with Class 1, an accumulator, which witnessed fence heights of 100cm-120cm with a 130cm joker fence.
The competitors warmed their horses up in the collecting ring as spectators took to their seats. With not one empty seat in the house, the challenge was not one to disappoint.
Kumail Al Mallah on Queen Fairooz dominated the class with style and speed to come out victorious. With not even one second separating them, Hussain Dadulla on Dilmun Cortez, took second place and third as well with Dilmun Airforce One.
Class 2 was a speed class with fences lowered to 80-90cm. It was divided into juniors and adults. In the adult class, Hussain Dadulla again came out victorious with the great Tornado and second with my very own Dilmun Cortez. I got very lucky with Loopy and came in third.
In the Junior class, Al Jazera stables rider Saif Dwiek on Bingo stole the show and claimed first place. Mustafa Dadulla from Dadulla Riding Stable was quick on his heels in second and the lovely Dilmun rider Coco Desouza on her horse, Tayar, took third.
As the sun began to set, the Dilmun Stables started the Treasure Hunt Class. In this event each fence offered a hidden amount of points to be won. Each rider could jump any course they wanted but could only jump each fence a maximum of twice. Again, juniors competed separately to the adults.
The competition was fierce but again Hussain Dadulla steered to victory taking first and second. He stole top place with the speedy and powerful Rahkan and second with Dilmun Sky. Dilmun Rider and mother of talented young rider Coco, Julia Desouza on the family horse Tayar, took third.
The junior class was also very competitive and Mustafa Dadulla sealed success on his horse Rainsong. Taking second for the very first time, was young rider Mohammed Ghazwan, son of the great Grand Prix rider, Sami. The youngster is a rider well worth watching out for in the future. Coco, on Tayar yet again, took the third place trophy.
The last event of the night was the clear round cross-pole class, open to riders of all abilities. Little five-year-old Kassie Pontifix, for example, was led through the course on Dilmun Toby, by yours truly, and took home a clear round rosette. Others riders included Sasha Desouza on Dilmun Nelson and Dilmun BamBam, Lucas Watson and Alice Gillard on Dilmun Leon, Savannah Colkit and Grace Rodney on Dilmun Sky, Sara Rous on Dilmun BamBam. New to the show jumping scene was Safiya Al Mahmood on Golden Rule and Joanna Chentikian on UH-OH Oreo who both recorded clear rounds and went home with rosettes.
It was a lovely evening and everyone walked away with smiles on their faces and many with prizes in their hands.
It was amazing! Thank you for coming out and supporting the end-of-season show. We look forward to seeing everyone next season.
* The Al Afoo Stables, located in Salmabad, will be hosting a two-day event this coming weekend. On Friday there will be show jumping with three classes. Class 1 is the green horse class with fences at 40-50cm. Class 2 is a mixed junior/adult class with fences at 100-105cm. The third class is a two-phase competition with heights of 110-125cm.
On Saturday a dressage competition will be staged with two classes – Preliminary 18 and Novice 30. Events on both days start at 3pm.
More than BD2,000 in cash and prizes will be shared amongst the winners. Entries should be submitted by today. Contact Ali Ghuloom on 32220272/39663424 for more information.
* BREEF will be hosting training shows at the BDF Equestrian Centre located in Sahkir on May 13 and 20. Timings and the schedules will be announced shortly.